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Totally agree it's a reasonable time. I think that it's a waste of time to argue why it takes time to do your work. You'd only write that letter because you f

Totally agree it's a reasonable time. I think that it's a waste of time to argue why it takes time to do your work. You'd only write that letter because you feel bad about charging your client for your time. A better letter if you wanted to write one would be about the benefits you provide and the completeness of your work. I wouldn't even mention the time it takes.

SketchySeaBeast 8y ago
If you're charging T&M money, and the client comes back with "why does it cost that much?", what would you suggest? Assuming burning the bridge isn't an option.
- munk-a 8y ago
  Itemize the bill, break it down relentlessly into tiny components and show how long different facets tied to the feature build took, ideally pin some of the time on them if it's appropriate ("Remember when you guys were a bit wobbly on the background color, well we had quite a few meetings and dev was tied up while we were talking, it ended up taking us about three hours between those two hour meetings and then an additional thirty minutes to redo the change three times - thankfully we held off on testing until we'd all gotten on the same page.") The more explanation you get out there the better, if you're honest (or a good faker) people will be reassured by your explanations - but accept that not all clients are profitable ventures, a customer who can't pay for the time it'll take isn't one you should take on, just try and leave things in an amiable state.
  - SketchySeaBeast 8y ago
    > Totally agree it's a reasonable time. I think that it's a waste of time to argue why it takes time to do your work. You'd only write that letter because you feel bad about charging your client for your time. > A better letter if you wanted to write one would be about the benefits you provide and the completeness of your work. I wouldn't even mention the time it takes. I understand your response, but the (grand?) parent seems to be indicating you don't do that, and just explain that you do good work.

SketchySeaBeast 8y ago

If you're charging T&M money, and the client comes back with "why does it cost that much?", what would you suggest? Assuming burning the bridge isn't an option.

munk-a 8y ago
Itemize the bill, break it down relentlessly into tiny components and show how long different facets tied to the feature build took, ideally pin some of the time on them if it's appropriate ("Remember when you guys were a bit wobbly on the background color, well we had quite a few meetings and dev was tied up while we were talking, it ended up taking us about three hours between those two hour meetings and then an additional thirty minutes to redo the change three times - thankfully we held off on testing until we'd all gotten on the same page.") The more explanation you get out there the better, if you're honest (or a good faker) people will be reassured by your explanations - but accept that not all clients are profitable ventures, a customer who can't pay for the time it'll take isn't one you should take on, just try and leave things in an amiable state.
- SketchySeaBeast 8y ago
  > Totally agree it's a reasonable time. I think that it's a waste of time to argue why it takes time to do your work. You'd only write that letter because you feel bad about charging your client for your time. > A better letter if you wanted to write one would be about the benefits you provide and the completeness of your work. I wouldn't even mention the time it takes. I understand your response, but the (grand?) parent seems to be indicating you don't do that, and just explain that you do good work.