It's all how you look at it. The devil is in the detail. What does "good polished software" really mean? Is it code that is understandable, efficient, and reusa

It's all how you look at it. The devil is in the detail. What does "good polished software" really mean? Is it code that is understandable, efficient, and reusable ... or does it mean trying to achieve some personal ideal of perfect software. Does refactoring provide a business advantage or just a pathway to attempting code perfection? If you are in it for the art, then you need to find that shop that is in it for the art. Many aren't. I'm sure some are. If you are in it for providing outstanding code because it provides personal satisfaction or meets your world view, then great. It sounds like you need to find a way to provide what you want to provide in a timeframe that is almost as quick as the alternative. If you want to achieve personnel perfection and can't find a way to be almost quick at delivering a viable product as the alternative, then either you change, accept it, or move on. You sound like you are competent and have a world view. I would figure out ways to speed up your output (through templates or language choices that match who you are). If your code is great and you develop it fast, the people who are rushing you won't have a leg to stand on. If you are good, you can have it all.