I think the calculation usually goes like that: * Take a day to come up with "estimates" for the project, can't bill that time of course. * Sell fantas

I think the calculation usually goes like that: * Take a day to come up with "estimates" for the project, can't bill that time of course. * Sell fantasy gant chart to the customer. * Take 10-20% of the projects time away for "project management". * Actually develop the software. * Fix "bugs" until customer goes silent. If you want good estimates you need to take estimates and project management more serious and get away from that waterfall methodology.