.. Unless I can clearly
define exactly what is to be done I always try to charge by the hour.


'define exactly what is to be done' :-((

When I was working for myself, a prospective customer asked me to call and
give a quote (here is another point, beware a 'quote' and an 'estimate'). I
called, they told me what was wanted, I explained how it would be done, sent
them a quote outlining what I had said on the visit, followed it up later to
be told "Oh your details were so good we did it ourselves thank you"

Mike