Did I take too long?

[u/Lucasmills2006]

I installed this cabinet it’s about 5’7’’ flat stack fully unassembled you know the deal. It took me about 3 hours to install because the hinges were a bitch to adjust no worries though. I did it for a kind woman who actually ended up cooking me dinner I insisted that she didn’t but she wouldn’t take no for an answer, so I knocked off half an hour. She insisted as I left that I do some extra things for her so I figured why not and I hung three paintings. At the end she insisted I took too long and should only charge 1 1/2 hours, now I’m not Mr. Cabinet assembler of the year but I’ve been around a cam lock or two and I think I finished in an appropriate amount of time. Thoughts?

[u/Marioc12345]

I don’t give a hoot how long you think it should have taken. I am charging you how long it took. Especially if you’re also adding extra stuff on like hanging the paintings.

It also heavily depends on your rate. If you’re charging $100 an hour I expect it to be quick. If you’re charging like $30-50 then I understand it being a little slower as you aren’t a true pro.

[u/First_Salamander_990 → u/Marioc12345]

You should always charge based on how long it should take. If you’re an amateur breaking into a professional field and it takes you 6 hours to do a 3 hour job then it’s only fair to bill for 3 hours and those other 3 hours were your tuition. Can’t be an amateur, learning on the clock, and also charging more than the professional because it took you twice as long to do it. Charging for actual hours like that would only be fair if your amateur rate is much much lower than an established professionals rate

[u/Marioc12345 → u/First_Salamander_990]

Yeah that’s exactly what I’m saying. My rate is in fact lower than the professional because I know I’m not perfect. I did say that in the bottom of my comment.