I don't break out all the parts when I bill. If I'm charging by the hour, just the time to assemble the list of fittings, and then find pricing on everything keeps me from getting to my next job or project. I used some stuff, and after a while I determine a good average of what the jobs take. This job, I've done it enough times that to keep going back to the pricing and changing it by a few bucks up and down, when I'm losing time that could be billed on the next job just doesn't make sense.
It's also a shorter conversation.
"How much to do this?"
Bam! Normally it runs $XXX.XX
Okay! Let's do this thing!
Just try to get pricing for a sandwich next time you go to lunch. Ain't going to happen.
Say I'm installing a toilet, yes I know........
I can use eight different supply lines, several ways of doing the seal, and perhaps three styles of closet bolts.
I may shim, I may not shim. I dispose of the old toilet. I may be close to the waste recycle, I may not, and the weight of it may vary, so my cost to dump changes.
Way, way too much thinking. Just get it done!
If I'm speaking in front of a group, do I charge more if I'm more eloquent?
Or is it better to be tight and concise?