I did a job recently. It was a combination of services (Gutter Cleaning, House wash, Window Cleaning); the trifecta. So I came out and did a residential estimate. I also offered a 5% discount, and got the job. I worked my *ss off (as I don’t have employees) pretty typical day. As I went through the day, I actually finished the project in a day; instead of 1 1/2 days as expected. After he wrote the check (plus tipped cash) and cashed it, I decided to Venmo/pay them the $100 that I over estimated.
I’ve never done this before, have you?
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I’m not sure if your one of us?
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If your formula used to set your bid is correct and through efficient work on your part you finished ahead of schedule, then you do not owe money back.
If your formula used to set your bid is incorrect and through your standard work practices you finished on or before schedule, that in itself does not warrant refunding money. But, if you mis-bid because you made a mistake in your figures, then it would be fair to refund the overage.
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In most cases, I’m spot on with my bids. In most cases, I take it as “I’m glad I’m at this level now so that’s why I can charge this way”. In any case, I thought I was going to take 5-6 hrs for the first group, but in fact only took 3.5. I’m sure I won’t make this a common practice, I just woke up at 5am this morning and thought of you WC guys; and gals! 
I don’t do it if I bid it correctly. But I did discount an invoice just last month for a high end realtor that gives me a couple of houses every month. That was mainly because I was distracted while doing the count and mistakenly doubled the price. I wondered why a job I estimated for 6 hrs took 3. When I recounted, I adjusted the invoice and informed them. But this is primarily because they are steady clients and they trust me to do the work without even providing an estimate in advance most times. I didn’t want to mess up the long range relationship with them.
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Yep, don’t feel bad, I have made that mistake too, probably many others as well.
Today, I go with the agreed upon estimate, unless I haven’t seen the house.
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Are you working by the hour? No, you are not. Get out of the employee mindset, and don’t ever do that again.
Or, go work for a window cleaning company.
If you get your systems optimized, and you get work done in a more efficient fashion and a shorter time frame, then pat yourself on the back and cash that check and congratulate yourself on a job well done.
I am furious that you sent back $100 to a client who was happy with your work and gave you a tip.
I hope this is a false story.
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No. If you are giving estimates based on the time it will take to get a job done, you are doing it wrong. He should feel bad, he is diminishing his income for what??? For doing a good job in a timely fashion???
The only mistake here is refunding money for NO REASON WHATSOEVER!
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You sound like the kind of guy that gets pissed when your mechanics bill is less than what he quoted you or hates the contractor that can bring a job in under budget.
I don’t believe in karma per se, but do feel that people tend to treat us the way we treat them.
Who cares if he gave some back. It may have enhanced his reputation in ways unseen.
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At the end of the day if they were happy with the service and paid a tip on top that would suggest they were happy to pay the price you quoted.
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You mad? You seem mad ;p
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There’s one opportunity to reduce the bill, in my mind: before they write the check. After that, I think it just looks weird. Like you feel guilty for being successful and efficient at your job.
Most people are happy when you finish ahead of schedule. They can move on with their lives sooner. It’s actually worth more to a lot of people.
Get yourself in the mindset of selling results, not your time.
While I’m not angry at your choice, I do think it was the wrong one from a service business perspective.
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Mechanics use a standard for charging. Its called Mitchell’s on command.
If the standard says 6 hrs too replace a head they charge for 6 hrs. However a lot of times because of the right tools or better tools and the knowledge of the tech they get it done in 4 hrs. Those guys still charge 6hrs that’s the standard and the market.
If said customer hadn’t agreed to the price they wouldn’t of hired you.
I have given discounts in the past and even freebies but not out of guilt
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If you underbid do you do a Venmo request for more money after collecting payment? My guess would be no. If they agree to a price and you deliver, shouldn’t matter how long it takes you
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There is no such thing as over bidding … Period !!! End of sentence !
But try to never underbid 
Ya , but he gave the price, an they accepted They didn’t have to accept !
Unless he has on his website ,or his van is lettered saying labor rate 80hr or whatever an hour 
That’s why I give a price based on the job. Never a price based on square foot or how many or this amount per. It’s 450 for the windows, or 550 for the house wash.
Also what if I decide to really bust it that day an get done real fast.
Or what if I decide to work real slow had a rough night take twice as long as usual. do I get to raise the price ?
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This right here.
Yup , An remember expand the top whole dissolving the bottom , An this takes time.
The phone needs to be ringing , the old customers need to keep booking.
The new calls need to be bid higher than the existing customers.
So all this I bid to high is insane. It’s no way to run a business.
It’s a mind set , it took me a little time to grasp this too.
You can’t worry what someone thinks of your price. Who cares if they don’t like the t then don’t use me.
There is noting anyone could say to me to make me think differently about my pricing.
It’s all about the numbers. Give 20 estimates, an look at the percentages , that’s what tells you what you want ,An where you should Be.
Also supply an demand , right now I’m so busy an the phone is ringing off the wall. So what little space I have will not Be priced out at the same numbers as usuall.
That’s Bussines !!!
This one is getting a lot of exposure… 
