1. "I've adopted the "Truth in Shaping" cost accounting method. (Developed by me, of course)
If someone wants something, tell them that your hourly rate is (Whatever). And you bill by the hour. Take your normal hourly rate at your job, then add for time & a half AS A MINIMUM! You wouldn't work overtime at your job for less, right? If they have a problem with it, dont get upset. Just simply state that this project takes you away from your projects and family just like overtime pulls them away from their family. Why should you work for them for less?
Tell them you will scrap a piece and start over, if you feel it is inadequate. And that is part of the costs. You bill for exactly what you did, and no more. Leave the scrap piece , so the customer can see it. Explain to them why it was scrapped. And tell them you want to do the best possible job you can.
If they want it done, they will gladly pay. If they don't, you have time for your stuff.
If someone wants to argue the bill, stand your ground. Afterall, you are not billing them for the tools you are using, the shop heat, time chasing materials. All those costs add up to. If doing it as a business, you would have to charge a much higher shop rate (after having your head examined)."
2. "If you decide to give a price, make it worth your time. The amount of time it would take someone else to do it has no bearing on the value of your time. You are giving up your time with your family and your projects, and you will never get that back. As far as learning at their expense, everyone does. Anyone that does any project will learn something from it, no matter how small it is. They can always do it themselves and learn a lot more, for a lot more money.
If you really don't want to do the job, tell them to go somewhere else.
Aaron"