I have a good client who has given me a lot of business and asked me to take care of his wife to help her move her practice from one location to another. The phone system has 16 extensions with a main unit connecting to 3 outside lines. There is also Comcast Internet coming into the new location.

I have to tear down the old location and move the equipment to the new location and add a switch and punch down the phone lines. The new location was wired with Cat5 (568b) from the demarc room to all computer and phone stations by another contractor who seemed competent but doesn't want to finish out the system.

The client wants me to bid the job flat rate but it has been my experience to quote hourly plus materials on the job because this could take three days or five days if we encounter any surprises.

I wanted to know if any of you would succumb to the temptation to quote a flat rate or stick to your guns with T & M. I normally wouldn't even think of flat rate other than this client was referred to me by her husband.

Thanks in advance for any feedback.

That job sounds like t & m to me.
It could go smooth or it could be full of issues that you won't know about until you really dive in

T&M only, or take your flat fee, double it and add 30%.
Moves always take longer than expected, and T&M will keep you protected.

Thanks for the responses.

I thought so.

Add ons will kill you if you flat rate. Joe wants different buttons programmed on his phone. Sue needs a new label. Voice mail should be reconfigured. I would respectfully suggest that you consider taking your number, whatever it is, and consider all the possible time you might spend on the job. Give the customer a bid saying it will be this amount of money, but you maintain the right to increase the fees depending on things you don't see right now.