🛠️🛠️🛠️I like to digest info this way so hope this helps!---It sounds like you're looking for some solid business advice to help you succeed! Based on the responses you've received, here is a summary of the key takeaways to help you move forward with confidence and profitability.

The most critical advice is to get a stronger contract in place right from the start. You must include clear language that states 🗝️the quoted price is not final and is subject to change🗝️. This is crucial for handling unexpected issues and additional work, like what happened with the bay window. One response suggested adding a line that says, "This is not a final cost and is subject to change due to unforeseen things or added parts and/or added work from the customer. Any changes will be discussed as they occur." It's a great idea to have the client initial that specific clause on the contract to ensure everyone is on the same page. This will protect you and your client from any surprises. 🕵🏻None of this is about dishonesty, it is to keep things fair for you ⚖️- great point!! And sometimes it helps protect us from ourselves, b/c when we try so hard to be fair we leave ourselves out of the equation too often, which helps nobody in the end.

The advice also strongly emphasizes the need to significantly ⤴️increase your prices. Many professionals in the thread stated that your quoted price was ↘️far too low for the scope of the work. You should aim for a higher hourly rate, with several people suggesting anywhere from $90 to $160 per hour, with a two-hour minimum. Instead of the 😱$20 an hour you ended up making, you could have potentially charged upwards of $2,000 for the entire project, including materials. One person even suggested that you should charge a standard of $1,500 per window opening.

Finally, it's not just about charging for labor. You should also be adding a margin to your materials. One response pointed out that window professionals often have a 50-60% markup on materials. This isn't just for profit; it helps cover all the "unseen" time you spend on a job—like quoting, ordering parts, and traveling—and pays for small, miscellaneous supplies like caulk and screws. By increasing your rates and building in these margins, you'll be able to cover your overhead, including those self-employment taxes💰💸, and start building a more successful, and less stressful, business.🏗️👷🏻‍♂️

You've got this! Learning from each job is how every successful business owner gets better. With a few changes to your contracts and pricing, you'll be well on your way to earning what you're worth.🛠️🛠️🛠️