Interesting question, bbbkkK
How closely do you track your time on jobs?
Do you give your clients a timeframe when they contract you?
Do you have a standard turnaround time?
I do, for one of the businesses I run. I tell clients to expect the process will be 6 weeks from signing the contract or receiving the inception payment.
If it's going to take longer because it's a more complicated job I say so up front, and am more likely to go for interim payments and the clients seem to "get it" more easily.
And, if the client needs the job in less than six weeks, I'm justified in charging a rush fee.