I figure that if I work 40 hours a week I get paid for about 33 hours. The rest of the time is spent travelling, shopping, and giving cost estimates.
When (if ever) do you other small timers charge for these activities?
Thanks
bob

It's the same for most all of us elecbob.

After a while one recognizes what is a waste of time and aviods it.

i.e.~
The 'Free Estimate' advertisement always makes the little devil on my left shoulder want to call in from an out of country # , and pose a very grey situation.

Can you run a small business on only 40 Hrs/wk?
60+ for me

I don't own my own business, and I work 50+. Bob, God Bless you, if you can do it all in 33.
I realized the other day that I spend half my life doing something for work, and the other half, I spend on this forum... If I could get paid to post....boy what a life that would be...

Posted Keep Out,
Doc

I try and make sure that I bill out a min of 40 hours. I usually work an additonal 15 in the office and another 5 gets chewed up running around. So I bill 40-45 and work 60. Thats life running your own business.

I didn't count the bookwork and the evening hours spent on the phone with customers. I try to keep the evening hours free to spent with the family cuz I'm on call 7 days a week. I didn't schedule anything for yesterday cuz I needed to clean and restock the truck. Ended up doing 3 service calls. Last year I had a choice to make. Either quit my job at the utility or quit doing this stuff. I quit the utility. The reason? In the office the nail that sticks up gets hammered down. Out here in the real world I can be creative. Problem solving and meeting new people are my cup of tea. People smile, say thank you and hand you a check. I like that.
Did I mention I get a pension?
Bob