Transparent Pricing

I have in recent years switched to transparent pricing. 

I provide my services on fair day rates and materials at cost with 15% of the total cost of the project as profit. A running account will be available online and all invoices will be shared. My day rates are dependent upon the type of works undertaken, some require provision of materials or machines to be included in that rate. Some works require specialist subcontractors. 

This system is not so I can be micromanaged or so that I have to provide an explanation to every decision I make, it's to provide clarity, nothing more. If you see this and your intention is that you will be discussing the cost of materials or where I source them from, please don't. This isn't that, it will not be a collaboration and there is no discussion. Some clients have mistaken my provision of this service as a means to interfere with how I do things thinking they will save themselves money, that only happens at the cost of someone or something else. Usually me. I have been doing this a long time and use the suppliers and materials I do with very good reason. Even if that reason is that they will be available on short notice for another job. That sort of relationship will not be compromised to save a client a few pounds on materials. Nor will the quality of the project or my life. If people fail to recognise this I retain the right to charge for communication. IE. you spend your evenings Googling the price of sand and bother me about it, then it will cost you a fortune in responses. Don't do that... 

My suggestion is that clients see this as a more honest form of invoicing rather than as a collaborative experience.