I do actually what Andy said, I try to be fair if I see customers are struggling, but at the same time I'm not running a charity.
I went to quote a top panel on a ex council semi, it had scabby looking wet dash on it and they wanted a flat finish, sand and cement.
There was a lean-to canopy across the bottom bay window and front door so it needed scaffold.
They wanted a price to chop off, move the rubbish and render.
I measured up and said I'd work a quote out and get back to them. The bloke says can't you give us a rough idea, I said well I ts going to be over £1,000, he starts sucking air through his teeth and his missus was shaking her head.
I actually laughed, couldn't help myself it was so comical, and then I asked if the estimate was too high.
He says try halving it

So I explained £500 would cover the scaffold and skip and not much else, maybe the beads.
They said we'll leave it then.
Some people are on another planet.