# Linear-metre quote trap

**Source:** Michael's mate, story overheard while visiting a friend's office. ~July 2026.

## Story
- Friend quoted a job **per linear metre** for a curves job with lots of quantity.
- Once he was in, the principal got **machining to do most of the volume**, leaving him with the fiddly bits-and-pieces.
- Principal asked him to do the bits at the **same linear-metre rate**. He said yes without thinking.
- Got shafted: slow fiddly work paid at a rate meant for runs. Hours burned, no margin.

## Lesson
- **Quote linear-metre rates for runs only.** When scope shifts and you're left with fiddly bits, re-quote — day rate or per-item, not as an extension of the original rate.
- **"Same rate" is never the answer when the work changes character.** Runs vs fiddly are different jobs wearing the same name.
- Before saying yes to extra work at the original rate, ask: *"Would I have quoted this rate if the whole job was fiddly bits?"* If no, renegotiate.

## When to surface this
- Rocky quotes a job per lm/m²/m³ and the quantity is significant.
- Mid-job, principal tries to add scope at the original rate.
- Any conversation starting with "can you do the bits and pieces on the same rate".