Paid discovery: price the unknowns before a fixed quote
When scope is unclear, a small paid discovery step can protect the fixed quote that follows. Price the research before promising the whole job.
Paid discovery is useful when unknowns control the final price. Before sending a fixed quote, charge for the time needed to inspect scope, confirm assumptions, and turn the request into a job you can price with a defensible margin.
Use discovery when risk controls price
Unclear requirements, hidden repair conditions, old files, missing measurements, custom integrations, and client-dependent decisions can all change labor and cost. A discovery step keeps those unknowns from being buried inside a fixed quote.
Price the discovery from your rate floor
Estimate the hours needed for intake, review, research, supplier checks, or a written scope note. Use your hourly floor so the discovery work covers admin time, expertise, and the opportunity cost of not doing billable delivery work.
Turn findings into a cleaner quote
After discovery, write the fixed quote with deliverables, assumptions, exclusions, revision limits, and payment terms. Confirm contract, refund, licensing, and consumer rules for your location before making a discovery fee nonrefundable or crediting it toward later work.