IMO, yes it is uncool to have multiple numbers on a fixed price bid.

If this is a fixed price bid (and it sounds like it is) then a client expects to see one number and he knows that he will never pay more than that. Personally, I like these contracts the best because the potential exists for a big win-win situation. The client gets what they want within the budget they agreed on (win) and you can potentially get far more than you originally agreed on if things go your way (big win).

What it sounds like you are proposing is a time and material contract with a Cap. Normally these are good estimates with a caveat/disclaimer saying that this is an Estimate and that the final solution will not exceed this by XX% (usually 10%). Sometimes you can slip 15%-20% through on small contracts because it doesn't amount to much in the long run (at least as far as the client is concerned). If it is going to exceed your estimate because of some fault of theirs (that's an important distinction), you go back to the client and work it out.

If you know the utility is going to take between 5 and 10 hours, split the difference and think its going to take 7 hours. Provided that they go for this (it is within their budget and time frame), if it takes 5 hours or less, you make out (and they are still happy), if it takes the whole 10, the client is still happy (they pay for the original 7 hours and it's only a half day (??) late) and you can chalk it up to a learning experience. Hopefully, there won;t be too many of these. *s*

Good luck!

>As some of you may be aware, I'm attempting to eventually start consulting for a living, as I manage a full-time job, while becoming more accustomed to being a father of my 2-month old son.
>
>I've met with a representative at SCORE, who turned out to have a client who is looking for someone like me, to write some data manipulation and analysis utilities. I met with him at his client's location (a cellular phone retailer), and was asked to make a bid on the first utility.
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>The SCORE rep is interested in helping me get going, while representing his client. He told me that there might be other people in town who, even though they charge more than he knows I do, just might be able to do the job faster.
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>I don't want to blow this by over-bidding, nor do I want to cheat myself by under-bidding. Therefore, I was wondering if a range were appropriate. This first utility is actually going to take between 5 and 10 hours to complete. And, if this goes well, there will be more work to be done for them.
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>So, my question is: Is it uncool to submit a bid having a low and high end, mentioning that my intention is to stick to the low end, as close as possible?
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>I'd really appreciate any feedback!
>Michael Reynolds