In the twenty-odd years that I have been a consultant, I have tried every possible way to bill clients. I have finally settled on developing a journaling system that is more than time and attendance – it is an online journal that keeps projects, tasks, journal entries, notes, document tracking (inclucing URL) all in a relational database. When it comes to time to bill my clients I print a report which has all the detail of what I did, when I did it, how much time was spent on it and any relevant notes and documents that apply. No more complaints!
It also give me the ability to review time an effort when figining out costing for another project. As well as find notes etc of how I did things in the past on line.
Simply, knowledge is money. My Customers know exactly what they are getting, can plan and I can justify.