Reply #14: Well, plenty of small companies already do time+materials.

[eyesroll]

Painters, roofers, auto mechanics, maid services, plumbers... many of those types of companies do some version of time+materials, rather than flat pricing. A lawyer will charge per hour, and tack on charges for phone, postage, etc.

I'm not suggesting making it a law or anything -- just simply as a way for the businesses to account for the fact it takes longer, and requires more expensive products, for some customers, without putting a "black hair surcharge" (or, for that matter, a "female hair surcharge") on the bill.