> Things like that will create a systematic overpricing of contracts.
Only if you're dishonest.
Exactly.
Also, you wouldn't want to turn a scope document into one containing mathematical equations and Heisenberg's uncertainty principle.
If there is no trust, no amount of documentation will help you. So unless you're Google suing Apple, clients that don't respect or appreciate your work are better addressed as ex-clients.
Not at all. If you shift all the risk from the client to the supplier then the price will go up. There's no free lunch.
Of course you could be the client who strikes the jackpot because the supplier underestimated the job - in which case you probably won't get a great result.
> Very honourable, and a really good way to show your customers you are confident and willing to eat your mistakes. Things like that will create a bond of trust between a supplier and a customer in a very short time...
Things like that will create a systematic overpricing of contracts. That's not a criticism of the GP, by the way, just of fixed price contracts in general.
One alternative I have heard of is to present a list of estimates along with their uncertainties and possible risks. Keep the client up to date as any risks come to pass or are eliminated. That should also help to build trust between the client and supplier.