Thanks for the insights. I did "contract" work here in the U.S. for a couple of years because I thought it would allow me to approach software in the same way.

Sadly, I found out that contracting was based on a butts in seats model and was the most evolved attempt at comiditizing software developers.

I've often evisoned doing something similar to you one day where the model approached that of a general building contractor. A model where I work with clients to determine their business needs and if those needs could be met with software. Then we would negotiate compensation for a deliverable. My bid would take time into account but I wouldn't be getting paid for time but for product.