You are in a service business. Dealing with customers that sometimes make your job more challenging is part of the deal. I'd be as kind and patient as possible, while at the same time maintaining a business-like air. "Excuse me, Mrs. Smith; I had better get back to work." "I really can't stop what I'm doing right now; I'll be with you shortly."

Unless it cuts into you getting on to another client and throws your whole week out of alignment since you are charging by the hour it just means she is going to be paying a little more for the extra time. That is one reason to charge by the hour - a situation where you might come up short if you were instead being paid a pre-determined amount based on a bid or estimate.

With some clients it does seem the social interaction is part of what they are paying for. I've been on a site working as an assistant to another gardener, applying herbicide and seen a second gardener from another company (her own) chat with the client just about the whole time I was there. If the customer doesn't think it matters that they are paying you to shoot the breeze, then maybe it doesn't.

This is so, so common. Clients at any age can be lonely, it's human nature. I know this sounds a little cold but, I often find myself making money to be someones garden friend or being paid to tour a client's garden. I do a lot of gushing over their plant choices and I even find myself doing a little marriage counseling (aka: listening without judging). It's not what I signed up for, but I'm good at it and I make money doing so. Those are also many of my best clients that keep-a-calling.

Thanks guys, for putting me back into perspective.

I have been working way too many long days and its starting to wear on my better manners. You are all, of course, correct.

That day I had to take an irrigation timer back into town for a replacement, the new one I had just installed was defective. This has never happened before and I was not happy about loosing the time = money. But it was not the clients fault and I didn't feel I could bill her to install it twice.

O well, the new one works like a charm, the the irrigation store was 'sorry for my trouble'

I am taking 3 days off starting tomorrow and will look at things with a kinder light by Monday I am sure.

Thanks again, debinca