When requested to do a quotation for a new client (either as an employee or independent consultant), remember that the client is typically not the expert. They often think they know what they want for a deliverable, timeline, budget to spend, etc. But often it is based on minimal knowledge of communications, and influenced by misperceptions and wishful thinking. Therefore, it is important that the technical communication professional hold ground on what is factual, and temporarily assume the role of client educator so that both parties can move forward based on mutually agreed upon expectations.