That sort of question is ussualy asked by a someone that either has no clue how programming works or are just from the sales team. I do admit I left one software company because of a manager like that that. Fixing bugs is painful(to say the least) if you don't know the code properly. Even worse when you have to "hit the ground running" and take over a project because the main guy for it left "due to personal circumstances" or "difference in oppinion". Ever since then: - "If you think it can be done faster please go ahead." - "It will take as long as it takes, not a minute more" - "if you really want a time estimate: it will take me 4* <time I think it will>"