system setup/config

Hi all -

I am frequently asked to give an estimate on how many hours it would take to
do a certain setup, load, config, etc of a system... I try the best I can to
estimate the work to be done, but it seems like I either way over estimate or
way under estimate to task(s). Does anyone know of any "IT standard" out there
for doing certain/common tasks on computers?  Like for instance, in the
automotive maint industry there canned standards for like "changing a timing
belt" or replacing a "water pump", and it gives a value of time.  So for like
say a new Sun X server system with a disk array and tape library and
whathaveyou, plus say a few workstations, to load X amt of apps, and create X
amt of user accts,  the setup time would be...?  I know it is very variable,
but isn't there some canned data out there for this?  It would be nice to have
to show my customers it is not just a WAG.

Les L. Greene
UNIX Sys Admin
The Boeing Company
Global ITI Engagement
S50/F1302
El Segundo, CA
310-416-0390