Read and re-read Ewests post above. You cannot effectively submit a proposal and budget until you have an idea what the client actually wants and equally important whether or not what the client wants is feasible and/or a reasonable expectation.
Being a consultant also means knowing which projects you need to walk away from. You can't be everything to everyone.
Personally, I would be concerned about a client that refuses to give me enough data to allow me to prepare a well thought out and thorough proposal. This could be a red-flag.
If, after gathering enough data, you decide to prepare a proposal:
"What he is failing to realize is that form and function go together, and cannot be separated from one another."
Discuss this aspect in your proposal.
I could give them a ballpark estimate based on a 1 to 1.3 acre pond, but it seems to me that if I were to include stocking and structure recommendations in the proposal then I basically gave them most all the information they need in the proposal itself. What would they need me for then?
As a consultant you will "give away" quite a bit of knowledge for free. I "give away" advice all of the time (some of it is even good advice
). Get use to it. You must demonstrate to the client that you have vast knowledge related to this subject and that is why they need to hire you. IMHO you need to use the proposal to showcase how much you know. Discuss the effect of the uncertain elements that you mentioned above (surface area, depth, fertility, etc).
As a consultant you will write numerous proposals. Many will be rejected. Leave your ego at the door.
