Well... when you say yes to the long drive job, your just letting them run your business.. why.
Tell them the price,is the price and if it doesn't work out , just wait.
I do only high end work because I had to turn into a jerk..in their book. where as they were the ones to start by trying to beat me down.
Never again. I work less, and make more. If your truely good at what you do, folks will pay., and new employees are found when they cannot do their job. Its not bein a hardass, its doing whats right. And that is always our own fault, believe me, it took me a leap to figure that part out.
Give your guys a talking to every week, company meeting..remind them of why you guys are the best, try to keep it positive, and always pull a guy aside to talk to them, never yell in front of others, thats my advice.
Never easy, and sometimes your wrong, just remember, its your business.