How do you coordinate a time-sensitive shoot?

I'm not sure that I phrased the title properly, but I just finished a job to shoot some decorations for a wedding. When I got to the venue, the decorations were not ready, so I had to wait around for a while. How do you handle a situation like this? Do you charge the client for the full time that you are there, letting them know this in advance? Do you tell the client to notify you when it's time to shoot? I'd like to avoid wasting anyone's time.

I shoot commercial work by the hour since its the only way to make sure your client organizes efficiently. Otherwise, 50% of your time will be wasted.

Expect every shoot to start 30 minutes to 1 hour later than you initially planned. Also expect it to last 20% to 50% longer than you planned. If you hit anything below those metrics, it's a success!! Especially when there's a third party involved (set decorator, makeup and/or hair artist, stylist, etc)

I get a very strange feeling when things run perfectly on time. It's the "Am I forgetting something?" feeling.
If I have free time I start to panic.

sspellman wrote in post #14941854
I shoot commercial work by the hour since its the only way to make sure your client organizes efficiently. Otherwise, 50% of your time will be wasted.

So you whatever time is specified as the start time is when you start charging them?

JacobPhoto wrote in post #14944453
Expect every shoot to start 30 minutes to 1 hour later than you initially planned. Also expect it to last 20% to 50% longer than you planned. If you hit anything below those metrics, it's a success!! Especially when there's a third party involved (set decorator, makeup and/or hair artist, stylist, etc)

This is fine for long jobs, but what if it's a one or two hour job. Lots of wasted time there.

zagiace wrote in post #14945102
I get a very strange feeling when things run perfectly on time. It's the "Am I forgetting something?" feeling.
If I have free time I start to panic.

Haha! I know what you mean. The extra time lets you think about what you need to do.