Tasks are considerably over time that is listed.

The mentioned times are based on 3-star items used by happy Sims. This is a task with Johnny and supposed to take 1 hour.
Your Sims have the dirty cloud around them and the background of their little pictures is probably red, so they are sad. That’s why they need way longer for the tasks. The solution is to take care of your Sims. Inspired Sims are way faster than sad Sims,

I inspired every single one of my Sims to disprove that. A task going from 1 hour to 4 while spending SP or 8 while spending Simoleons is not due to a sad sim. It's a problem with the game. No item is required for the task, so again you are incorrct. The number of stars doesn't matter if the task doesn't require an item. If you don't understand the problem, refrain from trying to give solutions.

There’s no need to be rude!

The Sims in your screenshot, except Johnny, are smelly and sad, not inspired and not happy.  If you had shown a screenshot with an at least happy Sim talking to Johnny, I would not have answered.