Pro tip: I stopped saying yes to every single weekend request after a project in Denver broke me

Honestly, I used to think being available 24/7 was just part of the freelance game. Last year, I took on a website build for a Denver startup and worked 12 straight days, including both weekends, to meet their launch. Ngl, I was a zombie for a month after. Now, I block my calendar every Saturday no matter what, and I tell new clients up front. It's saved my brain, but I worry it makes me look less dedicated. Has anyone else drawn a hard line on weekends and had clients push back?

4 comments

4 Comments

sethm581mo ago

My buddy runs a small landscaping crew and had the same issue with last minute calls for Saturday clean ups. He started adding a line on his estimate sheet that says "weekend work requires 72 hour notice and has a 30% upcharge." He says it cut the weekend asks by more than half. People respect the line when it costs them money.

riverb131mo ago

Honestly, how do you actually word it when you tell new clients? I've tried setting that boundary but I always get nervous and soften it too much, so they still ask. Do you put it in your contract or just bring it up on the first call?

williams.luna1mo agoMost Upvoted

Is it that big of a deal if they text you?

alext5213d ago

Oh man, I'm gonna play devil's advocate here and say maybe it IS kind of a big deal if they text you, depending on the client. @williams.luna has a point that some people see a text as less formal than a phone call, so they feel more comfortable crossing that boundary. But honestly, if you're too nervous to enforce it, maybe just let them ask and say no on the spot - it's not like they're holding a gun to your head.