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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?
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sethm585mo 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.
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riverb135mo 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?
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alext524mo 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.
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