TIL I was saying yes to every client request without a scope change form

Last month I had a client add 4 extra pages to a website project I quoted for 3. I kept saying 'sure no problem' because I hate conflict. Then my friend Sarah who also freelances asked me how I track scope creep and I realized I didn't even have a change request form. I lost about $200 worth of time on that one project alone. Has anyone else had a client push way past the original agreement and how do you handle it without sounding difficult?

3 comments

3 Comments

scott.alex6d ago

Oh man, that's rough. I once had a client ask for "just a few tiny tweaks" that turned into me completely redesigning their entire navigation system for free.

abby_fisher5d ago

Actually I kinda see it the other way. Sometimes saying yes builds trust and leads to better long term relationships and referrals. I've had clients who pushed scope early on but later sent me huge projects because I was flexible. The trick isn't saying no to everything, it's having a system. I keep a simple google doc where I track every "extra" request with estimated time. When I meet with the client I just show them the list and say "hey we went about 4 hours over on these, want me to wrap that into the next invoice or do you want to cut some of the recent adds?" They usually just pay it without a fight because I already did the work and they can see it was reasonable.

henry_anderson546d ago

Start watching for the GENTLE ones who say things like "I trust your expertise" right before they ask for free work. Those are the ones who'll drain your time if you let them.