My client wanted a full site redesign in 2 days for free

I used to say yes to every rush job hoping it would lead to more work, but this guy in Phoenix asked me to rebuild his entire 15-page site over a weekend as a 'test' of my skills. I told him my minimum fee for that timeline is $800, and he ghosted me completely. How do you guys handle clients who think your time has no value?

4 comments

4 Comments

riley_gibson191mo ago

I had a client in Austin ask for a 10 page e-commerce site in 48 hours for $200. That was my wake-up call. I realized people who ask for that don't ever become good clients. They just burn you out and disappear. Now my rush fee is non-negotiable. If they ghost, it just proves they were never going to pay real money anyway.

abbyf791mo ago

Spot on. Had a guy want a full site for pizza money.

barbaradavis25d ago

Hold up... 10 pages in 48 hours for $200? That's like $20 a page. I've spent more on takeout during a busy week. That's wild.

victor6511mo ago

That "burn you out and disappear" part is key. They're basically asking you to set yourself on fire to keep them warm for two days.