Debate: Do you tell the client about the new deadline right away or finish first then tell them?

I used to always message the client the second they moved a deadline. Like within 5 minutes I'd say 'got it, new date works.' Then last month a client pulled this twice in one week and I just finished the work quietly before telling them. They were happy but also acted like it was no big deal. Which approach do you take when a client changes the deadline last minute - immediate notice or finish and inform later?

3 comments

3 Comments

thomas.river18d ago

Finish the work first then tell em. @luna261 hit it - clients that keep moving deadlines don't deserve realtime updates, just drop the finished thing on em when its ready.

knight.uma18d ago

Clients changing deadlines all the time is just one part of a bigger thing I see everywhere now. People treat deadlines like suggestions instead of actual agreements, whether it's a contractor showing up three hours late or a friend canceling dinner plans last minute. The whole "I'll get to it when I can" attitude has taken over, and the only way to deal with it is to quietly play the same game. Finish the work on your own rhythm, send it over, and let them deal with the surprise. It's not even about being petty, it's about not letting someone else's chaos become your problem.

luna26118d ago

Started doing the same thing after a client jerked me around three times in a month. Just quietly finished the work, sent it over, and said 'here you go, all done.' They seemed surprised but didn't even mention the deadline changes. Figured if they're going to keep moving the goalposts, I'll just work on my own timeline and drop it on them when it's ready. It's made my life a lot less stressful honestly. Last time I told them upfront about a new deadline, they tried to push it even further. So now I just finish it and let them find out.