Debate: Should we tell the client 'no' on last-minute changes or just roll with it?

I used to be in the camp of 'just do whatever the client asks' because I thought that kept them happy. But after a project last month where the client moved a deadline up by two weeks and I ended up working 80 hours in one week, I'm starting to think pushing back is better. On the other hand, another freelancer I know says she always says yes and then just bills extra for rush fees, and her clients seem fine with it. So which side works better for you all? Do you draw a hard line on deadline changes, or do you eat the stress and charge more? I'm trying to figure out if being flexible actually hurts my business long term or if it's just part of the game.

2 comments

2 Comments

the_mary10d ago

Depends how much you need the money honestly.

drews5510d ago

Yeah honestly this is so true. I've noticed people act like money is just money but it really changes everything about how you deal with a problem. When you're scraping by you have to take whatever comes your way even if it sucks. But once you have a little cushion you can actually be picky and wait for something better. It's wild how much of life comes down to that simple thing. Like so many arguments about ethics or choices are really just about whether someone could afford to say no.