That 'one more revision' clause finally saved me $600

Had a client last month in Columbus who kept asking for small tweaks on a logo package. Little stuff like moving a line or changing a color. Normally I just do it, but I put a line in the contract that said one free revision round, then $75 per extra request. They hit round 4 and I sent an invoice for $225. They paid it without arguing. Then I checked my old contracts and realized I gave away at least 8 hours of free work last year on the same type of thing. Anyone else set a hard number on revisions or do you just eat the time?

2 comments

2 Comments

taylor.brooke4d ago

That line about giving away 8 hours of free work hit me hard. I used to think charging for revisions felt nickel and diming clients, like it would make me look petty. But honestly, after reading this, I'm seeing it totally different now. We pay for software, coffee, and rent while we're making those changes, so why should our time be the one thing that's free? I bet that client respects you more now because you set a clear boundary, not less. I'm literally going to update my own contract tonight and steal your $75 per extra round idea. It's just a cleaner way to run a business and it stops the endless "one tiny thing" loop before it starts.

barbaradavis4d ago

The whole "nickel and diming" thing is such a trap. We're so scared of looking cheap or difficult that we end up being the only ones eating the cost of our own work. That line about paying for software and rent while making changes is spot on, nobody else is donating their overhead to the client. Once I started charging for extra rounds, I noticed clients actually think harder before asking for tweaks, which is a win for everyone. And yeah, you're right, the client probably respects you more. It's like they see you as a real business instead of a pushover, and that changes the whole vibe of the working relationship.