How do you handle clients who keep adding small requests without paying more?

I've been freelancing for about a year now, and I keep running into this issue. A client will agree on a project scope, but then they start asking for little extra things here and there. Like last week, I designed a logo, and after approval, they wanted three different color variations for free. It eats into my time and profit. How do you guys deal with this? Do you have a clear policy in your contracts? I'm worried about losing clients if I push back too hard.

3 comments

3 Comments

simon1503d ago

Seriously? Three color variations after approval is a big deal, not a small tweak. Did they even say why they thought that should be free? Sounds like your contract needs to spell out what happens after the final sign-off.

valsanchez3d ago

See, I get why clients do this sometimes. They figure a color swap is just a few clicks, not realizing it messes with your whole workflow. I usually let one tiny tweak slide if the client is otherwise good, but three whole versions is a new job. You gotta tell them nicely that those fall outside the agreed scope and quote a separate fee, otherwise they'll never learn where the line is.

lopez.michael3d ago

Wait, they asked for three extra color versions... after they already approved the design? That's not a small request at all, that's basically a whole new round of work. Once something is approved, any change after that should always mean a new charge.