I used to just give a flat fee for a website, now I break it down by the page

For years, I'd just say 'a website is $2,000' and hope the client didn't ask for ten extra pages... which they always did. A job in April for a local bakery blew up when they kept adding 'just one more' section for each type of pastry. I lost a whole weekend and a bunch of money. Now, my new quote sheet lists a base price for five pages, then a clear line item of $150 for every page after that. I send it before we even talk on the phone. It sets a limit right away and makes the value of each piece of work super clear. They can see exactly what they're paying for. It stopped the 'little additions' problem almost completely. Has anyone else tried pricing this way for design work?

3 comments

3 Comments

jennybailey8d ago

Totally get that pain, the "just one more thing" death spiral is real. Breaking it down by the page is the only way to save your sanity and your profit margin. I switched to a similar system a while back and it immediately stopped those endless tiny requests. Clients respect a clear line way more than a vague promise.

evan_grant708d ago

Yeah, the "just one more thing" spiral is brutal. I started itemizing everything after a client asked for a "small blog" that turned into twenty posts with custom graphics. My contract now lists pages, revisions, and even how many stock photos are included. It feels nitpicky at first, but it saves so many arguments later. When they ask for something extra, I just point to the sheet and ask if they want to add to the project scope. It keeps things clean.

iris_barnes878d ago

Funny how a simple list can change the whole power dynamic. Suddenly you're managing the project instead of just reacting to it.