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I used to think a 'quick favor' was fine until a client in Atlanta asked for a whole website rewrite for free
I was at a local coffee shop last Tuesday and overheard a guy on the phone. He was saying, 'Yeah, just a tiny tweak, shouldn't take you long,' to what sounded like a designer. It hit me because that's exactly how a client talked me into redoing all the product photos for their online store last year. They called it a 'small adjustment' but it was 40 images. I did it to be nice and they never paid extra. How do you guys shut down those 'just one more thing' requests without sounding rude?
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andrew9665mo ago
Ever notice how the word 'just' is a huge red flag? In my experience, you have to be super clear about what's included before you even start. I always send a written list of what the original price covers. Then, when they ask for 'one more thing,' I can point back to that list and say the new work is outside the scope. I offer to do it, but only with a new quote for the extra time. It feels awkward at first, but it stops the free work creep.
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hunt.jennifer5mo ago
Ugh, I read a blog post that called this "scope creep" and it's so real. You gotta be ready to say "that's a new project" right away.
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tessarodriguez5mo ago
Yeah, that "just one more thing" is the killer. I started sending a bullet point list of what's in and what's out before we even agree, and it saves so much hassle later.
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wesley6393mo ago
You ever have someone ask for "just a couple more photos" and it ends up being a whole new album? Happened to me with a landscaping client who wanted "one extra angle" on their yard shots. I learned to say "happy to quote that as a separate job" and it’s saved me hours of free work since.
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