Finally pushed back on a client who kept adding extras for free

I had this one house cleaning client in Mesa who kept asking me to wipe down baseboards and wash windows after I had already given her the flat rate quote. After six months of just doing it, I finally told her those extras would be an extra $30 per visit. She actually agreed and now I get paid for the extra work without the awkwardness.

3 comments

3 Comments

the_nancy7d ago

I used to think you just had to eat those extra requests to keep clients happy, but reading how you handled it changed my mind. Setting a clear boundary with a small fee makes sense because it respects your time and shows the client you value your work. It sounds like it actually improved the relationship since she agreed without a fuss and now you're both on the same page.

sandra_moore307d ago

It's funny how that same rule applies everywhere, not just work stuff. Like with friends or family, once you draw a line people actually respect you more for it, not less. Most folks just don't realize how much of a difference being clear makes until they try it.

shanes666d ago

That "respect you more" part is spot on. I noticed it with my buddy who always let people crash at his place. Soon as he started saying "nah not tonight" people actually started texting ahead instead of just showing up. Same thing with my sister and her kids. She stopped being the mom who says yes to everything and now they actually listen when she puts her foot down. It's like people smell the hesitation and push harder. Once you lock it in and mean it, the whole dynamic shifts. Hard to explain but you can see it everywhere once you start looking.