Debate: Should we tell clients about scope creep immediately or wait until after we fix it?

I had a logo project last month where the client asked for 'one small tweak' that turned into three extra hours. I fixed it first then invoiced them, but now I'm wondering if I should have stopped and warned them upfront. Which side do you lean on - handle it quietly or flag it as it happens?

3 comments

3 Comments

nancyramirez1d ago

Oh absolutely you should tell them upfront. If you just fix it quietly they'll think that's the normal price and keep pushing for more free work. Better to be direct and set the boundary early.

angelamurphy1d ago

My last client wanted me to fix a typo on their site and I quoted them $50. They said "but it's just one letter" and I said "yeah and I'm just one person who needs to eat." I ended up doing it for free because I felt bad and guess what? Now they email me every week with a "quick little change" they think should take five minutes. I basically trained them to expect free labor and that's on me. You're totally right that being direct saves you from that nightmare. I'm still paying for my people-pleasing mistakes honestly.

wadejenkins15h ago

Yeah that's rough, I've been there too where being nice just backfires and now they expect freebies forever. You gotta look out for yourself or they'll walk all over you every time.