If your client wants to change the direction of the project and doesn't want to pay for it, let us offer some advices:


Tips

  1. First, make sure that your contract states clearly what will happen if there is a change in direction. If not, then ask yourself what kind of client you want to work with. If this isn't something you want to do, then perhaps it's time to move on and find more compatible clients.
  2. Second, if this is something that can be worked out with your client and your agreement does allow for changes in direction, then make sure that both parties agree on how much money will be spent on these changes before they are made. You may even want to consider setting aside some money in an escrow account just in case something goes wrong later down the road.
  3. If the client is changing the scope of the project, make sure you get them to sign off on the new scope before moving forward. That way, you'll have a clear understanding of what you're working toward with your client.
  4. You might also ask your client if they'd like to add more money to the project to account for any additional work that has been requested or required by the new requirements. You could even provide them with an estimate of how much it will cost them based on your current rate and total hours, which will help them understand what sort of impact this change will have on their budget (and yours).
  5. If there are multiple changes being requested at once, try breaking down each request into its own individual task and estimate how much time each one would take. This way, your client can see exactly what they're getting into before agreeing to anything more than one change at a time—and it's easier for you as well!
  6. If they're still unwilling to pay for any additional work, you may need to consider whether you want to continue working with them. If so, you should negotiate payment in advance for future revisions. If not, it's best not to waste time trying to convince them otherwise.

Dialogue Examples

Example 1

Client: I want to change the direction of my project.

Freelancer: What do you mean?

Client: I want the design to be more modern, and I want a new logo.

Freelancer: The design is already fully designed and ready for implementation. If you want to change it now, it will take time for me to redesign it and for you to review again. Also, I don't think we can make any changes to the logo right now as that has already been implemented on your website.

Client: Ok, then let's just change the color scheme of my website so that it looks more modern.

Freelancer: But that would mean creating new graphics assets which will cost money. Is this something we can afford right now?


Example 2

Client: Hello, I want to change the direction of the project.

Freelancer: Okay, what do you want to change?

Client: I want to add more content to my website and it will take a week or more.

Freelancer: It's going to take more time than we agreed on.

Client: But it is important for me.

Freelancer: Sorry, but we have already finished most of your project and now you want to change it without paying extra money. If you want it done, then you have no choice but paying extra money for the work we have done so far.


Example 3

Client: Hi, I've been thinking about this project, and there's something that I think would be really cool to add.

Freelancer: Okay, what do you have in mind?

Client: Well, we want to be able to send out newsletters to our customers every month. We want them to be able to sign up for newsletters and also change their preferences. So if they're not interested in receiving a newsletter anymore, they can unsubscribe. And if they want more than one newsletter per month or less than two per month, they can adjust those settings too.

Freelancer: That sounds great! But any additional work that is requested means extra budget as stated in our contract. So, we should talk about the extra budget before I embark on adding the feature you mentioned.

Client: Okay, cool! How much would this extra work cost?