Welcome to the first installment of Ask Me About It, where freelancers can write in and ask me questions about problems they are having and any advice I can give. Our first question comes from a web designer.

I have a client that keeps adding features to a project. We’ve already agreed to some extra features, but he keeps adding more on top. He is not keen on additional costs, but I feel like I need to come up with a walk-away price on this, and want some advice on whether I should suck it up or not.

This is a fairly common occurrence, especially in web and software development, and it’s called scope creep. You’ll quote and sign a client based one set of requirements and they keep adding new ones on- then complain about you going over time and over budget.

I would say that unless you’re really hurting for work right now, give him a walk away price and if he accepts, he accepts. Otherwise bill him for what you’ve done and hand over what he’s paid for. You could also tell him that you’ll stick with the original plans and original quote and anything new you can work out in a phase 2 of the project- new contract, new quote.

If you do ’suck it up’ it sets a precedent where he thinks he’ll be able to just add features at no cost. He will keep taking advantage of you that way. If he’s given you a down payment, bill him for the rest of what you’ve done and send him packing- he can find another designer.

Tags: answers, ask me, clients, questions, relationships, tips | Posted in Advice, Ask Me About It |