Invoicing Guilt
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- ridg0026
Quote a client for a job. Job takes more time because client (who is actually a good one!) always has a bunch of teeny tiny revisions and back and forths. And I only invoice them for the initial quote. <sigh> I should man the fuck up right?
- k_temp0
yes, just add some hours not all of them if you want.
But do they know that you'll charge more for extra changes?
- MrT0
Did you say that you would charge for additional time incurred? If not, it could get sticky and is prob best left and the client left/kept happy... unless it's LOADS extra.
- cannonball19782
Hours worked = hours paid (or points on bitch card)
- ridg00260
oh yea they know how I work and bill and all that and they're totally fine with it. Its probably the fact that they're so cool about everything, that I feel like I should knock off a little time here and a little more there. the above was mostly just an observation on my part.
- M_C_P0
invoice for the initial quote but show the actual amount/time as a discount? this keeps everything honest and they know the real deal. then get your overages straightened out up front next time.
- k_temp0
well you are honest in charging extra perhaps add a reasonable amount and not like hundreds more! if you say that the revisions were tiny.
- robotron3k1
it's okay to take one for future work. Lick your wounds and get them back later.
- formed0
You just have to talk with them and be honest.
Personally, I like the flat fee proposal, keeps it all clear. If something becomes ridiculous time consuming I just bring it up "hey, this is taking a lot more time than was estimated".
They'll either say "ok, just send us the invoice" (and you can decide if you want to actually bill them) or they'll say "oh, really? Ok, sorry, we'll wrap it up".
I've had, more or less, equal of both responses. Most importantly, you need to communicate to them it is getting unreasonable.
Side note: if the project is almost done, and you are sure, I'd just stick to the original fee, bring up the extra time for the next project. Get done, get paid.
- randommail1
Life is too short.
If you're getting a decent profit from this work and your bills are covered, then do what makes sense to you and puts a smile on everyone's face. Keep 'em content and coming back to you.
You'll sleep better this way.
- RumperChunk0
Always specify that the quote includes 3 sets of changes. Any more is billed extra.. If you're to open ended, people just never seem to sign off because they feel they can tweak indefinitely..
- abettertomorrow0
What's the going rate for Guilt these days?
- slappy0
I usually just put a disclaimer on my original cost estimate that says "This cost estimate allows for two rounds of minor changes only, further changes will result in additional changes"
And then I explain this when I give them the estimate.
- and I factor in a couple of hours to make those two rounds of minor changes...slappy
- Projectile0
Compromise.
Give them 3 amounts. original, what you could charge them if they weren't such a nice client and *ahem* kept coming back to you, and what you're gonna charge them which is whatever you think is reasonable. you gotta give a little bit of leeway for small changes I reckon. Just like in a normal job you don't switch your machine off at exactly 6pm every day
- 3 amounts, what? Why would they just not take the cheapest then keep him hanging? He has to give one price, thats itrosskemp
- meffid0
CON FUCKING TINGENCY IN EVERY QUOTE, BRO.
- Stugoo0
FUCK YOU PAY ME.
- set0
You need to make it clear at the beginning that revisions cost more god damn it!
- meffid0
8 Hours design @ $150 / hour
10 Hours Dev @ $175 / hour3 hours contingency @ $150 / hour (this will only be used at clients discretion ie additional features not mentioned in spec, additional design work, excessive admin and meeting time)
Oh - and don't forget your fucking kill fee - $1500 (at least half of project cost)
- its_only_me0
The quicker you train your clients the better.
If you let them do what they want, there will be more and more teeny tiny revisions.
- Continuity0
First thing you need to do is examine your relationship with this client. Have you done a lot of work for them? Have they been with you a while? Whilst I'm a big believer is being paid your worth, and not getting reamed by clients, I also believe in the value of business relationships over the longer term, especially when freelancing. If they've been with you for a while (a year+), I see no reason not to cut them a bit of slack this time - IF you're not losing too much from it - but making it clear to them that they shouldn't expect this from you all the time.
Again, open and clear communication is the best way to handle the situation.