It happens more than it should.
Project done. Client approved everything. Final payment received. You archived the files and moved on.
Then two weeks later: "Hey, we have a few things we want to change."
How you handle this moment matters for your reputation and your sanity.
First: determine what they are actually asking for
Is it a bug in the delivered work? Most freelancers include bug fixes for a defined period post-delivery (30-90 days). If it is a real bug in delivered functionality, fix it.
Is it a new feature or changed requirement? Billable. Full stop.
Is it something they forgot to ask for during the project? Also billable.
Is it a scope ambiguity - something neither clearly in nor out of scope? This is the hard one.
The judgment call on scope ambiguity
If your contract was specific enough, this should be clear. If it was vague, you may share responsibility for the ambiguity.
For small items in gray area: fix them and document clearly you are doing so as a goodwill gesture outside original scope. Then tighten your scoping for the next project.
For larger items in gray area: acknowledge the ambiguity, propose a fair split - absorb part, they pay part. Maintains the relationship and establishes that you take scoping seriously.
The change request conversation
When it is clearly new work:
"Thanks for reaching out. The items you have described are outside the scope of the original project, so they would be handled as a new engagement. I can put together a quick estimate - want me to go ahead?"
Not defensive. Not apologetic. Just clear.
Building the ongoing relationship
Clients who want changes after delivery are often clients who want to keep working with you. Handle the transition professionally and they come back for the next project.
If they regularly come back with updates and small changes, a monthly retainer often works better for both sides. They get predictable access to you. You get predictable recurring income.
Post-delivery requests are not problems. They are opportunities, if you handle them well.
The Freelance Command Center includes a client tracker with full project history. EUR 17.
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