Clients are grinding me down...
Out of context: Reply #17
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- mantrakid0
explain that before the initial handshake. express that you are aware that you cant always pin down every aspect of a project especially if the client is unwilling or unable to visualize all possible hurdles and side details that may arise in the process. State our initial estimate is for the accomplisment of the following tasks and that additional tasks or development that arise throughout the course of the project will be dealt with on a per-item basis. Explain that sometimes new developments can be worked into an existing project without much (or sometimes without any) changes to the original budget / cost. But explain that sometimes the initial understanding was under certain assumptions and now that you're at that stage of the project, it seems to be a bigger job than was originally translated, and give them a compromise:
- If you want to keep within your original costs, here is where you need to simplify & here are some options on how I recommend we proceed.
- If you want to expand the original estimate to include these new details, here is an updated cost to get them completed.Its straightforward and super simple, and super stress free because all you have to do is be transparent and open with the client from the first moment. The second any confusion, doubt, or hesitation comes up on your end as to whether or not you can complete their project within their cost expectations or within their required timeline, you simply call them and explain it. They will respect you for being open and honest and upfront about their issue, and you will not be stressed out wondering how you're going to give them the world without totally ripping yourself off or wasting sleepless nights doing work you think is unbillable because you have a weird level of guilt probably for the fact that you just simply didnt give the project enough thought or maybe didn't clearly listen to what the client wanted in the first place.