Did I deal with a client squeezing extra work properly?

Question

I estimated X hours. As I showed them the progress, they started adding more things to do that was outside what was expected or was not portrayed in the beginning.

I asked for 50% of the original estimate (tiny budget) but they want all the features that was added along the way until even half of the agreed upon payment that was supposed to have been made earlier on.

I thought if they can't even pay 50% of the budget when I reached alpha stage, and that they are wanting all these extra features, I simply must bill them for more. I billed them for another X hours including the extra time that went in implementing their other requests.

What should I do at this point? It's likely that this client will walk away and probably attempt it with another freelancer. I've decided it's not worth it and other they agree to the new X hours and allow me to finish.

It's super complicated now. I totally regret doing jobs on these freelancer websites.

Answer 1

You're a victim of scope creep. It's not uncommon, it happens to many, including yours truly.

Possibly the ideal way to head it off before it happens is to create a mutually-agreed upon list of features for the current project or iteration, and set it in stone. Add requests for additional features or changes to a list and revisit that at a later point. Focus on the current scope first. If the client must have the feature/change done sooner, then discuss the possibility of trading off a feature. If not, then work on a revised time/cost budget. Ideally the details of how this work are built into your contract. If not, get an agreement in writing.

Answer 2

It seems that you need to formalize your change-request process a bit better. Yes, allow the client to make changes along the way. But if you are charging 50% up front for the initial project, generate an estimate on the change requests also and charge 50% on the change request before starting any work. You have to be fair to yourself. If a client figures out that you're not going to establish good boundaries about the work you're doing for them, then they will drive you into the ground. There's no reason to be too upset about it, just handle your business better up front so you won't be disappointed in the end.

Answer 3

I'd firstly say: don't do cheap underpriced projects!

Now, you conduct seems OK. I would do the same. You agreed on one things, they started adding new features without wanting to compensate extra work, so it's smart you froze the work. Don't abandon the client, just keep asking him will you complete the project or not. Once he pays one milestone, go to another, and so on. If the sum is so low and the whole project is one milestone, then simply ask them to pay you 50% or some percentage. This will show you how fake or right they are.

Did you make official proposal by making a list of features and giving your price for that specific list? If not, then it's your flaw and you can't blame the client for that (not saying you have to work for free). For us "share content to 5 social services" means implementing 5 SDKs and to the client it means "adding 5 texts share and binding the text to sharing in max 1 hour".