I have a client who is constantly threatening legal action against me even though I don't think I have done much wrong and have done EVERYTHING I possibly can to keep the client happy.

Basically, we started the project nearly 2 years ago and had a contract drew up which had a stope of work. The key point here is that at this point the app was very simple. The contract stated that we ESTIMATED the project to take 6-8 months. It also stated that all timeframes are estimates and timing is not of the essence.

Since then the scope has changed DRAMATICALLY. I mean it is pretty much a different animal now. For some part I have charged for these changes but I must have done 100+ hours in free work just changing things to avoid confrontation.

The changes that have been made and because they were made half way through a project have meant the whole process is backwards. Its a complicated project now and without being able to properly plan it has caused logic issues that have appeared. There are things neither me nor the client had thought about that have come up, yet we fix anyways.

I have said a few times that we expect to have a deliverable on a certain date, and have missed this a few times by a few days or so. This has been because one of these unforeseen issues. I still persist and get it fixed.

There have been times when the client went completely missing. 1 was 2 months and certain other times in 1 or 2 week blocks. During which times I have had no choice but to move on to other work as he is not there to answer important questions allowing me to continue development. I have to feed my family after all and can't do that waiting for him to come back.

He constantly asks for changes on the application and when I say no he will argue and argue and argue until eventually I normally just give in and do it to keep things calm. Before so he will constantly threaten legal action though, saying if we are still in dispute he will get a solicitor. I don't think  he has any grounds in my head but it is never nice to be in that conversation with a client. Sometimes tempers flare and I suggest he just go ahead and do it. He never does. 

When I send builds of the application, he sends a feedbag document. When I finish on fixing any items he comes back with a completely new document with completely new items (a lot of the time further changes) and then later blames me for late delivery. I don't understand it. In my head I am thinking why don't you first check against the list I just said was fixed. If another bug has appeared I will fix it.

The threats are coming thick and fast, and almost every week. He is still to this day trying to get us to change things and sending items that we 'apparently' agreed months and months ago on the phone. I don't recall ever agreeing to this.

In recent months I have told him everything has to be in writing, as I was not being accused of lying after every phone call. It is the only way I can guarantee that can't happen.

What do people think I should do?

Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Paul