Start
confirm the ask
Repeat the request in plain language.
Charging extra work guide7 min readReviewed 2026-04-30
Charging for extra work is easier when the client sees the tradeoff.
The hardest part of charging extra is not the number. It is the conversation. A better workflow makes the added effort, timing, and decision visible before you ask for more budget.
Then
show impact
Translate effort into cost and timing.
Close
ask for choice
Approve, swap, defer, or decline.
1
Separate agreement from execution
A client request is not approval to spend extra time. Treat the request as a proposal until the client accepts its impact.
Acknowledge the request without committing to the work.
Check whether it fits the original scope.
Estimate effort before promising timing.
Ask the client to choose a path before delivery changes.
2
Use options instead of ultimatums
A good extra-work message gives the client control. That reduces tension and makes the price feel like a decision, not a penalty.
Option A: approve the extra budget and keep quality.
Option B: swap another deliverable out to stay within budget.
Option C: defer the request to a later phase.
Option D: keep the original scope unchanged.
3
Make the final decision easy to approve
The client should not need to infer what happens next. Put the amount, delay, deliverable change, and approval action in one place.
Include a short summary of the requested change.
Show the added price and delivery impact.
Link the request to the original deliverable.
Use an approval link or change order rather than a buried email.
Extra request pricing checklist
The request is written back in specific terms.
You know whether it is a correction, revision, or new scope.
Added effort is estimated before work begins.
Price and timing are presented together.
The client has at least two clean options.
Approval is recorded before production starts.
Frequently asked questions
What if I already said yes?
If the work has not started, you can still clarify: 'I checked the impact and this changes the scope. Here are the options.' If it is already done, record the lesson for the next request.
Should I discount extra work?
Only deliberately. A discount is a commercial choice, not a default. Show the real value first, then decide whether goodwill is worth it.
How do I avoid conflict?
Stay specific, factual, and choice-based. Avoid blame. The client is not wrong for asking; the project just needs a decision.
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