"Can you just change this one thing?" is the phrase that kills freelance profit margins. Without a clear definition of what a revision is—and isn't—you are inviting a client to redesign the entire project for the price of one.
Before you start your next sprint, use our AI Contract Scanner to ensure your revision policy is ironclad.
1. What is a Revision?
A revision is a minor adjustment to an already approved direction. It is not a complete redo.
- Revision: Changing a font, swapping an image, or fixing a typo.
- Pivot (New Project): Changing the entire brand strategy or adding a new feature.
2. The Power of "2 Rounds"
The industry standard is including two rounds of minor revisions in the base price.
- Round 1: Client reviews the whole project and gives a list of edits.
- Round 2: You fix them, and they give one final set of polish notes. Anything after that triggers an additional hourly fee.
3. The "7-Day" Expiry
Don't let a project hang open forever. Your SOW should state that if the client doesn't provide revision notes within 7 days of delivery, the milestone is considered "Accepted" and the final invoice is due.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What if I made the mistake?
If the "revision" is to fix a bug you introduced or a typo you made, it doesn't count toward the client's revision limit. As a Software Engineer, I always fix my own regressions for free.
Should I bill for revisions on the final invoice?
Yes. If the client went to "Round 3," add a separate line item: "Additional Revision Round (3.5 hours)" to your professional invoice.
How do I say 'No' to a 5th round of edits?
"I'd love to help with these changes! Since we’ve completed our two included revision rounds, I’ll start a new invoice for these edits at my standard hourly rate."