[alice]

How many more redesigns does it take before you fuck a project off? - realising they are purposely take the piss and wasting your time.

(And because you intially agreed a set price, you're not being paid for these 'ammendments')
makes me so mad

[lucidcreations]

I once had a project run into 14 completely different concepts!!!! 14! The MD used to be a bit of a "designer" so wanted to help as much as possible. I got to the point where I just said fuck it and they came back to me and chose design number 5 or something.

That was a long time ago, now i right it into my contract they get a max of 3 before incuring additional costs.

[TEnterprise]

Mate if it helps I was on my 3rd month - only reason stuck around was for the "ethics" and "contractual" reasons.

At the end told him to fuck off - which I kick myself for not doing so 2 months ago.

So go do it.

[Brown]

clients. sigh.

be straight with them. tell them that your quote was based on time spent on the job and that the 'ammends' are taking up too much time or are outside of the original quote.

i usually add a 15% contingency fee to all quotes to cover for this sort of 'ammend'. if things go smoothly then the client is not billed.

good luck.

[adras]

I try to get as much out of them (what style, websites examples, colors, font etc.) they like before starting on a project - usually it takes me 2 to 3 concepts to get it right with the client - more when it comes to do a logo design..

[tomson]

up the price if they piss you about - you aint a charity

[mike_m]

Tell them very nicely that the initial price you quoted them was for a certain amount of hours, which would have been adequate for the final job - unfortunately they have used up those hours (give them a breakdown, with your rates included) and if they want more work they will have to either re-negotiate or just pay you an hourly rate untill they get tired of redesigning thier site every five minutes.

And from now on put in a clause in your contract that says (something like) "based on initial intereviews and consultations, 3 mock designs will be made for the client to choose from, with up to 3 revisions on the final design. Any further revisions will be added onto the final bill at the standard hourly rate of £x.xxx" Keep yourself covered.

[mike_m]

but without the poor spelling...

[alice]

Thanks all! Sound words. Indeed, I'm going to have another look at that contract.
I've done over 20 different concepts, they decide they like #19, I mock up a few variations, they like #4 - so I mock up the entire site - as they ask.
Then...
"No, we want it more lively - like what the other firm pitched!"
eh? - why go with us in the first place, then?

So, I've produced another 8 mock ups - if they don't pick one.. then (as a lady does) I'll tell em to fuck off!

[aaron]

20 concepts? 8 more mockups? I think you're fighting a losing battle there my friend.

[lucidcreations]

I never ever start any work apart from the original site proposal and spec without a 30% deposit. So really the other company were fools for putting in a unpaid design, but i guess it all boils down to how desperate they are for work.