Have you ever heard these dreaded words?
👉 “Can I just ask one more quick thing?”
👉 “I know it’s Sunday, but…”
👉 “I thought it included that too…”
That, my friend, is scope creep — when a project starts expanding beyond what was agreed to, and you end up giving more time, energy, or deliverables than you’re getting paid for.
The cure? Clear boundaries in your contract. Because boundaries are not just professional — they’re essential.
What Happens Without Boundaries?
● You work overtime without extra pay
● Clients expect unlimited revisions, access, or hand-holding
● Your calendar becomes chaotic and you feel resentful
● You lose authority and feel taken advantage of
● You’re more likely to face complaints, refund requests, or burnout
Boundaries You Must Include in Your Service Contracts
1. Deliverable & Revision Limits
Example: “Includes 2 rounds of revisions. Additional edits are billed at $X/hour.”
Why it matters: Prevents endless changes and keeps your workload predictable.
2. Response Time Policy
Example: “Messages are answered within 24–48 business hours.”
Why it matters: Manages expectations and protects your evenings/weekends.
3. Communication Channel Limits
Example: “All communication must be via email. DMs and texts will not be monitored.”
Why it matters: Helps you stay organized and stop client messages from popping up
everywhere.
4. Contract Duration / Access Window
Example: “Access to the program is valid for 3 months from the start date.”
Why it matters: Prevents old clients from popping back in months later expecting support.
5. Rescheduling Limits
Example: “One reschedule is allowed with 24 hours’ notice.”
Why it matters: Avoids last-minute chaos and gives you control of your calendar.
Phrases You Can Use in Your Contract
● “This package includes only the services outlined above.”
● “Additional requests will be quoted separately based on availability.”
● “Support is not available outside of regular business hours.”
● “Any work beyond [X] weeks will require a new agreement.”
✅ Boundary-Setting Checklist
✅ My contract clearly lists all deliverables and limits
✅ I’ve set rules for response times and communication methods
✅ There are policies for reschedules, cancellations, and scope changes
✅ Clients agree to and sign the contract before we begin
✅ I feel confident saying “That’s outside the scope of our agreement”
Tired of getting “just one more question…” at midnight?
It’s not your clients—it’s your contract.
Download our free Service Provider Contract Template to set boundaries that stick,
protect your peace, and stop scope creep in its tracks.
Get your free website terms template now before another weekend gets hijacked by a client message.
