There's a Reddit thread that every freelancer should read. The title: "Client wants 47 revisions." It has 89,000 upvotes.
The comments are a graveyard of similar stories. Designers who spent more time on revisions than on the original work. Writers who rewrote entire articles six times because the client "changed direction." Developers who rebuilt features from scratch because the client showed the project to their spouse and got new feedback.
But here's the thing: most of these freelancers offered "unlimited revisions" in their proposals.
They created the trap. Then they walked into it.
The $2.86/Hour Blog Post
One freelance writer shared their breakdown: they quoted $200 for a 1,000-word blog post. The client requested 7 rounds of revisions over 3 weeks. Each round involved significant rewriting — new angle, different tone, additional research.
Total time spent: 70 hours (including the original draft, revisions, research, and communication).
Effective hourly rate: $2.86/hour.
The writer had offered "unlimited revisions until you're satisfied" as a selling point. It became the thing that destroyed the project's profitability.
Why Freelancers Offer Unlimited Revisions
The motivation is understandable:
- Competitive pressure. When other freelancers on platforms offer unlimited revisions, it feels like you need to match them.
- Client reassurance. Unlimited revisions sound client-friendly. It reduces the perceived risk of hiring you.
- Confidence in your work. "I do great work, so they won't need many revisions anyway."
But unlimited revisions create a fundamental misalignment. The client has no incentive to consolidate feedback, make decisions, or limit their requests. Every revision is free, so every revision is easy to ask for.
The Web Design Creep Pattern
Web designers are particularly vulnerable. A Reddit user documented the scope creep that happened during a "simple" website project:
The original scope: a 5-page business website. What the client asked for during "revisions":
- Fresh images (stock photography research and licensing)
- A blog section with CMS integration
- SEO optimization for all pages
- Social media integration
- A customer testimonial carousel
- Email newsletter signup with automation
- Mobile-specific layout changes beyond responsive design
None of these were revisions. They were new deliverables. But because the proposal said "unlimited revisions," the client framed each request as a revision to existing work.
What Unlimited Revisions Actually Cost
Use our Revision Cost Calculator to see your real numbers. But here's a typical scenario:
- Hourly rate: $100
- Average time per revision round: 1.5 hours
- Included revisions: 2 rounds
- Actual revisions: 8 rounds
The extra 6 rounds cost $900 in unbilled time. On a $3,000 project, that's a 30% revenue loss. Your effective hourly rate drops from $100 to $70.
Now multiply that across every project you take this year.
The Fix: Structured Revision Policies
The solution isn't zero revisions. Clients need the ability to give feedback. But that ability needs structure.
Define What Counts as a Revision
A revision is a change to approved work. It is not:
- New features or deliverables
- Changes to project direction
- Feedback from people who weren't part of the original approval process
Make this explicit in your scope of work.
Include a Specific Number
Two to three rounds of revisions is standard across most creative industries. State this clearly in your proposal and scope agreement.
Price Additional Rounds
After included rounds are used, additional rounds are billed at your hourly rate. This gives clients the flexibility they need while protecting your profitability.
Consolidate Feedback
Require clients to submit all feedback for a round at once, rather than sending individual changes over days. This prevents the "one more thing" drip that turns two rounds into twelve.
Your Rate Calculator Knows the Truth
If you've been offering unlimited revisions and feeling like your hourly rate is lower than it should be, it probably is. Use the Freelance Rate Calculator to see what you should actually be charging based on your goals — then compare that to what you're effectively earning after revisions.
The gap between those two numbers is what unlimited revisions is costing you.
Break the Cycle
Unlimited revisions is a promise that sounds generous but costs you thousands. Replace it with a structured revision policy. Your clients will still get the flexibility they need. You'll get the profitability you deserve.
Define the rounds. Price the extras. Put it in your scope of work. Your future self will thank you.