Protecting Your Time (and Sanity) from Scope Creep

I recently spoke with Bayode Akomolafe, a talented custom website developer who knows the craft inside out.

We were talking about the usual challenges in client work when he said something that hit hard: “You know, most clients are really nice… at the beginning.”

The Scope Creep Story

It always starts out smooth. The client is excited, they’re on board with the project scope, everything’s laid out, and you’re ready to go. But then, somewhere along the way, things start to shift.

A tiny request here, an “easy tweak” there:

“Could you just add this small feature?”

“It would be amazing if we could tweak this, right?”

And here’s the kicker: these aren’t clients Bayode can easily say “no” to. They’re referrals—people connected to people he respects. So he feels stuck.

He doesn’t want to risk offending them, and he definitely doesn’t want to seem rude to the person who referred them.

So, what does Bayode end up doing?

Extra work. Free work. Out-of-scope work. He’s doing favors, all because he doesn’t want to jeopardize the relationship.

But those favors? They come at a cost. They eat up his time, drain his resources, and before long, the project has doubled in workload with no extra pay.

If You’re in Bayode’s Shoes...

This is the challenge of scope creep—the “just one more thing” syndrome that quietly drags projects off track. If you’ve ever been in Bayode’s position, you know exactly how exhausting it can be.

So, here’s what Bayode could have done differently:

1) Define the Scope from Day One

Lay it all out upfront. Spell out exactly what’s included in the project—and what isn’t.

So when a client asks for “just a little extra,” you have a clear agreement to point back to. It’s not about saying “no”; it’s about staying within the terms that everyone agreed on.

2) Clarify Revisions vs. Extra Work

Be crystal clear on what counts as a revision and what qualifies as new work. Revisions mean tweaking existing features; new work means building something entirely new.

Define these terms upfront so you can avoid “revision” requests that are actually brand-new tasks.

3) Outline Payment Terms for Out-of-Scope Work

This one’s a game-changer. If a client wants extra work, great—but it should come with extra pay.

Bayode could’ve included a clause saying that any work outside the original scope would require an additional fee. This way, he’s protected, and the client knows exactly what to expect.

What’s the Result?

Less stress. More respect.

When you have these boundaries in place, you maintain control over your time and resources. You don’t feel pressured to say “yes” to every new request because the expectations are clear.

So next time a client asks for “just a little more,” think about your boundaries. It’s not about being difficult—it’s about valuing your time and the skills you bring to the table.

In the end, setting clear terms doesn’t just protect you. It makes your business sustainable, giving you the space to focus on what you do best—without getting buried under “favors.”

If you need a Contract that protects you from Out of Scope work, then reply "CONTRACT" to get 1 drafted.