Scope creep
Effective hourly rate after scope creep
Turn “I worked too much” into one number. Divide the fee by hours you actually worked — including unpaid creep.
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Short answer
How do I calculate my effective hourly rate after scope creep?
Divide the project fee by the hours you actually worked, including unpaid scope. Log each out-of-scope ask and time spent. Use the number to raise your next fee, send a change order next time, or cut free work.
Why “I feel overworked” is not enough
Feeling alone does not change the next quote.
One number — fee divided by hours actually worked — makes unpaid creep visible.
The simple formula
Effective hourly rate = project fee divided by hours actually worked.
Hours actually worked = planned hours + unpaid creep hours. That includes extra rounds past the cap, “quick” extras, Slack drip, and rework outside the agreement.
For example, a €3,000 project with 60 hours worked is €50 per hour. If unpaid creep pushed you to 90 hours, the effective rate is about €33 per hour.
Use your own fee and log. Do not borrow someone else’s target rate as a rule.
How to log the unpaid hours
Start from the agreed scope so you know what was included.
Log each out-of-scope ask with a date, a short description, and time spent — even a rough daily total beats nothing.
Separate in-scope polish, unpaid expansion, and paid change orders.
If you want a structured file, ScopeGuard — €9 is a one-time Excel or Google Sheets tracker with a creep log and change-order rollup. Compare options on the ScopeGuard tracker page.
Track it in ScopeGuard
ScopeGuard keeps the log honest so the next quote is based on hours you actually worked.
What to do with the number
Raise the next fee if the effective rate is below what you need.
Change-order the same ask next time instead of absorbing it. See how to write and how to price.
Cut free work with clearer exclusions and revision caps. See SOW exclusions and revision rounds.
When the next ask lands mid-project, use push-back on scope creep.
FAQ
Do I need exact minutes?
No. An honest daily or weekly log beats nothing. Refine later.
Should I tell the client my effective rate?
Usually no. Use the number for your pricing and boundaries. Share fee and timeline updates, not your internal math.
What if I never logged the last project?
Estimate once from your calendar, then start a clean log on the next project.
If you want tools later
You do not need these to use the guide. One-time files.
Also: change-order email page · blank change-order template · Payhip store
Not legal advice. Match your contract and local rules. This is a process aid, not a lawyer.