Change orders
Freelance change-order clause
One clear rule before kickoff: out-of-scope work needs a written change order — and a yes — before you start.
More guides sit on the guides index.
Short answer
What should a freelance change-order clause say?
It should say that work outside the agreed scope needs a written change order before it starts, and that fee or timeline may change. Name what counts as a change, who must approve in writing, and that verbal requests are not enough. Adapt the wording to your contract.
Why put the clause in before kickoff
Mid-project awkwardness is harder than one clear paragraph up front.
The clause sets the rule: new work, written change order, yes, then start.
What the clause should cover
What counts as a change — new deliverable, platform, audience, rounds beyond the agreed number, or a compressed timeline.
Written approval before you start the new work.
Fee and timeline may change.
Optional: who can approve on the client side, and your right to pause related work until approval.
Paste-ready clauses
Short
Work outside the statement of work needs a written change order before it starts. Fee and timeline may change. Verbal requests are not approval.
Standard
If the client requests work outside the agreed scope — including new deliverables, extra revision rounds beyond those listed, or a shorter deadline — Freelancer will prepare a written change order with fee and timeline impact. Work on that request starts only after written approval from the named client contact.
Stronger
Out-of-scope requests require a signed change order before work begins. Freelancer may pause related work until the change order is approved. Slack or call agreement alone is not approval. Fee, schedule, and deliverables in the change order control for that request.
These are sample lines. Adapt them to your contract and jurisdiction.
Where it sits in your docs
Put it in the proposal or SOW near scope and fees. In a longer MSA, put it in the schedule that names this project.
Pair it with a clear exclusions list on SOW exclusions.
If you want cleaner packaging later, Proposal & Pricing Studio — €5 is a one-time file.
What this clause does not do
It does not replace the mid-project form. Use how to write a change order and the blank template.
It does not set the price method. Use how to price a change order.
It does not set revision-round caps. That is a separate line — see revision rounds.
After they sign
Spot the ask. Write the change order. Price it. Send it. Wait for a written yes.
Email wording lives on the change-order email page.
FAQ
Can I still do a tiny free favor?
That is your policy. The clause gives you a default path when the ask is not free.
Is a Slack “sounds good” enough?
Only if your clause says so. Safer default: written approval on the change order itself.
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.