Agreeing scope and milestones with a freelance client

Most freelance disputes are not about quality. They are about expectations: the client expected more, or expected it sooner, or expected it for the same price. Agreeing the scope and the milestones clearly at the start prevents nearly all of them.

Write down the scope

Before any work begins, agree in writing:

• Deliverables: exactly what you will hand over, with counts and file types.

• Rounds of changes: how many are included.

• Timeline: the date for each stage.

• What is not included: the things clients often assume, such as content writing on a design project, or hosting on a website project.

• What you need from the client: logins, text, photos, and when.

Keep it in the project conversation on the platform so both of you can find it later.

Split the work into milestones

A milestone is a stage with its own deliverable and its own payment. Good milestones:

• Each end with something the client can see and approve.

• Are small enough that neither side is exposed to too much money at once.

• Follow the natural order of the work.

Example for a small business website: 1) design of the home page, 2) all pages built, 3) content added and site launched.

How milestone money works on Alwass

• The client pays for a milestone before you start it, and Alwass holds the money.

• When you deliver and the client approves, the money is released to you.

• A released milestone that nobody objects to is paid out automatically after its window, so payment never depends on someone remembering to press a button.

• If a project is cancelled, held money goes back to the client under the freelancer payment rules.

Do not start a milestone until its money is held.

Handling change requests

Changes are normal. Unpaid extra work is not.

1. Say yes to anything inside the agreed rounds of changes.

2. For anything new, reply with what it is, the extra price and the extra time.

3. Add it as a new milestone once the client agrees.

"Happy to add that. It is outside the original scope, so it would be NPR [amount] and two more days. Shall I add it as a new milestone?" is polite and firm.

If something goes wrong

Talk early and in writing. Most problems are solved by a clear message. If you cannot agree, the payment rules explain how disputes are handled.

Frequently asked questions

What is a milestone in freelancing?

A stage of the project with its own deliverable and its own payment, which the client approves before the next stage.

When should I start work on a milestone?

Only once the client's money for that milestone is held on the platform.

What happens after a milestone is released?

On Alwass a released milestone that nobody objects to is paid out automatically after its window.

How do I handle extra requests?

Agree a price and time for anything outside the scope, and add it as a new milestone.

Start freelancing on Alwass

Create your free account, switch your profile to freelance, and add your skills, a portfolio and up to three service packages. Then browse the freelance marketplace and send proposals. Bidding is free and there is no limit on how many projects you can bid for.