Partial refunds when client only wants part of service

Had a client recently who decided they only wanted half of what we agreed on initially. Ended up doing a partial refund, but it felt awkward. Not sure if I handled it right.

Wondering how others deal with scope changes mid-project. Do you have a policy for partial work or is it case-by-case?

Partial refunds are a pain. I avoid them when I can. My contracts spell out stages and payments upfront. If a client wants to cut things short, they pay for what’s done. No refunds, just credit for future work.

Had a guy try to back out halfway once. Told him he still owed for the work completed. He wasn’t happy but paid up. Now I get deposits on big jobs to cover my ass.

Main thing is to have clear terms from the start. Makes it easier to stand your ground when clients get flaky. And always get changes in writing. Saves headaches down the road.

Been there, done that. It’s always tricky when clients change their minds mid-project.

I don’t have a strict policy, but I’ve learned to protect myself. Now I break projects into clear stages in the contract. Each stage has its own price. If a client wants to stop halfway, they just pay for the completed stages.

For services, I usually don’t do refunds. Instead, I offer to apply the unused portion as credit for future work. Keeps things simpler tax-wise and most clients are cool with it.

One time, a client wanted to cut a big project in half. We renegotiated the scope and price. Ended up doing less work but kept a good relationship. They came back later with more business.

Bottom line: flexibility helps, but have some guidelines to fall back on. And always get changes in writing!

I handle this on a case-by-case basis. No strict policy, but I’m always clear about what’s done and what’s owed.

If a client wants less, we discuss adjusting the scope and price. I don’t usually refund, but I might offer credit for future work.

The key is being flexible while protecting yourself. Get any changes in writing and make sure you’re paid for work completed. It keeps things fair for everyone.

Sometimes clients are funny. I just tell them what’s fair.

I don’t worry much about policies or contracts. Just talk.

Partial refunds are a headache, for sure. I’ve had my share of clients changing their minds mid-project.

Here’s what I do:

  • Break projects into chunks
  • Price each chunk separately
  • Get changes in writing

No fancy contracts or policies. Just clear communication.

If a client wants to stop halfway, they pay for what’s done. Simple as that. I might offer credit for future work instead of a refund. Keeps the accounting cleaner.

Had a client once who wanted to cut a big project in half. We sat down, talked it out, and found a middle ground. Ended up doing less work, but kept things smooth.

Main thing is to be flexible but fair. Stand your ground when needed, but be willing to work with clients. It’s a balancing act, but it gets easier with practice.