Unlimited Revisions Clause
An unlimited revisions clause lets the client keep requesting changes at no extra cost until they are 'satisfied'. It converts a fixed-fee project into open-ended work and is the leading cause of freelance losses.
What it means in plain English
Revisions are normal; unlimited revisions are not a scope, they are the absence of one. Without a cap and an approval trigger, the project has no end date and your effective hourly rate falls with every round.
Why it is risky
- No defined completion point, so final payment can be deferred indefinitely.
- 'Client satisfaction' as the acceptance test is entirely subjective.
- Revision requests often smuggle in new scope rather than refining existing work.
- It usually pairs with a payment-on-final-approval clause, so cash flow stops too.
Red-flag wording to look for
- "The Contractor shall make revisions until the Client is fully satisfied with the deliverables."
- "Final payment shall be released upon the Client's acceptance, at the Client's sole discretion."
- "Minor changes shall be provided at no additional cost." (with 'minor' undefined)
What fair wording looks like: A fixed number of revision rounds inside the fee, a defined deemed-acceptance window, and a stated hourly rate for anything beyond.
Recommended counter-clause
Replace the risky clause with this wording. Square brackets are the numbers to agree.
The Fee includes [two (2)] rounds of revisions per deliverable, each round being a single consolidated set of written comments delivered within [five (5)] business days of submission. A deliverable shall be deemed accepted if the Client does not provide written comments within that period. Revisions beyond the included rounds, and any request that changes the agreed scope, shall be billed at [₹____] per hour, estimated and approved in writing before the work begins.
Hi [Client name], happy to lock the scope in. Could we say two consolidated revision rounds are included, with anything beyond that billed at my hourly rate against an approved estimate? That keeps your budget predictable and gives us both a clear finish line.
General information, not legal advice. Wording should be adapted to your contract and jurisdiction.
Frequently asked questions
- How many revision rounds are standard for freelance work?
- Two rounds per deliverable is the common market standard, with each round being one consolidated set of comments rather than a trickle of individual requests.
- How do I stop scope creep contractually?
- Three things: a revision cap, a deemed-acceptance window so silence does not stall the project, and a written change-order process with an hourly rate for extra work.
Is this clause in your contract?
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