How do I tell a client it will take longer therefore cost more
 

How can I tell a client that the editing style they are wanting, or how they want a video to look will take more time on my end and therefore cost more to finish?

How about this. "Due to the editing style you desire and or the look you want the video to have,more time is required to achieve this style and or look therefore there is additional cost involved which is $XXX.xx"

It sounds like this client wants something that's not necessarily your "norm" so if more time is required to achieve the look they want, why beat around the bush.

This type of thing only becomes a problem if both sides weren't clear before you signed the contract as to exactly what was to be delivered and when. And it's only sticky and difficult if you don't respond honestly and directly the moment they ask for a change.

My response is always, "Sure, no problem, we're happy to make that change for you. Just give me a few minutes to figure out how much more time that will take and I'll get a bid to you right away. Then as soon as you approve the extra cost, we can get started."

As soon as they hear this, they usually say, "Uh, never mind."

Problem solved.

No substitute for professionalism. In any business.

Adam's solution is pretty elegant. I use something similar when people ask me for a discount or cheaper price than we've quoted. "If you can let us know which part of our usual service you want to cut, we can prepare a more economic solution for you" This like Adam's, sounds pleasant but is designed to make it clear that value for money is then up to them.

That's a great response. Mind if I start using it?


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