The CA Thingy
How to Handle Client Scope Creep Without Getting Steamrolled
May 31, 2025
“Just one more thing” can quickly snowball into hours of unpaid work. This blog shows how to set clear boundaries, flag scope creep early, and handle it professionally without damaging client relationships.
1. What Scope Creep Looks Like in a CA Firm
- A client asks you to “just quickly review” their loan documents.
- They expect reports or insights not covered in the engagement.
- Or they constantly add “urgent” work without adjusting fees.
2. Why It Happens (And Why You Let It Happen)
- You want to be helpful—and avoid friction.
- There’s no written scope, or it’s too vague.
- Clients assume “small” asks don’t require extra fees.
3. How to Prevent Scope Creep
- Set expectations upfront: Mention exact inclusions and exclusions during onboarding.
- Use signed SoWs (Statement of Work): Keep them short, but specific.
- Add “out-of-scope = billable” clauses: Reinforce that additional work = additional fees.
4. What to Say When Scope Creep Happens
- “This falls outside our current agreement. I can take it up as a separate billable task.”
- “Happy to help with this—we can scope it as an add-on for this month.”
- “Let me share a quick proposal for that piece before we proceed.”
5. Offer a Buffer With Retainer Tiers
- Include a few buffer hours in premium plans.
- That way, minor overages feel covered—without you getting steamrolled.
- It also nudges clients to upgrade if their demands increase over time.
Final Thoughts
- Scope creep kills margins and morale.
- The fix isn’t conflict—it’s clarity and communication.
- Define your boundaries, stick to them, and protect the time you’ve earned.