Revisions are a normal part of creative and service work, but unlimited free revisions can quietly erode your effective rate. Here's how to think about pricing them.
Set a defined number of included revisions
Rather than offering unlimited revisions, specify a number included in your base price (e.g., two rounds) in your proposal or contract.
Bill additional rounds clearly
Once the included rounds are used, invoice further revisions as a separate, clearly labeled line item, ideally at your standard hourly rate.
Distinguish revisions from scope changes
A revision refines existing work within the original brief; a request that changes the brief itself is a scope change and should be quoted and invoiced separately, not treated as a 'revision.'
Communicate the policy before it's needed
Clients respond better to a revision policy stated upfront than one introduced defensively mid-project when they're already expecting more free changes.
Consider your industry norms
Some fields (like editorial writing) commonly include more revision rounds than others (like custom software) — calibrate your policy to what's typical and reasonable in your field.
The takeaway
Charging fairly for revisions beyond an agreed limit protects your time without being unreasonable — most professional clients expect and respect this structure.