Illustrative case — not a customer result
Illustrative arithmetic: an otherwise agreed $400 addition requires $120 of additional coordination and capacity to accelerate. A $520 proposal describes that specific exception; it is not an industry benchmark. If acceleration would displace a commitment you cannot move, decline rather than pricing an impossible promise.
Apply the decision
- Confirm the standard scope and price
- Estimate additional capacity and coordination
- Set the accelerated schedule conditions
Boundary and limitations
Do not double-count hours already included in the standard estimate or present an illustrative price as market research.
Message for this situation
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The standard addition is [amount] for [date]. Acceleration to [earlier date] adds [amount] for [capacity or coordination], conditional on [inputs].
Decision record to complete
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Standard fee: [complete for this project] actual acceleration inputs: [complete for this project] incremental costs: [complete for this project] accelerated total: [complete for this project] conditions: [complete for this project]
More in Charge for Extra Work
Frequently asked questions
- Which resource should I use next?
- Use the linked primary resource for the actual artifact or decision framework. This article addresses the narrower task: estimate acceleration costs.
- What should I avoid assuming?
- Do not double-count hours already included in the standard estimate or present an illustrative price as market research.
Continue with the next decision
Rush Work Estimate Template and Approval Conditions
A rush-work estimate prices a feasible acceleration, names the tasks or priorities displaced, and makes the accelerated date conditional on timely client inputs and approval. There is no universal rush percentage; quote the actual disruption and capacity required.
Next stepCharge for Extra Work
Estimate additions, uncertainty, and scheduling disruption.
Free editable artifactFreelance Change Order Form Template
A freelance change-order form records the original agreement, requested difference, added and removed work, price adjustment, revised milestones, dependencies, and authorized approval. Give each change an identifier so the client can approve a specific version.
Next stepScopeShield Toolkit — $39
Review the editable text inventory, what it does, and what it does not do before buying.