New milestone when project is over?

[felipeharo]

i finished a project on a fixed contract... and the client didn't want to close the project because he said he might need me in the future for something else. 

So my question is: How much freedom does the client have to generate new milestones? Can I decline a milestone that is not well paid for instance? What is the correct way to handle such a situation?

[bobafett999]

You can suggest him that for now how about we close the project becasue open contracts hurts you blah blah blah?  When you are ready with new work you can very easily press a button to rehire me.  Otherwise for next milestonenegotiate and charge him more.

[petra_r]

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@Felipe H wrote:

i finished a project on a fixed contract... and the client didn't want to close the project because he said he might need me in the future for something else.

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 Tell the client that's great but you would appreciate it if he could clse the contract for the time being. When he needs you again he can easily use the handy big "Rehire a freelancer" function on his client interface.

The only way to decline a milestone through the interface is to end the contract, but if you get a milestone that isn't enough you just communicate that fact to the client. In my experience clients send a message to discuss the new milestone, to find out if I am available and discuss price and deadline.

[bobafett999]

WOW Petra great minds think alike!!!

[melaniekhenson]

^ Well, that is pretty much the standard advice and appears frequently on "client won't end contract" threads.

This does happen and yes, politely asking to close the contract, while communicating you would love to work another project for her in the future (if you would), or at least thanking the client once again for the work, is probably good protocol.

Some clients still may not respond but if not, you can cross that bridge later. Give her the chance first to close the contract and end on good terms.

On a personal note I have this situation myself and while I privately felt a bit frustrated, my clients are now getting back to me and one has closed the contract with positive feedback, so patience can help here, if it hasn't been all that long that the contract has been inactive. Clients aren't that compelled to end inactive contracts the way we are and sometimes, they just want to keep us around because they do like our work but don't really understand how this can ultimately impact us, so approach politely and understand this from their side too. It should all work out. 🙂