Client disputes

90% of disputes are scope and acceptance. Detailed SOW in contract, change-request procedure, written stage acceptance — the three pillars of peace.

'Small tweak' × 30 = a free project. Response: 'that's out of scope, let's write a change request at rate X' — polite and in writing.

A stage without a signed act is unfinished. Contract: 5 business days for acceptance or auto-acceptance. Client silence ≠ 'work not accepted'.

30–50% prepayment, stage payments, late-fee penalty. 'We'll pay after launch' is your most expensive phrase. Stop-work on debt — as a contract clause.

Correspondence → manager call → formal claim → mediation → court/arbitration. Document everything — courts read letters, not 'we agreed'.

A toxic client costs more than the contract. Exit: final invoice, access handover, completion act. 'Enduring it' costs margin and team.