Mastering Amendments: How to Handle Scope Creep Professionally

Introduction

It starts innocently. "Hey, while you're in there, can you also update the footer?" "Can we add just one more email to the sequence?"

This is Scope Creep. And it is the silent killer of profitability.

If you say "Yes" for free, you lose money. If you say "No," you risk upsetting the client.

The solution is the Amendment.

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Why Scope Creep Happens

Clients aren't trying to rip you off. They usually just don't understand the effort involved. To them, "add a button" sounds like a 5-minute task.

Also, projects evolve. You discover new needs halfway through. That is normal.

The problem isn't the change. The problem is informal change. When changes happen in email threads or Slack messages, they don't get tracked, and they don't get billed.

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The Magic Phrase

When a client asks for something new, never say "No."

Say: "I can definitely do that. Since that is outside the original scope, let me create a quick Amendment for you to approve."

This sentence does three things:

1. It is helpful ("I can do that").
2. It sets a boundary ("Outside original scope").
3. It professionalizes the request ("Create an Amendment").

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The Manager List Amendment Workflow

In the old world, creating a "Change Order" was a pain. You had to draft a new contract, reference the old one, get a signature... it was too much work for a $200 task. So you just did it for free.

In Manager List, it takes 30 seconds.

1. Go to the signed proposal.
2. Click "Create Amendment."
3. The proposal re-opens in draft mode.
4. Add the new item: "Additional Footer Update - $150."
5. Lock it and send the link.

The client sees a "Diff" view. They see exactly what changed. They click sign.

Now it is official. You get paid. The project history is clean.

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Conclusion

Scope creep is actually an opportunity. It is a signal that the client wants more value from you.

Don't let it be a leak in your boat. Turn it into an upsell.