Revision policy template
A revision policy says how many rounds of changes are included, what one round is (one consolidated set of feedback on a deliverable), how quickly the client gives feedback, and what extra rounds cost. It stops “one more tweak” from becoming unlimited rounds.
Copy the revision policy template
Swap the [bracketed] parts for your details. Paste it into an email, a doc or your contract.
REVISION POLICY 1. INCLUDED ROUNDS Each deliverable includes [2] rounds of revisions. [Logo and identity work includes 3 rounds.] 2. WHAT COUNTS AS ONE ROUND One round is a single, consolidated set of feedback on a deliverable, sent by one person on your side in one document or email. We make the changes and send the updated version back. Feedback sent after we've started work on a round counts towards the next round. 3. WHAT A REVISION IS (AND ISN'T) A revision is a change within the approved direction: copy edits, colour or layout adjustments, swapping an image, fixing something that doesn't match the brief. A new request is not a revision: a new page, a new concept or direction, new features, or changes to work you've already approved. New requests are quoted separately. 4. FEEDBACK TIMING Please send feedback within [3] business days of receiving a version. If we receive no feedback within [10] business days, we treat the version as approved and move to the next stage. Late feedback moves the delivery date by the same number of days. 5. EXTRA ROUNDS Extra rounds are billed at [$___ per round, up to ___ hours each] / [$___ per hour]. We'll tell you before an extra round starts and wait for your OK. 6. OUR MISTAKES ARE FREE Fixing errors we introduced (typos, broken links, anything that doesn't match the approved design) never counts as a round. 7. APPROVAL Approval is given in writing (email is fine) by [named approver]. Changes after approval are new requests.
What a good revision policy covers
Six lines that answer every revision argument before it starts.
The number of rounds
Two per deliverable is common. Three for subjective work such as logos.
What one round is
One consolidated set of feedback from one person. Not a drip of emails.
Revision vs new request
Changes within the brief are revisions. New pages, concepts or features are new work.
Feedback deadlines
A turnaround for feedback, and what happens to the timeline when it’s late.
The price of extra rounds
Per round or per hour, stated upfront so it’s never a surprise.
Your errors are free
Saying so builds trust and makes the rest of the policy easier to accept.
How to put a revision policy in place
- 1
Pick the number of rounds
Base it on the type of work, and build those rounds into your price.
- 2
Define a round
Write down that one round is one consolidated set of feedback.
- 3
Name the approver
One person signs off. Feedback from others reaches you through them.
- 4
Set feedback deadlines
And say that late feedback moves the delivery date.
- 5
Price extra rounds
A flat fee per round with an hour cap, or your hourly rate.
- 6
Count rounds out loud
Label every version: “Round 2 of 2”. Nobody is surprised by round 3’s price.
Creepless checks every request against your scope
Clients send requests through their own private link. Each one is checked against the plan you set and marked included, extra or needs review. Extras get a suggested price and a drafted reply, and the client approves the quote before work starts. Free for 2 clients, no card needed.
Revision policy template, answered
More free templates: see all templates, or read what scope creep is.
How many revisions should I include?
Two rounds per deliverable is a common starting point. Use three for subjective work like logos and brand identity, and one for quick, templated work. Build the included rounds into your base price.
What counts as a revision round?
One consolidated set of feedback on a deliverable, from one person, that you then act on and return. Feedback that arrives after you’ve started a round counts towards the next one.
How should I charge for extra revisions?
Either a flat fee per extra round (with a cap on hours per round) or your hourly rate. Flat fees are easier to approve when rounds are similar in size; hourly is fairer when they vary.
What if several people on the client side give feedback?
Ask for one consolidated list through the named approver. Conflicting feedback from different people is the fastest way to burn through rounds.
Is a change after approval a revision?
No. Once something is approved, further changes are new requests and are quoted separately.
Should I offer unlimited revisions?
Usually not. Unlimited revisions remove the client’s reason to consolidate feedback and make the project impossible to price. If you offer them, cap the timeframe instead.
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