I've been a freelance designer for about 7 years, but more recently have been functioning more as an agency with private project and a few staff....I wanted to get some advice on some issues that keep creeping up for me around clients not adhering to scheduling.....
At the moment, I'm being contracted by a company on a per project basis, let’s call them “The Agency” to do design work for their clients (The Agency does the wire framing) …
The Agency deals with the client and relays design feedback to me (the agency pays me for the work).
The Agency and I agreed to a schedule for both design and client feedback (2-3 days turnaround from client) to try to meet their already very tight deadline.
I’ve met all the design deadlines, however their client is taking over a week to feedback, which they haven't really managed very well and as a result, will inevitably affect the deadline (it’s gone well over the contingency now).
The problem is : the delay is now bleeding into days that I have booked on other projects. PLUS, I have booked a developer who’s schedule is also being affected.
Ultimately, their lack of adhering to the agreed schedule is affecting two other people’s schedules.
The Agency is now asking me what I can do to meet the deadline.
The only way we could do this is by working into the evenings and weekends, which essentially means they get my free time or hiring another resource to work in tandem with us - obvious this will be an additional cost which I feel they should have to pay for since it was their lack of client management.
Thoughts on how you all handle situations like this?
This has happened a couple of times and I’ve obliged but it’s now affecting my other work and costs which are ultimately down to their lack of management.
Obviously I don’t want to come across as frustrated but I feel like boundaries need to be set.
I have not drawn up a contract or terms with them (which clearly I will have to for future) - so would be happy to be pointed to any resources that show what other agencies term are....
Any other suggestions / experiences you’ve had would be great to hear…..
Thanks!