================================================================ FREELANCE CLIENT VETTING CHECKLIST 14 Red Flags — Pre-Project Screening Tool ================================================================ From SoloStack — solostack.madethis.app/resources/freelance-client-red-flags Instructions: Complete this before accepting any new project. Answer YES if the red flag is present, NO if it is not. Score your responses using the key at the bottom. ---------------------------------------------------------------- RED FLAG CHECKLIST ---------------------------------------------------------------- RED FLAG 1: "We don't have a budget" or refuses to name a number [ ] YES — they won't give any budget range or number [ ] NO — they named a number or range upfront Notes: _______________________________________________ RED FLAG 2: Asking for free samples or an unpaid "test project" [ ] YES — they want free work before paying anything [ ] NO — they're happy to pay for a discovery call or proposal Notes: _______________________________________________ RED FLAG 3: "This should be quick / easy" (dismissing your time) [ ] YES — they've told you how long your own work should take [ ] NO — they defer to your expertise on scope Notes: _______________________________________________ RED FLAG 4: Vague or constantly shifting project scope [ ] YES — what they want is unclear and changes in conversation [ ] NO — the scope is defined and stays consistent Notes: _______________________________________________ RED FLAG 5: "We need it yesterday" — unrealistic rush timelines [ ] YES — they want a timeline that's not feasible [ ] NO — their timeline is reasonable or they're flexible Notes: _______________________________________________ RED FLAG 6: Has burned through multiple freelancers before you [ ] YES — they've mentioned "the last 2-3 freelancers didn't work out" [ ] NO — no pattern of freelancer turnover mentioned Notes: _______________________________________________ RED FLAG 7: Won't sign a contract ("we trust each other") [ ] YES — they're resistant to or dismissive of contracts [ ] NO — they accept contracts as standard professional practice Notes: _______________________________________________ RED FLAG 8: Slow or evasive communication during the proposal stage [ ] YES — they take days to respond, go silent, or dodge questions [ ] NO — communication during vetting is prompt and clear Notes: _______________________________________________ RED FLAG 9: Lowballing and aggressively negotiating your rate [ ] YES — they've pushed back on your rate more than once [ ] NO — they accepted your rate or asked a single clarifying question Notes: _______________________________________________ RED FLAG 10: "We're a startup — we can pay you in equity or exposure" [ ] YES — they've offered non-cash compensation as the main offer [ ] NO — compensation is in actual money Notes: _______________________________________________ RED FLAG 11: Micro-managing during the pitch or proposal stage [ ] YES — they're already dictating how you should do the work [ ] NO — they're asking about outcomes, not controlling process Notes: _______________________________________________ RED FLAG 12: Disrespecting your time (ghosts, reschedules, shows up late) [ ] YES — they've already no-showed, been late, or gone silent [ ] NO — they've shown up when they said they would Notes: _______________________________________________ RED FLAG 13: Comparing you unfavorably to cheaper options [ ] YES — they've mentioned "I found someone on Fiverr for $X" [ ] NO — they're not shopping you against the lowest bidder Notes: _______________________________________________ RED FLAG 14: "We just need a few small tweaks" after delivery [ ] YES — revisions have already expanded beyond what was agreed [ ] NO — revision expectations were set and respected Notes: _______________________________________________ ---------------------------------------------------------------- SCORING ---------------------------------------------------------------- Count your YES answers: _____ 0-3 YES answers → GREEN Proceed with your standard contract and process. Keep an eye on any individual flags that scored YES. 4-6 YES answers → YELLOW (CAUTION) Proceed ONLY with: - 50%+ deposit upfront (or full payment for projects under $1,500) - Tighter scope with every deliverable defined in writing - Explicit revision limits in the contract (e.g., 2 rounds max) - Written approval at each milestone before continuing Consider whether this project is worth the risk. 7+ YES answers → RED (WALK AWAY) This client profile is high-risk. The patterns you've already seen in the vetting stage will almost certainly intensify once the project starts and money is involved. Use the decline script: "I don't think we're the right fit, but here's a referral / here's why." ---------------------------------------------------------------- THE MOST IMPORTANT FLAG ---------------------------------------------------------------- Ask yourself: Does this client make me feel guilty for having normal professional standards? If YES — that's a RED flag regardless of how they scored above. Guilt is a manipulation tactic. Professional clients don't use it. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Download more free freelance resources at: solostack.madethis.app/resources ================================================================