A developer on Reddit shared a story that every agency owner recognizes: client approved everything. The scope was documented. The price was agreed. Work started. Then — halfway through — the client asked to redesign half the features.
The developer faced an impossible choice: risk the relationship by refusing, or absorb the work for free, destroying the project's margin.
This isn't normal scope creep. This is a fundamental breakdown of the approval process.
Why "Approved Scope" Is an Illusion
The moment a client signs a fixed-scope agreement, a psychological shift happens. In the client's mind, they've made a purchase. They're now entitled to the best possible product — which naturally evolves in their imagination as development progresses.
