Upwork client demanding unlimited revisions outside contract scope

I'm a graphic designer on Upwork. Signed a contract for a logo design with "2 rounds of revisions included" clearly stated in the scope of work. Client approved my initial design, then asked for minor tweaks (round 1). I delivered those.

Now they're asking for a complete redesign with totally different concepts. When I said that would be a new project or additional fee, they're threatening to dispute the payment and leave a bad review. They're claiming "unlimited revisions until satisfied" should be implied.

The contract is for $800. I've already spent 12 hours on this. What are my options?

You have a written contract that explicitly states "2 rounds of revisions." That's your armor here.

Basic contract law principle: when terms are clearly defined in writing, courts don't read in additional implied terms that contradict the express language. "2 rounds" means 2 rounds, not unlimited.

What does the Upwork contract specifically say? Do you have the exact language saved?

Here's what I wrote in the Upwork contract scope:

"Logo design package includes: initial concept (3 variations), up to 2 rounds of revisions based on selected concept, final files in AI, PNG, and SVG formats."

They selected one of the 3 concepts, I did round 1 revisions (color changes, font adjustment), then round 2 revisions (spacing, tagline placement). Both times they said it looked great. Now they want totally different concepts.

I've been freelancing on Upwork for 6 years. This is a super common problem. Here's what I do:

1. Screenshot EVERYTHING - the original contract, all messages, all work submitted, their approvals
2. Don't do any more work outside the contract scope
3. Respond professionally in Upwork messages (not email) explaining you've completed the contracted scope
4. Offer a new contract for additional work at your hourly rate

If they dispute, Upwork will review the message history. As long as you documented everything, you'll win the dispute.

Your contract language is excellent - very specific and unambiguous. "Up to 2 rounds of revisions based on selected concept" makes it crystal clear that:

1. There's a maximum of 2 revision rounds
2. Revisions are modifications to the selected concept, not new concepts

The client asking for "totally different concepts" is requesting work outside the scope of the contract. This would constitute a material change requiring a contract modification or new agreement.

Marcus's advice is spot-on. Document everything and keep all communication on the Upwork platform.

I literally train people on Upwork best practices. Some things about Upwork's dispute process:

• Upwork will review the original contract scope and all platform messages
• They heavily favor clear, written scope over "he said, she said"
• If you completed the stated deliverables, you'll win the dispute
• The client threatening a bad review is actually against Upwork TOS (feedback extortion)

Report the review threat to Upwork support. That's a serious violation and they take it very seriously. Could get the client suspended.

Oh wow, I didn't know threatening bad reviews was against TOS. The client literally said in a message: "If you don't complete the revisions I need, I'll have no choice but to leave an honest review about this experience."

Should I report that before or after I respond about the scope issue?

Report it NOW. That message is textbook feedback extortion. Screenshot it immediately and submit a ticket to Upwork support.

Also respond to the client (on platform) with something like:

"I've completed all deliverables outlined in our contract: [list them]. The contract specified 2 rounds of revisions to the selected concept, which have been completed. New concepts would constitute a new project. I'm happy to provide a quote for additional work if you'd like to proceed."

Professional, factual, references the contract. Perfect for when Upwork reviews the dispute.

This exact thing happened to me last year. Client wanted unlimited revisions on a website design. I had "3 rounds" in my contract.

I stuck to my contract, they disputed the payment, Upwork reviewed it and released the full payment to me within 5 days. The client's account got flagged for the review threat too.

Best advice: never deviate from your stated scope, no matter how much they push. The second you do extra work "as a courtesy" you set a precedent that the contract doesn't matter.

Let me add some legal context around the "implied unlimited revisions" argument the client is making:

Under contract law, courts will only imply terms when:

1. The term is necessary to give the contract business efficacy (the contract wouldn't work without it), OR
2. The term is so obvious it "goes without saying"

Neither applies here. The contract works perfectly fine with 2 rounds stated explicitly. And unlimited revisions is definitely not "so obvious it goes without saying" - in fact, creative services contracts almost always limit revisions specifically to prevent scope creep.

The legal doctrine that helps you here is "expressio unius est exclusio alterius" - the expression of one thing excludes others. By stating "2 rounds," the contract implicitly excludes 3, 4, or unlimited rounds.

Update: I reported the feedback threat to Upwork support and sent the professional message that Nina suggested.

The client responded pretty angrily but didn't dispute the payment. They just closed the contract and left a mediocre review (3 stars, said I was "inflexible" but admitted the work quality was good).

Upwork support responded and said they're reviewing the client's account for TOS violations. They also said the review may be removed if they determine it was retaliatory.

I got paid in full and learned a valuable lesson about standing firm on contracts. Thanks everyone.

Glad this worked out. For other freelancers reading this thread, some best practices to avoid this situation:

• Define "revision" vs "new concept" - Be explicit about what constitutes a revision versus new work
• Specify revision timeline - "2 rounds of revisions, each round submitted within 5 business days of receiving feedback"
• Include approval language - "Client approval of initial concept required before revisions begin. Approved concepts cannot be changed to different concepts without new contract."
• State what's NOT included - Sometimes saying what's excluded is as important as what's included
• Have a change order process - Include language like "Any work outside this scope requires a written change order at Designer's standard hourly rate of $X"

Crystal clear contracts prevent 90% of these disputes.