How to fire client?

As a freelancer, how does one fire a client due to a difficult ongoing work relationship?

• Answer:

  First, check your terms of business or contract. Have you agreed an exit process or notice period? If not, a standard approach is notification in writing 30 days before exit. Find an appropriate milestone where you can stop and hand the work back to the client without too much disruption to them. Tell the client that you intend to stop working on this project - ideally face to face. You don't have to justify your decision. The phrase "I've decided to focus on other projects" might be helpful. Don't get into a discussion about how difficult they've been - there's no point. Agree exactly what the client will get from you at the handover point and negotiate how you'll wind things up commercially. You don't have to find an alternative contractor - that's their problem. Confirm everything in writing. If you use email, make sure you get an acknowledgement. At the handover, give them as much as you can (graphics assets, source code etc.) so they don't keep coming back with queries. Don't be surprised if they pay your final invoice very late or not at all. Take this into account when you announce you want to leave. If you have 4 outstanding invoices, get them paid BEFORE you break the bad news to limit your losses. If that all sounds too much like hard work, simply hand back everything and quit immediately. You won't get paid and you may face legal action - take professional advice on this - but at least you'll be free. Good luck!