Contract Glossary
Scope Creep
Definition
The gradual expansion of a project's requirements beyond what was originally agreed — usually without adjusting the timeline, budget, or contract terms. Scope creep happens through small, incremental changes that individually seem reasonable but collectively transform the project into something much larger than what was priced.
In Practice
You're hired to build a 5-page marketing website for $8,000. After the first draft, the client asks to add a contact form — reasonable, takes 2 hours. Then they want a blog section. Then e-commerce for 'just 3 products.' Then multilingual support. Each request was a small conversation, not a formal change order. Six weeks later, you've built a $25,000 website for $8,000. A clear scope of work with a change order process would have prevented this: any addition outside the original SOW triggers a written change order with revised pricing and timeline.
Common in these contract types
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Frequently asked questions about scope creep
Three things: (1) A detailed scope of work listing exactly what's included and excluded. (2) A change order clause requiring written approval and revised pricing for any additions. (3) A definition of 'completion' tied to the original scope, not the client's evolving vision. The more specific your SOW, the easier it is to identify when a request falls outside it.
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Create your contractThis content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For contracts with significant financial or legal implications, review by a qualified attorney is recommended.