You sent version one, version two, and version three. The client emailed asking for "one more tweak." You are now 6 hours into a job you have not booked. Here is how to stop that cycle.
Estimating time is a real cost. Most landscape contractors price their labor and materials — and then give away 4–8 hours of estimating, site visiting, and proposal-writing for free on jobs they never win. When a client asks for multiple revisions and still does not sign, that cost compounds.
The fix is not refusing to revise. It is building a revision policy into your process from the first proposal.
Why Clients Ask for Multiple Revisions
Most revision requests come from one of three places: the client genuinely wants to adjust the scope, the client is using revisions to feel in control of a large decision, or the client is comparison shopping and using your revisions to build a lower-cost version to bring to a competitor.
The first two are legitimate. The third one you cannot fix with more revisions. Knowing which one you are dealing with earlier saves time.
Set the Policy Before the First Revision Is Requested
Include this in your proposal: "This proposal includes one complimentary revision based on client feedback. Additional revisions or scope changes are available at $75–$150 per revision, credited to the project upon signing."
That language does two things. It tells the client that revision work has value. And it filters out the clients who are not serious — serious clients accept a one-revision limit because they understand you are doing professional work. The credit upon signing removes any friction for clients who are genuinely committed.
How to Handle a First Revision Request Professionally
When a client comes back with feedback, collect all of it at once before revising. "Before I update the proposal — let's make sure I get everything in one pass. Are there any other changes you're considering, or is this the full list?" That prevents the three-round revision cycle where each round surfaces one more thing.
Then turn around the revision fast — within 24 hours if possible. A client who requested changes and gets the updated proposal quickly is a client who feels taken care of. That momentum carries them toward signing.
What to Do When the Revision Cycle Drags On
After two revisions with no signature, have a direct conversation. "I want to make sure I am giving you a proposal that works for you. We are on our second revision — what is the main thing that is keeping you from moving forward?" That question surfaces the real objection. It is not rude. It is respectful of both your time and theirs.
If the answer is budget, offer a scope reduction. If the answer is timing, set a future date and check in. If the answer is vague, the client is probably not ready to commit — and that is useful information.
"Revisions are not the problem. Unlimited free revisions with no clear path to signing are."
When to Walk Away From a Proposal Cycle
After three revisions and no signature, move the lead to a low-priority status in your CRM. Send one final message: "I want to keep your project on my radar — when you are ready to move forward, here is the current proposal. I'll follow up in [30 days]." Then actually follow up in 30 days with one message.
Some of these leads convert months later when the client is finally ready. Most do not. But the ones that do convert are almost always at your price — because they came back to you specifically.
Close more jobs
Ledge proposals get signed 3× faster than PDF quotes.
Good/Better/Best options, digital e-signature, job photos built in, and automatic follow-up reminders. Built for landscape contractors.
Book a Demo →Frequently Asked Questions
Is it reasonable to charge for proposal revisions?
Yes — after the first one. One free revision is standard. Charging for additional revisions is not unusual in service businesses. The key is stating the policy upfront, not springing it on a client who has already asked for revision number two. If it is in the proposal, there is no surprise.
How do I know if a client is genuinely considering the job vs. comparison shopping?
Ask directly during the first revision call: "Are you comparing a few proposals right now, or are you mainly trying to dial in this scope?" Most clients will tell you. If they say they have two other proposals, you know where you stand. If they say they are just trying to adjust scope, that is a much more productive conversation.
Can Good/Better/Best pricing reduce revision requests?
Yes, significantly. When the initial proposal already shows three scope levels, many clients who would have asked for a revision instead just select a different tier. The revision request — "can you do a version with less materials?" — becomes unnecessary because you already presented that option. Three-option proposals reduce revision cycles by about half in most contractors' experience.
What is a fair revision fee to charge?
$75–$150 per revision is a reasonable range for residential jobs. For large commercial projects, $150–$300 is fair. The fee does not need to reflect your actual time — it needs to be just enough to signal that revision work has value and to filter out clients who are not serious. Credit it to the project upon signing so committed clients never feel penalized.
Edgar Galindo
Co-founder, Ledge
Edgar built Ledge while running a landscape design-build company in Central Texas. He started tracking how much time was going into unbooked revisions after realizing it was costing him the equivalent of two crew days per month.