Updated June 14, 2026
Horns? Red eyes? A t-shirt that says “I’m the devil”? Would that it were that easy to spot. I’ve worked with my share of difficult clients over the years and it can be a tricky thing to see coming. On occasion I’ve seen the signs and worked with the client anyway — thinking I could deal with it and it wouldn’t be too bad. I’ve always ended up regretting that decision. Some things are just not worth it.
Here are the red flags I’ve learned the hard way.
1. Unreasonable expectations regarding time and budget
You want to get that job — oh boy do you. But if your new best friend is suddenly calling and texting at all hours of the day and expecting that extra time for free — RUN.
2. They don’t listen and don’t read your emails
Some people are talkers and some are listeners. It’s great if your client is a talker — they give you lots of information, stuff you need to do your job well. The problem is when they can’t listen in return. Test this in the proposal stage. If they interrupt you continually, don’t retain what you’ve said only minutes before, and you’re having trouble getting a word in edgewise — RUN.
3. They want to change your terms and conditions
If you’ve been in business a while, you’ve probably developed terms and conditions that are fair to all parties. A significant red flag is if a new client immediately wants to change them. It’s unlikely that change will benefit you. Use your best judgment, but most of the time it’s a sign of bigger problems to come — RUN.
4. They delay paying you
This one is harder to know before the project starts. But if your new client is slow to pay or changes payment terms without consulting you, it’s never a good sign. From one business owner to another — don’t mess with someone else’s payday. If they do it to you, RUN.
5. They tell you nasty stories about the last freelancer they hired
This is a big one. If a new client launches into complaints about previous freelancers before the project even begins — listen carefully and read between the lines. Sure, there are freelancers who don’t do great work, and some clients genuinely have had bad experiences. But if the pattern is that every previous hire was a disaster, consider that some of the problem might be coming from the client themselves. Tread carefully. You might be better off without them — RUN.
6. They don’t value your time
Anyone who has worked with a freelancer knows that the project rate quoted is based on an hourly rate. If you find yourself being sent on fool’s errands — “I just want to see this layout in thirty-five different color palettes before I can make a decision” — you have a problem client on your hands. Even if you’re being paid hourly, the issue is the fundamental lack of respect for your time that kind of request reveals — RUN.
7. They joke about your life or your job
This is a true story. Years ago I was meeting with a potential new client alongside a developer I work with. We’d driven a long way, we were on our best behavior, trying to win the work. Partway through the meeting this client made a derogatory comment to my developer about “talking to the geek in the room.” Was that supposed to be funny? We ended up working with him anyway. It ended badly. That attitude of disrespect — as minor as it seemed in the moment — turned out to be exactly how he treated us throughout the project. People tell you who they are. You just have to listen. RUN.
8. They go dark in the middle of the project
You’ve sent the first round of concepts. You follow up. Silence. A week goes by. Then two. Then suddenly — out of nowhere — they need everything done by Friday. The ghosting client is one of the most disruptive dynamics a freelancer deals with, because their silence doesn’t stop your clock. Deadlines still exist. Other projects still need attention. And when they resurface in a panic, the expectation is often that you’ll drop everything to accommodate them. Set clear response time expectations in your contract — and if a client shows signs of going dark early in the process, take note — RUN.
A closing thought
The best client relationships I’ve had are the ones built on mutual respect — where both sides communicate clearly, honor each other’s time, and treat the project as a genuine collaboration. That’s what I aim for with every new engagement. The creative collaboration post goes deeper on what that looks like in practice.
And if you’re a client reading this wondering whether any of these flags apply to you — good news: the fact that you’re reading it probably means they don’t. Let’s talk.
