15 Questions Freelancers Should Ask Clients

We’ve all been there as freelancers. You jump into a project excited about the possibilities, only to find yourself in a nightmare situation weeks later. The scope keeps expanding but the budget doesn’t. The client is unresponsive until they suddenly need something “ASAP.” The project that should have been wrapped up three weeks ago is still dragging on with endless revisions.

The good news? Most of these disasters can be prevented with the right questions upfront. After working with thousands of freelancers through my blog and our SolidGigs community over the past decade, I’ve seen a clear pattern: successful freelancers ask better questions at the beginning of client relationships.

Whether you’re brand new to freelancing or you’ve been at it for years but still struggle with problematic clients, this comprehensive guide will arm you with the 15 most crucial questions you need to ask before taking on any new project.

Why Most Freelancers Fail to Ask Good Questions

Before we dive into the specific questions, let’s address the elephant in the room. Why don’t most freelancers ask these critical questions from the start? In my experience working with thousands of freelancers, there are a few common reasons:

Fear of scaring away potential clients. Many freelancers worry that asking too many questions might make them seem difficult to work with. In reality, professional clients actually respect a thorough vetting process.

Excitement about landing a new project. When you’re eager to get started (or desperate for income), it’s tempting to skip the “boring” details and jump straight into the work.

Assuming things will work themselves out. Some freelancers prefer to handle issues as they arise rather than anticipating them from the beginning.

Let me tell you from experience: these mindsets lead to disaster. The successful freelancers I’ve worked with through SolidGigs all have detailed client onboarding processes that include specific questions to ensure project success.

15 Critical Questions Every Freelancer Should Ask Potential Clients

1. “Have you worked with freelancers before?”

This seemingly simple question reveals a ton about how your working relationship might unfold. Clients who have never worked with freelancers before often have unrealistic expectations about pricing, turnaround times, and the working relationship.

If they’re new to hiring freelancers, you’ll need to educate them on how the process works. Be prepared to explain your invoicing procedures, communication preferences, and project workflows in more detail.

For clients with freelancer experience, you can ask follow-up questions like, “What did you enjoy about working with previous freelancers?” and “What would you have changed about those experiences?” Their answers will give you valuable insight into what they value most.

2. “What are your specific goals for this project?”

Never, ever start a project without understanding the “why” behind it. Too many freelancers focus solely on deliverables without understanding what the client is actually trying to achieve.

A design client might say they need a new website, but what they really need is to generate more qualified leads. A writing client might request blog posts, but their actual goal is improving their search rankings for specific keywords.

Understanding the underlying goals will help you:

Determine if you’re the right fit. Maybe what they really need is outside your expertise, and you can refer them to someone better suited.

Propose more effective solutions. You might realize there’s a more efficient way to achieve their goals than what they initially requested.

Measure success properly. Without clear goals, how will you know if your work was successful?

3. “What is the full scope of this project?”

Scope creep—when a project gradually expands beyond its original parameters—is one of the biggest profitability killers for freelancers. Getting crystal clear on deliverables upfront is crucial.

For example, if you’re a web designer, does the project include:

Design only, or design plus development?

Content creation or just implementation of client-provided content?

SEO optimization?

Training the client on how to use the site?

Post-launch support? If so, for how long?

Be extremely specific here. List out everything that’s included and, just as importantly, what’s excluded. This clarity will save you countless headaches down the road.

4. “What’s your budget for this project?”

I know money conversations can be uncomfortable, especially for new freelancers, but you absolutely must get comfortable with them. The budget question needs to come early in your discussions.

When you ask about budget, one of three things will happen:

The client has a set budget and shares it freely. Great! Now you can determine if it’s worth your time.

The client doesn’t have a budget in mind. This is potentially a red flag. Serious clients usually have at least a range in mind. If they truly don’t, you’ll need to educate them on typical costs for projects like theirs.

The client refuses to share their budget. This often indicates they’re looking for the cheapest option or trying to maintain an upper hand in negotiations. Not a great start to a relationship.

Here’s a pro tip from our most successful SolidGigs freelancers: frame this question as a way to tailor your proposal to their needs. “Understanding your budget helps me propose the right scope and solutions for your needs. I can suggest alternatives based on different budget levels.”

5. “What’s your ideal timeline for this project?”

Having a clear timeline is crucial, and it involves more than just a final deadline. You need to understand:

When they need the project completed

Any specific milestones along the way

Their availability for feedback and approvals

Any external factors that might impact timing (product launches, events, etc.)

If their timeline seems unrealistic based on the scope, address this immediately. It’s better to negotiate timeline expectations upfront than to miss deadlines later. I’ve seen countless freelance relationships sour because of missed deadlines that were unrealistic from the start.

6. “Who will be my main point of contact, and who has final approval?”

This question has saved me countless hours of frustration throughout my freelance career. You need to know exactly who you’ll be communicating with regularly and, more importantly, who has final decision-making authority.

There’s nothing worse than getting feedback and approvals from one person, only to have someone higher up completely reject your work at the last minute. By clarifying the approval chain upfront, you can ensure your work gets in front of the right people at the right time.

If there are multiple stakeholders, request that feedback be consolidated before it comes to you. This prevents the confusion of receiving contradictory feedback from different parties.

7. “What’s your preferred communication method and frequency?”

Different clients have vastly different communication preferences. Some want weekly Zoom calls, while others prefer email updates. Some expect responses within hours, while others are fine with a day or two turnaround.

Establishing communication expectations early prevents misunderstandings. I recommend discussing:

Preferred communication channels (email, phone, Slack, etc.)

Expected response times (both from you and from them)

Regular check-in schedule (if applicable)

Emergency protocols for urgent matters

Remember, you’re not just asking about their preferences—you’re also setting boundaries around your own availability. The most successful freelancers I’ve mentored through SolidGigs are clear about when they’re available and when they’re not.

8. “What does success look like for this project?”

This question differs from asking about goals. You’re trying to understand how the client will judge whether your work was successful or not.

Will success be measured by:

Quantitative metrics? (increased traffic, higher conversion rates, etc.)

Qualitative feedback? (client satisfaction, user feedback, etc.)

Meeting specific technical requirements?

Adherence to brand guidelines or other standards?

Having a shared definition of success ensures that you and the client are working toward the same outcome. It also gives you clear criteria against which to measure your work.

9. “What’s your approval process and revision policy?”

Revisions can be a major profitability killer if not properly managed. Before starting any project, clarify:

How many rounds of revisions are included in your quote

What constitutes a “revision” vs. a change in scope

The timeline for feedback and revisions

How additional revisions beyond the included ones will be billed

I recommend including a specific revision clause in your contract that outlines these details. This prevents the dreaded “just one more small change” syndrome that can turn a profitable project into a money-losing nightmare.

10. “How will payment be handled?”

Don’t leave payment terms to chance. Clarify exactly:

When payment is due (upfront deposit, milestone payments, etc.)

Accepted payment methods

Your policy on late payments (interest, work pauses, etc.)

I strongly recommend requiring an upfront deposit (typically 25-50%) before beginning any work. This demonstrates client commitment and improves your cash flow. Tools like FreshBooks, Bonsai, or even services through SolidGigs can help you manage invoicing professionally.

11. “Do you have existing brand guidelines or materials I should follow?”

Understanding the client’s brand is crucial for delivering work that aligns with their identity. Ask about:

Brand guidelines documents

Existing materials you should match

Voice/tone guidelines for written content

Color schemes, fonts, and visual elements

If they don’t have formal guidelines, ask for examples of work they like or other brands they admire. This gives you a starting point for understanding their aesthetic and tonal preferences.

12. “What challenges do you anticipate with this project?”

This question often reveals potential roadblocks that haven’t been mentioned yet. Clients may share:

Internal disagreements about direction

Technical limitations

Past failures or difficulties

Resource constraints

These insights allow you to proactively address concerns and set realistic expectations. It also shows the client that you’re thinking strategically about their needs.

13. “Have you worked on similar projects before? What worked/didn’t work?”

Learning from the client’s past experiences can save you from repeating mistakes. If they’ve attempted similar projects before, find out:

What approaches were successful

What problems they encountered

What they would do differently this time

This historical context is invaluable for shaping your approach and demonstrating that you’re invested in their long-term success, not just the current project.

14. “What are your plans after this project is completed?”

This forward-looking question serves two purposes:

First, it helps you understand how your work fits into their broader strategy, which can inform your approach.

Second, it opens the door to discussing potential ongoing work. Many of our most successful SolidGigs freelancers have transformed one-off projects into retainer relationships by understanding the client’s future needs and proactively suggesting how they could help address them.

15. “Is there anything else I should know before getting started?”

Always end your client questionnaire with this open-ended question. It gives the client an opportunity to share any concerns or requirements that your other questions might have missed.

Sometimes the most important information comes from this final catch-all question. Clients often remember crucial details or constraints that didn’t fit neatly into your other questions.

How to Actually Ask These Questions

Now that you know what to ask, let’s talk about how to ask these questions effectively. Here are some practical approaches our most successful SolidGigs freelancers use:

Create a Client Questionnaire

Develop a standardized questionnaire that you send to potential clients after initial interest but before providing a proposal. This can be:

A Google Form (most professional)

A PDF or Word document

A dedicated section on your website

Having a formal intake process signals professionalism and ensures you don’t forget any important questions in the excitement of a new prospect.

Schedule a Discovery Call

Some clients prefer talking through these questions rather than filling out a form. In this case, schedule a dedicated discovery call specifically for these questions.

Pro tip: Send the questions in advance so the client can prepare thoughtful answers, then use the call to dig deeper into their responses.

Build Questions Into Your Proposal Process

Make completing your questionnaire a prerequisite for receiving a proposal. This filters out clients who aren’t serious and ensures you have all the information needed to create an accurate quote.

Turning Client Answers Into Action

Getting answers to these questions is only half the battle. The real value comes from how you use this information to structure your working relationship. Here’s how to translate client responses into effective action:

Create a Detailed Contract

Use the client’s answers to craft a comprehensive contract that addresses:

Project scope with specific deliverables

Timeline with milestones

Payment terms and schedule

Revision policy

Communication expectations

A solid contract based on the client’s input prevents misunderstandings and scope creep.

Develop a Tailored Project Plan

Create a project plan that accounts for:

The client’s goals and success metrics

Their communication preferences

Any anticipated challenges

Approval processes and stakeholders

Share this plan with the client to ensure you’re aligned from the start.

Set Up Regular Check-ins

Based on the client’s preferred communication frequency, establish a regular check-in schedule. This proactive approach prevents issues from festering and demonstrates your commitment to the project’s success.

When to Walk Away

Sometimes, a client’s answers to these questions will reveal that they’re not a good fit for you. It’s better to discover this before you’re committed to the project. Consider walking away if:

Their budget is significantly below your minimum rates, and they’re unwilling to adjust scope accordingly.

Their timeline is unrealistic, and they refuse to extend it.

They’re evasive about important questions, particularly regarding budget or scope.

Their communication style or expectations clash dramatically with your working methods.

They show signs of being difficult, such as speaking negatively about previous freelancers without taking any responsibility.

Remember, every problem client you avoid creates space for an ideal client to find you. Tools like SolidGigs help connect freelancers with pre-vetted clients who respect professional processes, making it easier to find the right partnerships.

Final Thoughts: Refine Your Process Over Time

The questions you ask clients should evolve as your freelance business grows. After each project, reflect on what information would have been helpful to have from the start, and update your questionnaire accordingly.

The most successful freelancers I’ve worked with through our SolidGigs community are constantly refining their client intake process based on experience. What works well with one type of client might not work with another, and your questions may need to be tailored to different industries or project types.

By consistently asking these essential questions and refining your process over time, you’ll dramatically reduce project headaches, improve client relationships, and ultimately increase your profitability as a freelancer.

Remember, professional clients respect professional processes. By demonstrating thoroughness from the start, you position yourself as a serious business partner rather than just a hired hand.

One more thing...

You didn't start freelancing to spend hours every week searching through job boards. You started freelancing to do more work you enjoy! Here at SolidGigs, we want to help you spend less time hunting and more time doing work you love.

Our team of "Gig Hunters"—together with the power of A.I.—sends you high-quality leads every weekday on autopilot. You can learn more or sign up here. Happy Freelancing!