Asked to edit Project from Client after they used my Native Files

Excellent answers particularly from Randy – don't give your customer a price until you've examined the file and allowed for the time you'll need to see the changes they've done as well as considered the new ones they require!

Because of this exact issue, some designers do not turn over the original files. They provide PDFs for printing. Translators don't usually need the original files. They just need the text, which can be exported from the original files as plain text.

Hi there,

I believe you've got great and detailed suggestion by industry experts. This is more of a discussion then a specific product question, hence I am changing this thread as a discussion. If there's anything you need to ask specifically, please feel free to do so.

Regards,

Om

You've just discovered why they ask you for all your source files.

Like the previous respondents, I don't think they're crossing the line when they're modifying the source files you gave them. Though you should not be expected to fix things for free -- if it's billable at your regular-plus rate for fixing and troubleshooting, that's commonly acceptable. And for your self-preservation, I wouldn't give them any price or time breaks for providing the service.

But another issue comes into play here. You need to consider that they're hanging you on the hook to ensure that the in-house designer's modifications will work. Otherwise, they'd just ship them straight to the printer and you'd never see them again.

Now, they can be doing that with you because they feel guilty about repurposing your work and they want to make sure that you get token reimbursement for the work you've already done. They may be nice that way. But more likely, it's because they know they have problems with the work this in-house designer is turning out, and they are paying you to fix it and make sure it's right. And worse, they're not going to tell you that because they want to deal with those problems internally and hang you with the responsibility.

As they say, dangers of the trade ...

Take that into account and don't take this project lightly. Take the time to make absolutely sure that these modified files will get the client the results expected. Make sure they compensate you for the attention to detail that they've asked of you. And if they ask you what needed to be fixed to turn out quality work, and it took substantial reworking, be sure to tell them you'd be happy to discuss that with them in detail during a formal (billable) client consultation.

Unless your contract with the client says otherwise, they are not crossing the line. And yes, I agree with Bob and Jongware that you should be paid for your time.

If they want you to do it for free, then yes, it crosses the line. If it’s billable, I see no problem with it.