Is It Out of Scope? — Web development
Is providing ongoing maintenance after project close out of scope for a web development project?
Yes, without a separate agreement. Bug fixes and updates after a closed build require a maintenance arrangement.
The build shipped, final invoice was paid, and then a few weeks later something needs a small fix or a dependency update — often framed as "since you built it, can you just take care of this."
Is it out of scope?
Yes, unless a maintenance retainer is in place. Having built the site doesn't carry a standing commitment to keep patching or updating it for free once the project is closed and paid.
Clause typically implicated
Clause typically implicated
Hosting and maintenance clause→ — Defines the covered post-launch window and work; requests arriving after a closed project with no maintenance agreement fall outside it.
Example contract wording
Example contract wording (illustrative, not legal advice)
That project closed out at final delivery, so ongoing fixes and updates would need a maintenance agreement — I can quote a monthly retainer that covers exactly this kind of request.
How MarginFlow flags it
MarginFlow flags fix and update requests outside_scope once a development contract's status shows the project closed with no maintenance agreement attached.