Two copy-paste UK emails: announce a rate increase with notice, then hold the line on budget pushback by offering scope options — not a discount. Free. Not legal advice.
Read the emails Also: free Scope Guard checklist Also: revision-cap emails
# Rate-Raise Email Pack (free slice) **OpsKit Digital** — copy-paste emails for UK freelancers & sole traders *Not legal advice. Adapt to your trading terms; seek professional advice for contracts or disputes.* --- ## When to use this Use these when you need to **raise rates with existing clients** without a long apology essay: 1. **Announce** — clear notice, effective date, new rate, same scope 2. **Budget objection** — hold the rate; offer reduced scope or a pause instead This is **not** Scope Guard (mid-project change orders) and **not** Revision-Cap (round limits). It is only the **price update** conversation. Give at least **one billing cycle** of notice where practical. --- ## 1. Announce — rate increase notice **Subject:** Updated rates from [effective date] > Hi [Name], > > A short note that my freelance rates are changing from **[effective date]**. > > For our ongoing work, the new rate will be **£[new rate]** ([hour / day / project / month]), up from £[current rate]. Scope, turnaround, and how we work stay the same unless we agree a change in writing. > > This keeps the business sustainable after [tools / skills / demand / inflation — pick one short reason]. I’ll invoice at the new rate from [effective date]. > > If you want to talk through scope or timing before then, just reply. > > Thanks for the continued work, > [Your trading name] --- ## 2. Objection reply — “we don’t have the budget” **Subject:** Re: Updated rates from [effective date] > Hi [Name], > > Thanks for saying so clearly. The new rate is firm for the current scope. > > Two practical options: > > **A — Keep full scope** at £[new rate] from [effective date]. > **B — Reduce scope** so the monthly/project total stays closer to today (e.g. drop [deliverable / hours / cadence]). I’ll send a one-line revised scope if you pick B. > > I can hold your slot until **[decision date]**; after that I’ll open the time to other work. > > Which works better for you? > > Thanks, > [Your trading name] --- ## Optional — loyalty hold (use sparingly) > Hi [Name], > > For existing clients who reply by [date], I can phase the increase: **50% of the uplift** from [date 1], full new rate from [date 2]. Scope stays as agreed. > > After [date 2] the full rate applies either way. > > Thanks, > [Your trading name] --- ## Quick checklist - [ ] New rate written down before you email anyone - [ ] Effective date ≥ one billing cycle away (where possible) - [ ] Announce is a **statement**, not “does this work for you?” - [ ] Budget pushback → **scope change**, not rate cut - [ ] Decision deadline set so calendar doesn’t drift - [ ] Pricing page / proposal template updated the same week --- ## Related OpsKit free slices - Scope Guard change-order checklist: mid-project “extra work” defence - Revision-cap emails: when free rounds are used up --- *OpsKit Digital · free experiment slice · faceless digital · not a Live store claim · not legal advice*