Why Asking a Client for Their Budget Is Perfectly Reasonable

“ Asking for a budget is not awkward. It’s just part of doing business properly. It sets the tone for a respectful, honest working relationship. “

Let’s talk about something that makes a lot of creatives feel a bit weird. Money talk. More specifically, asking a client the question:
“Do you have a budget in mind?”

Sometimes clients dodge it completely. They say things like, “We’re not really sure” or “Just let us know your prices.” And a lot of creatives end up feeling like they’ve done something wrong by even asking. But you haven’t.

It is not rude or pushy to ask about a client’s budget. It’s actually one of the most practical and professional things you can do early in a project. Here’s why.

Creative work is not a product on a shelf

Design is custom work. You’re not selling a premade thing with a fixed label that says £12.99. Every project has its own shape, goals, deliverables and level of complexity. The price for a single-page PDF is going to look very different from a full brand identity with packaging, illustrations and social templates.

When you ask for a budget, you’re not being nosy. You’re figuring out what sort of project they’re asking for and how best you can help. It’s like asking for ingredients before you start cooking. You need to know what you’re working with.

It saves time for everyone

The earlier you get clarity on budget, the less time is wasted on back-and-forth. If a client is hoping for a full rebrand for £150, it’s better to find that out early before you put hours into a proposal, or worse, start the project and realise your time is being undervalued.

And sometimes, the budget surprises you in a good way. A client might have more to spend than expected, which means you can suggest more impactful options or offer a more in-depth service.

It keeps expectations realistic

A clear budget helps you shape a project that fits. You can say, “Within that budget, here’s what I recommend” rather than trying to cram in work that doesn’t make financial sense. It gives you and the client a shared understanding of what’s doable.

Stick to your value and don’t sell yourself short

Just because you’re open to hearing a client’s budget doesn’t mean you need to twist yourself into a pretzel to make it work. Your prices are based on experience, skill, time and the value you deliver. If a project would normally cost £1000 and someone wants it for £200, you’re allowed to say no. You’re not being difficult. You’re being fair to yourself.

But a low budget isn’t always a hard no

If a client comes to you with a smaller budget than expected, that doesn’t automatically mean the conversation ends. Let’s say they ask for a full brand identity, but their budget is more in line with a single logo design. You can respond honestly and say something like, “My full branding packages start at a higher rate, but for the budget you’ve got, I could offer a stand-alone logo design with one concept and two rounds of revisions.”

If it still feels reasonable and worth your time, offering a smaller scope can be a good way to build trust and possibly lead to more work in future. It’s all about flexibility, not compromise.

What if the client asks for your prices first?

If a client flips the script and says, “Can you just send me your prices?” that’s fair enough too. This is where having a price range comes in handy. For example: “Logo design projects usually fall between £500 and £1200 depending on complexity, deliverables and usage rights.” You’re giving them a ballpark while still keeping space for the specifics of their project.

It shows that you’re open, professional and not pulling numbers out of thin air.

Whatever price you accept — get paid properly

Whether you accept a high-end project or something smaller and simpler, that’s entirely your call. Some designers prefer working with start-ups and new businesses, others focus on bigger budgets and more involved work. Whatever you decide to take on is your business.

But here’s one thing that isn’t up for debate, always take an upfront deposit before starting any work. No matter how friendly the client is or how “urgent” the project sounds, don’t start designing without a payment in place. A green flag client will not have a problem with this. In fact, they’ll expect it. If they push back or act surprised, that’s your cue to pause and assess whether this is someone you actually want to work with.

No one enjoys chasing invoices. Start as you mean to go on.

In short

Asking for a budget is not awkward. It’s just part of doing business properly. It sets the tone for a respectful, honest working relationship. It helps you protect your time and energy, keeps expectations in check and lets you offer the right solutions for the right price.

So next time you’re tempted to feel weird about the money conversation, don’t. Own it. You’re not just an artist. You’re a professional. And professionals talk about budgets.