[brudgers]

Bad projects, for however you choose to define "bad", are the price of experience as a consultant. There are bad projects in the sense that they go on longer than you expected and there are bad projects because you don't get paid, for however you choose to define "not getting paid." Short term advice:

1. If the scope is expanding and you're not getting paid, stop work.

2. If the scope is expanding and you're getting paid, attach a higher price to the additional work. That price should be high enough that it is worth your while to do it...though I'm not sure what the pissed off fiance market rate is these days.

3. If the client wants changes, then that obviously changes the schedule. You are not responsible for maintaining the same velocity beyond the time period associated with the initial project scope...your velocity can change. The client can then prioritize based on their new scope.

I had a very similar project. Client came back for phase two two years later after making a mess of a lot of relationships during phase one. I learned to put an expiration date on my rates after which if the project was not completed, I had the right to renegotiate my terms, and that most people recover from being let down when it comes to bargain priced services.

Good luck.