Learn how hourly contracts and weekly limits work on Upwork, including how to set, change, or remove limits, and what happens if your freelancer exceeds them.
In this article
- How do hourly contracts and weekly limits work?
- How do I set or change the number of hours my freelancer can work during a week?
- What happens if I increase or decrease the limit?
- What if a freelancer works beyond the weekly limit?
- How do I remove the weekly limit?
How do hourly contracts and weekly limits work?
With an hourly contract (versus a fixed-price project), you and the freelancer agree to an hourly rate before work begins. Freelancers then track the time they worked in their work diary, either automatically or manually. (Only time tracked automatically qualifies for Hourly Payment Protection.)
You can set a weekly hour limit as part of the contract terms. This defines the maximum hours a freelancer can log each week.
How do I set or change the number of hours my freelancer can work during a week?
You can set a weekly limit when creating a contract, or update it later.
When creating a new hourly contract:
- Go to the job offer
- In the Contract terms section, set the maximum hours per week. You can also choose No limit.
- Send the offer
To change an active contract:
- Go to Manage work > Your contracts
- Find the freelancer’s contract
- Select the … (options) menu
- Choose Change weekly limit and update the number of hours
What happens if I increase or decrease the limit?
Increase: The higher limit takes effect right away. Hours already tracked in the freelancer’s work diary count toward the new weekly total.
Decrease: The lower limit takes effect at the start of the next work week (Monday at 12:00 a.m. UTC).
You can adjust the limit any time. If you raise it temporarily, remember to lower it again before Sunday at 11:59 p.m. UTC.
Note: When you change the limit the freelancer will be prompted to review and accept the update. It’s best to discuss scope, deadlines, and expectations before adjusting the contract terms.
What if a freelancer works beyond the weekly limit?
Only hours logged within the weekly limit are billable. Extra hours aren’t billed — or covered by Hourly Payment Protection — unless you are enrolled in Upwork Payroll.
If you do wish to pay the freelancer for extra hours, you can give them a bonus.
How do I remove the weekly limit?
To remove the limit altogether:
- Go to Manage work > Your contracts
- Find the freelancer’s contract
- Select … (options) menu
- Choose Change weekly limit
- Select No limit from the list