This is a good usecase for a second number service like http://yuilop.com/ or Google Voice.

+1 for Google Voice - easy to use, easy to block, easy to shut off, etc

My clients would pay a lot of money for phone bills if that was the case hah, but there was this one time a client called me in the middle of the night being like:" Wait, where do you live again? "

If you are in the states I don't see a wrong in that, clients might react better if their worker is like call if you need me bla, bla. It's just a trick to make some clients just feel better about you.

I have found that with clients who want a mobile number, they often want it as a way of guaranteed contact with you. Whether that's because they are really involved or because they are anxious about hiring a new designer, you could help them with this by (echoing what Sarah K. said) letting them know some times you will definitely be available.

That being said, they certainly cannot demand a mobile number. I do not provide mine to clients, and have woken up to 'urgent' emails that were sent at 3am that would have certainly resulted in a wake-up call.

If you think it's a dealbreaker for this client, you probably don't want to work for them anyway!

Sometimes it's nice just to get some voice to voice action going on. If you're worried that they are going to keep calling you over and over again at all hours, put a timeframe of call availability. I've done this in the past and has worked a treat. i.e Only available for calls between 6 pm - 8 pm on weekdays.

I never give out my personal number to clients. I usually relegate a Google Voice number of Skype ID for communication purposes outside of email.

Works great so far.

You could be really mean and give your client a "Rejection Hotline" number. But jokes aside, there is no such thing as a demand.

You are in this project together, and your client needs to respect how you work. If you never give out #s, they should understand. That said, if that's not a big deal for you and your client really wants this, then maybe you could yield and give out the number.

From what it sounds though, if a client is unreasonably pushy on silly things, you will probably not have a good experience.

I suggest you think it over. I've been in that situation and it didn't work well.

I normally give my mobile phone number out quite easily, prefacing that I don't pick up most of the time, and will call people back when I'm good and ready.

The age of the mobile phone has people expecting you to jump at their every beck and call. Not me.

If you don't mind to walk around with two phones, just get two numbers mate, one for work and one for personal (aka family, friends, etc) use. It works great for me.

I'll always give clients my phone number. I think it's important to have open communication, especially if there's an emergency of some sort I'll want to know about it and get it fixed up asap. If the client is annoying or overbearing, that's a red flag that I probably don't want to work with them, it was my mistake picking up the job in the first place, and I should be more careful selecting clients in the future, but this has not happened to me yet.

That being said, I only take on very few freelance clients that I have vetted thoroughly to make sure I like them as people and have an easy time working with them (because I work full time anyway so I don't have much time for freelance) - so take this with a grain of salt if you do more freelance than me and/or aren't as picky about your clients.

I guess I had really gotten used to my number being available since my phone number is my website among other media that gets around. But, I have to agree with other comments: the "demanding" of the number is worrisome.

I've happily given it to clients in the past but with very clear boundaries on what my working hours are. Now I typically use Trello and Email for project management and Skype for voice contact but again, I'm clear on what office hours.

I never give out my mobile number. Mainly because it wouldn't be an appropriate time if I'm not available on Skype or Email.

It's all personal preference though, and what you feel comfortable doing.

I never really thought twice about providing a client with a mobile number. That doesn't mean I always answer the phone though - I usually allow calls to go to voicemail if I'm in the zone or out of office hours.

I only have a mobile number. It's pretty normal here to give out mobile numbers to everyone in the Netherlands. Just give it. If he calls you in weekends, tell him you don't want that.