Helen Carrie Writes - Terms and Conditions of Service

 

Introduction

 

What do we both agree to do?

 

As my client, you agree:

 

• You have the power to enter into this contract on behalf of your organisation.

• To provide me with everything I need to complete the project, when I need it.

• To review my work, provide feedback and sign off within agreed timescales.

• To stick to the payment schedule agree.

 

As the supplier, I agree:

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• I have the experience and ability to deliver the services you need from me.

• I will carry this service out in a professional manner.

• I will respect the confidentiality of any information you give me.

 

The service I provide to you:

 

• I will provide copywriting, content marketing or brand voice consultancy to you based on the brief that I will agree with you.

• I will help you develop this brief so you are clear on what you will get.

• I will deliver the copy in via Google Docs, unless otherwise stated.

 

Changes and revisions

 

This agreement includes:

 

• Initial delivery of a complete copy document.

• A reasonable round of amends if required (two rounds for more complex jobs)

 

Please note I allow 7 working days for reasonable amends and revisions, beyond which point I will assume that none are required and invoice accordingly.

 

If my rates change I will give you written notice 30 days beforehand.

 

This only applies up to the point where you sign off my work, print/publish it or begin using it on your website. Beyond sign-off, any further amends/revisions will incur additional charge.

 

Scope creep

 

For each job, I will ask you to complete an onboarding questionnaire from you which I can help you draw up a scope of work. This includes information such as your target audience, the project description, your key messages, tone of voice and house style. Make sure you are completely happy with this. Once the brief is agreed, any edits or rework must take place within the scope of what’s described there.

 

The reason for this is that changing the brief can create lots of extra work, particularly if we have already spent time on the project. This is not budgeted for in the cost I give you.

 

The main circumstances in which this situation is likely to occur are if you:

 

• Decide to redesign the structure of your website or the layout of the pages themselves. For instance, changing the site map or adding extra pages.

• Substantially alter the positioning, features or selling points of the products or services the text describes.

 

It is best for both of us if we don’t start work until these items have been agreed.

 

Errors and Omissions

 

I make every effort to ensure that each project is proofread, grammatically accurate and factually referenced where applicable. However, I cannot guarantee that every project is completely free from typographical, grammatical or factual errors.

 

I’ll correct any errors free of charge, but cannot be held liable for any incurred costs as a result.

 

Copyright

 

When I have received full and final payment, copyright of the work I produce is automatically assigned to you. You can then use the work however you wish. However, until final payment is received, copyright of the work remains with Helen Carrie Writes.

 

I reserve the right to display and link to your completed project as part of our online portfolio, unless you specifically object. I’ll always check with you first.

 

Deadlines

 

Together we will agree a start date, and a completion date.

 

I will only commit to a deadline that we know we can deliver on. I believe in hitting deadlines, but can only do this with your help. I can’t be responsible for a missed deadline if you have been late with a payment, are slow to supply information or don’t provide feedback to our agreed timescales.

 

I also can’t be responsible for deadlines missed due to circumstances completely beyond my control, like family emergencies, floods, war, acts of god and so on.

 

Further changes will obviously take extra time. We can agree deadlines for those together, but I’ll do everything we can to meet your needs

 

Payments

 

I invoice 40% upfront to be able to start the work, and then a final 60% upon delivery of the first draft. For ongoing work I will invoice every month, but I may ask for a deposit.

 

I'm always happy to chat about retainers, too. Invoices will be delivered as PDFs via email, and payment terms are 30 days from the date of the invoice, unless we have agreed something different with you.

 

I reserve the right to add 10% if payment is not forthcoming after these 30 days are up. If payment still doesn’t arrive we will consult with FSB’s Debt Recovery Team. I have never had to do this to date, and very much hope that remains the case.

 

We accept BACS payments but not cheques. Our fees are non-refundable, even if you subsequently decide not to use the content we create for you.

 

Expenses

 

Most of the work I carry out is fully remote, so my expenses are minimal. There may be rare occasions when I am required to meet face-to-face, and I will charge for travel/subsistence costs incurred. This will always be communicated to you in advance.

 

Confidentiality

 

I'm always happy to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) if necessary. I treat client confidentiality with the utmost respect at all times.

 

Cancelling a project

 

I understand that sometimes things change. If you wish to cancel a project, let me know as soon as possible. I will require you to make a payment to cover any work already done. This fee will be based on the percentage of the project completed. It is your obligation to maintain communication throughout the duration of the project. Should you fail to maintain communication with regard to a project for more than 21 days, I’ll halt progress on the project until you make contact again.

 

I will let you know via an email address that we have successfully communicated with before. 3 days will be allowed for the last email to be responded to, after which I will issue an invoice for any unpaid work done.

 

Legal stuff

 

I work with good intent at all times. I will do my best to ensure all facts and statements in our work are true and that it doesn’t infringe upon any copyright or other right of a third party. Everything I produce is 100% genuine and unique. Anything you tell me about your business that is commercially sensitive will be kept confidential. However, I am not a legal expert and can't be liable to you, or any third party, for damages, including lost profits, lost savings, complaints, claims, litigation or other incidental, consequential or special damages which arise regarding this assignment.

 

I always recommend that you use a legal expert to review any content I produce for you to ensure you are operating legally. If any provision of this agreement shall be unlawful, void, or for any reason unenforceable, then that provision shall be deemed severable from this agreement and shall not affect the validity and enforceability of any remaining provisions.

 

You cannot transfer this contract to anyone else without my permission. This contract stays in place and need not be renewed. Although the language is simple, the intentions are serious and this contract is a legal document under exclusive jurisdiction of English courts.

 

By accepting my quote in writing/via email you are agreeing to these Terms and Conditions of Service. If you have any questions please email helen@helencarriewrites.co.uk.

 

I look forward to working with you.