Terms of Business

Terms for Web Design, Development, Graphic Design and Print

These are Character Creates terms for Graphic and Website Design projects. They should help us when we work together. The terms are primarily for Website design projects but also include web and email hosting and domain names.

Before the Work Starts

  1. We will provide a proposal of costs based on an initial needs analysis before any work on a project starts. This will be decided together and will determine the price for the project. If we provide you with an estimate for work before a full specification is provided, this is only an estimate. The price may change when the full specification is decided. A full specification would normally need all website content to be provided and the functionality agreed.
  2. After a specification is agreed, a price and estimated start and completion date will be provided to the client (providing deposits are paid on time).

Payments and Deposit

  1. After a price is agreed, a 50% deposit will be invoiced; it must be paid and cleared in Character Creates Ltd bank account before any work starts.
  2. The remaining 50% will be invoiced after our involvement in the project is complete. 
  3. The deposit is only refundable if no work starts.
  4. Ownership of digital assets and files will remain the property of Character Creates until full balance is received and account status is clear.

Completion Date

  1. We will make every effort to meet the agreed completion date. Sometimes, circumstances change and if for any reason we cannot meet the agreed completion date we will openly discuss this and notify you in plenty of time.
  2. Any requests for extra work or changes to the project must be supplied in writing (for example, by email).
  3. Requests for extra work or changes to the project specification after the specification is agreed, or are requested after the project has started, will affect the agreed completion date and agreed price. Any requests for extra work or changes to the project will be quoted for and, if agreed, will be invoiced in advance as an interim payment.
  4. If, for whatever reason, the client would like to move the completion date to an earlier time than agreed, a “rush fee” will apply, although this will be agreed before the rush work is started.
  5. In addition to testing and checks that we carry out, it is the client’s responsibility to check over the finished project.

Technical Standards

  1. We build the website to follow current web standards (within the agreed specification and budget).  
  2. Your site includes a mobile device friendly design (a responsive design).

Web Hosting Costs

  1. Web hosting is payable yearly in advance. You must notify Character Creates by email, 60 days prior, to cancel. No refunds are given if hosting is cancelled.
  2. Web hosting accounts will be suspended a week after the invoice is due if payment has not been received. This means that a website won’t be visible to visitors. It can be restored on full payment of the invoice.
  3. On the anniversary of your hosting account, our systems will automatically generate your hosting renewal invoice.

Domain Names

  1. Domain names are purchased on your behalf and you own the name. In the event that Character Creates ceases trading, the Domain Name will be transferred back to you and access granted to our hosting partner package in which your domain is registered.
  2. We make a small admin charge of £50 to transfer domain names away from our servers, however such transfers will only be affected once all outstanding invoices issued by Character Creates have been settled in full.
  3. Registration of domain names is carried out on our clients’ behalf on a ‘best endeavours’ basis. There may be circumstances that mean we are unable to secure a requested domain name. Under these circumstances we will work with you to find a suitable alternative.
  4. On the anniversary of your hosting account, our systems will automatically generate your hosting renewal invoice. 
  5. If payments due are not received on schedule by Character Creates we reserve the right to suspend, withdraw or cancel services.
  6. Domain and hosting renewals fall due on the renewal date. Any cancellation or change to those services must be received in writing or by email, 60 days prior, before the renewal date. If you cancel your account, no refunds will be made.

Email usage

  1. To protect your privacy we never distribute your name or email address to any third parties. Users must not participate in any form of unsolicited bulk emailing or spam. If you have a legitimate requirement to bulk email you must use third party software such as Mailchimp.
  2. Commercial use of our hosting and email services is permitted. You will be responsible for the content of your website and emails, including obtaining the legal permission for any works they include and ensuring that their contents do not violate UK law.
  3. There is a size limit on email attachments of 10 Mb.

Your Webspace

  1. Data stored on our servers is not guaranteed to be backed up, however backups are taken usually every 24 hours, and often older versions of files (since deleted) may be available in our monthly backups. A charge may be made for recovery of file(s). It is recommended that you keep an independent backup of all data stored on your webspace.
  2. We shall not be held liable for any loss or damages caused by the use or misuse, unavailability or removal of services. When your account is closed, all files (including web pages) will be deleted. We reserve the right to cancel your account at any time without notice.
  3. Each hosting product includes a set bandwidth. If you exceed this usage, you may be required to upgrade your hosting account to cover bandwidth used.
  1. You will be held responsible for, and accept responsibility for, any defamatory, confidential, secret or other proprietary material available via your web site or email. We reserve the right to remove material deemed inappropriate from your web pages, without prior notice. Character Creates do not allow their servers to be used for any illegal purpose. For the avoidance of doubt Character Creates does not permit the use of its servers for adult content.
  2. These Terms and Conditions may be amended and updated at any time without notice.

Payment Terms

  1. For new clients, paying the first 50% deposit acts as an agreement for the above terms. For Web projects, we expect the balance to be paid on upload/going live. For graphic design/print provision, balance is to be made, by the client, prior to taking delivery of printed matter.
  2. For existing account clients, we ask for payment within 30 days from date of invoice.
  3. Ownership of digital assets and files will remain the property of Character Creates until full balance is received and account status is clear.
  4. We understand that sometimes the most difficult part of any creative project can be giving up your time to develop content and images, therefore, depending on the length of time a project can take, we may, after discussion with you, invoice the project in phases to account for time we have allocated in that phase.