Terms of Service
1. The Agreement
1.1 The Terms of Service relate to a single service or services provided by Sarah Wilson-Blackwell – The Sarky Type® (henceforth known as the Contractor) and You and/or Your Business Name (henceforth known as the Client).
1.2 The Terms of Service will remain in full force and effect until the service/services have been delivered.
1.3 Quotations will remain valid for 30 days. The Contractor reserves the right to revise the quote should the Client wish to proceed after that period.
1.4 The Contractor will provide a quote based on information supplied by the Client. If, on reflection, more work is involved the Contractor reserves the right to re-quote where applicable.
1.5 The agreement relates to works quoted for and secured via payment. Any further work required will be evaluated and priced separately.
2. Payment
2.1 Payment terms: the balance is required in full before any work can be scheduled.
2.2 Retainer services require an advance payment of the full amount to secure the work. Future payments will be arranged via Direct Debit in advance of the work due date.
2.3 Standard payments to the Contractor are to be made via Bank Transfer: details of which are stated on the invoice.
2.4 Late payment fees will be charged at an interest rate of 8% plus The Bank Of England base rate. These fees will be accrued for each day the payment has not been received.
2.5 The Client is liable for any fees incurred to the Contractor whilst attempting to recover any missed and/or late payments.
2.6 Refunds are given at the discretion of the Contractor.
3. Cancellations
3.1 If the Client cancels less than 5 working days prior to the start date, the Contractor will retain any payments made.
3.2 If the Client cancels whilst work is being undertaken the Contractor (where applicable) will invoice the Client for any work already completed.
3.3 The Contractor requires 60 days notice for the cancellation of any retainer services. The Contractor will also give the Client 60 days notice if they wish to terminate the agreement. Written consent in the form of an email will be required by both parties and the 60 days start from the date of the cancellation email.
3.4 The Contractor reserves the right to cancel the agreement at any given time if the Client breaches the Terms of Service.
4. The Contractor
4.1 The Contractor is registered for Self Assessment with HMRC and is a self-employed, independent party. They are liable for their own business expenses and tax contributions.
4.2 The Contractor works remotely.
4.3 The Contractor will communicate via email and/or any other written means.
4.4 Phone/video calls are not necessary for the Contractor to provide their services. Any such communication is arranged at the discretion of the Contractor.
4.5 The Contractor is not obliged to be available at all times to the Client during the period of the agreement.
4.6 The Contractor is not obliged to inform the Client of any leave they may take during the agreement. In the event that any absence or unavailability directly impacts the deliverable date of services, the Contractor will inform the Client as soon as possible.
4.7 The Contractor reserves the right to secure any other work during the agreement.
4.8 The Contractor will correspond with one point of contact only. That includes any revisions the Client may request.
4.9 Revisions will be accepted at the first draft stage only. Once amendments have been made, the draft will be handed to the Contractor’s proofreader.
4.10 The Contractor will not accept a first draft that has been edited or altered by the Client.
4.11 The Contractor will use a Word or Pages document when sending the first draft and completed document.
4.12 The Contractor will not accept any writing advice or ‘tips’ from the Client.
5. Standard of Service
5.1 The Contractor will work to the highest standard, ensuring they deliver the service and/or services to the best of their ability with the knowledge they have sourced and received from the Client. However, “highest” and “best” are terms open to interpretation and vary depending on the individual.
6. Feedback
6.1 The Contractor welcomes well-intentioned feedback. If the Client is happy with the service or wishes to offer ways in which it could be improved, please send an email to: info@thesarkytype.com
7. Confidentiality and Data Protection
7.1 Any information provided by the Client will only be used to provide the service to the Client. All information is stored offline on an external, password-protected hard drive. The Client can request access to their data and ensure it is accurate and up to date. The Client can request data stored is destroyed after the agreement ends. The Contractor will not divulge client information to a third party. These obligations will apply during the agreement and will survive indefinitely. Any information shared via email will be subject to the Contractor’s email service provider’s terms. To find out how Gmail manage your data, click here.
Further information about how the Contractor processes your data can be found in their Privacy Policy
8. Intellectual Property
8.1 All intellectual property and related material, including trade secrets, moral rights, goodwill, relevant registrations or applications for registration, and rights in any patent, copyright, trademark, trade dress, industrial design and trade name that is produced under the agreement, will be the sole property of the Client once the agreement is complete and full payment is received.
8.2 The Contractor will be permitted to use the intellectual property beyond the agreement for marketing purposes.
9. Indemnity and Liability
9.1 The Client is responsible for the accuracy and completeness of the project/work/items/documents and all information provided to the Contractor to complete the service/services.
9.2 It is the sole responsibility of the Client to ensure that their work does not breach plagiarism and copyright guidelines.
9.3 The Contractor is not liable for incidental, indirect, consequential, special, punitive, or exemplary damages, including the following:
– Any loss of actual or anticipated revenues or profits.
– Any loss of business or expected future business.
– Any loss of data related to the service.
– Any damage to reputation or goodwill.
– Any loss or damage that is not foreseeable.
– Any loss arising in the event that the use of the services is in breach of the Client’s university/academic institution’s regulations governing academic work.
10. Force Majeure
10.1 The Contractor is not liable for any failure or delay in performing their obligations where that failure or delay results from any cause that is beyond their reasonable control. Causes that include but are not limited to, power failure, internet service provider failure, industrial action, civil unrest, fire, explosion, flood, storms, earthquakes, subsidence, acts of terrorism, acts of war, and governmental action. Epidemic or other natural disasters, or any other extraordinary or difficult circumstance that is beyond their control.