4. Payments and Charges

4.1 Deposits - For certain services, a deposit is required before work can commence. The specific amount and terms will be outlined in the written proposal provided to you.

4.2 Upfront Billing - Unless otherwise agreed in writing, all services are billed in advance. This may include full payment or an upfront deposit, depending on the nature of the project.

4.3 Late Payments - We reserve the right to suspend or withhold services if invoices remain unpaid beyond the due date. This suspension will be at our discretion and without liability for any resulting delay or loss.

4.4 Late Payment Fee - A fixed late payment charge of ten per cent (10%) of the outstanding balance will be applied for every thirty (30) calendar days that payment remains overdue, until full settlement is received.

4.5 Additional Costs - If the scope of work exceeds what was originally estimated, we reserve the right to issue revised proposals or quotations to reflect the additional work or resources required. These may be issued without prior notice where necessary to maintain progress, and continued use of our services will be deemed acceptance of the revised charges.

4.6 Pricing Changes - We may amend our pricing from time to time. Any changes will be communicated to you in advance and will apply only to future projects or renewed agreements. Existing signed contracts or ongoing projects will not be affected.

4.7 Third-Party Expenses - You remain responsible for any third-party costs directly related to your project. These may include, but are not limited to, domain registration, website hosting, software licences, stock assets or additional tools. We will always obtain your approval before incurring such expenses on your behalf.

4.8 Taxes - All fees and quoted prices are exclusive of VAT or any other applicable taxes, which will be charged in accordance with UK law and added to your invoice where relevant.

4.9 Payment Methods - We accept payment by bank transfer, direct debit, credit or debit card, or any other method agreed in writing. You are responsible for any transaction or processing fees charged by your payment provider.

4.10 Direct Debit Requirement - From May 2023, all new clients are required to pay for any recurring services via direct debit. Clients engaged prior to this date will be asked to transition to direct debit payment. If a direct debit mandate is not set up when requested, we reserve the right to suspend your services until payment arrangements are in place.

4.11 Delayed Commencement or Inactivity - Where a client makes a payment or deposit but does not provide the required content, approvals, or instructions to begin or continue the project within thirty (30) days of payment, the project may be deemed inactive. In such cases, we reserve the right to close the project file without notice. If the client later wishes to resume the work, this may be treated as a new project and may be subject to revised pricing, availability, or additional charges to reflect changes in scheduling, resourcing, or scope. Payments made prior to the period of inactivity will not be refunded or carried forward unless expressly agreed in writing.