Terms of Service

1. Agreement to Terms

These Terms constitute a legally binding agreement between you and Clearline Studio LLC. When you submit a project inquiry, sign a project proposal, or make a payment, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agreed to these Terms. If you are entering this agreement on behalf of a company, you represent that you have the authority to bind that company.

2. Scope of Services

Clearline Studio provides web design, web development, copywriting, SEO setup, DNS configuration, SSL provisioning, and related services as described in a project proposal or statement of work agreed upon by both parties prior to the start of any project.

The specific deliverables, page count, features, and timeline for each project are defined in the project proposal. Work outside the agreed scope may be quoted and billed separately. We will notify you before undertaking any work that falls outside the original scope.

3. Payment Terms

Deposit: A non-refundable deposit of 50% of the total project fee is due before any work begins. Work does not start until the deposit is received.

Final payment: The remaining 50% is due upon project completion, prior to the transfer of final files or the deployment of the live site.

Late payments: Invoices unpaid after 14 days may result in a pause of active work until payment is received. Accounts more than 30 days past due may be subject to a late fee of 1.5% per month on the outstanding balance.

Refunds: The deposit is non-refundable as it reserves time and resources allocated to your project. If you cancel a project after work has begun, you are responsible for payment of all work completed up to the date of cancellation at the agreed project rate.

4. Revisions

Every project includes two rounds of revisions — one following the initial design presentation and one prior to final launch. A revision round is defined as a consolidated set of feedback submitted at one time.

Revisions must be submitted in writing (email is acceptable). Verbal revision requests will be confirmed in writing before implementation. Additional revision rounds beyond the two included are available at a flat rate, quoted at the time of request.

Revision requests that represent a fundamental change in project direction, brand, or scope may be treated as new work and quoted accordingly.

5. Timeline & Client Responsibilities

Project timelines are estimates based on normal working conditions and timely client participation. Clearline Studio will make every reasonable effort to meet agreed deadlines.

Timelines may be affected by delays in client feedback, approval, or delivery of required materials. If a client causes a delay of more than 14 days, Clearline Studio reserves the right to reschedule the project and, if necessary, charge a restart fee.

The client is responsible for providing accurate information, timely feedback, access to domain registrar accounts, and any content or assets required for the project. Delays caused by missing client-side inputs are not the responsibility of Clearline Studio.

6. Intellectual Property

Client ownership upon full payment: Once the project is paid in full, the client owns all custom design assets, written copy, and code created specifically for their project. Clearline Studio transfers all rights to these materials at the time of final payment.

Portfolio rights: Clearline Studio retains the right to display completed work in our portfolio, on our website, and in marketing materials. We will not share confidential business information in connection with this display. If you require a confidentiality clause regarding portfolio use, this must be agreed upon in the project proposal.

Third-party assets: Stock photography, licensed fonts, icon libraries, and any other third-party assets used in your project are licensed for use but are not owned by the client or Clearline Studio. The client is responsible for maintaining any required licenses for ongoing use of third-party assets after project completion.

Tools and methods: Clearline Studio retains ownership of its working processes, proprietary tools, methods, and any code libraries or frameworks developed independently of your project.

7. Client-Provided Content

By providing content (text, images, logos, trademarks, or other materials) for use in your project, you represent and warrant that you have the right to use that content and that its use will not infringe on any third-party rights.

Clearline Studio will not be liable for any claims arising from client-provided content. The client agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Clearline Studio from any claims, damages, or expenses — including attorney's fees — arising from client-provided content.

8. Confidentiality

Both parties agree to keep confidential any non-public information disclosed during the course of the project — including business strategies, pricing, client lists, and technical specifications — and not to disclose such information to any third party without prior written consent.

This obligation does not apply to information that is publicly available, independently developed, or required to be disclosed by law.

9. Warranty & Limitation of Liability

Bug warranty: Clearline Studio warrants that completed websites will function as agreed and described. Any defects or bugs that are a direct result of our work will be corrected at no charge within 60 days of launch. This warranty does not cover issues arising from client modifications, third-party platform changes, or hosting infrastructure outside our control.

No guarantee of results: Clearline Studio does not guarantee specific business outcomes, search engine rankings, traffic levels, or conversion rates. While we build for performance and credibility, results depend on many factors outside our control.

Limitation of liability: In no event shall Clearline Studio's total liability to the client exceed the total fees paid for the specific project in question. Clearline Studio shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages, including lost profits or loss of business, even if advised of the possibility of such damages.

10. Termination

Either party may terminate a project engagement with written notice. Upon termination:

• The client is responsible for payment of all work completed up to the date of termination
• Clearline Studio will deliver all completed work product to the client upon receipt of final payment for work completed
• The non-refundable deposit will not be returned under any circumstances

Clearline Studio reserves the right to terminate a project immediately and without refund if the client engages in abusive, threatening, or fraudulent behavior.

11. Monthly Retainer Services

Monthly retainer agreements are month-to-month with no minimum commitment. Either party may cancel with 14 days written notice.

Retainer services begin on the first day of the billing month following agreement. Retainer fees are billed in advance at the start of each month and are non-refundable for the current billing period once invoiced.

The scope of retainer services — including the number of hours, types of tasks covered, and response time commitments — will be defined in the retainer agreement. Work outside the defined retainer scope will be quoted separately.

12. Governing Law & Disputes

These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of North Carolina, without regard to conflict of law principles. Any dispute arising from these Terms or a project engagement shall be resolved first through good-faith negotiation between the parties.

If negotiation fails, disputes shall be submitted to binding arbitration in Wake County, North Carolina, under the rules of the American Arbitration Association. Each party is responsible for their own legal fees unless otherwise required by applicable law.

13. Contact

Questions about these Terms? Contact us before entering into any project agreement.