This page is the plain-language companion to SoCretia's Terms of Service, which govern all work. It's here to make the important parts easy to find — it doesn't replace them. If anything here reads differently than the Terms of Service, the Terms of Service apply.
Hey! Before we get into the fun stuff, here's how I run things. This keeps us both protected and makes sure the work actually happens.
All work is paid before it begins unless we've specifically agreed to another payment arrangement in writing.
Projects, services, phases, and add-ons are billed individually. If you select more than one service on the same proposal, that doesn't automatically combine them into one larger project or payment plan.
For example, a website project and an ongoing marketing service may appear together for convenience, but they remain separate services with their own scope, timeline, and payment requirements unless I specifically tell you they're being offered as one bundled project.
For some projects, I may offer a deposit, split payment, milestone payment, or other payment arrangement. These are offered on a case-by-case basis and will always be clearly outlined in your proposal, SOW, or invoice.
A payment arrangement offered for one project doesn't automatically apply to another project, add-on, or future service.
I don't hold your spot, begin work, release final deliverables, or move into the next project or phase while a required payment is outstanding.
PAYMENT PLANS
If we've agreed to a payment plan or instalment schedule, your proposal, SOW, or invoice will spell out the amount, the number of payments, and the dates. I'll ask you to keep a payment method on file so those payments can run automatically.
A payment plan is part of the agreement it belongs to — it isn't a separate side arrangement, and it doesn't reduce the total amount owed. It's just a friendlier way to pay it.
If a scheduled payment is missed or a card declines and we can't sort it out within 5 business days, the full remaining balance becomes due right away, and work pauses until the account is current. Late fees apply to a missed instalment the same way they apply to any other overdue invoice.
I'd much rather never use this paragraph. It's here so we both know where we stand.
Invoices are due upon receipt unless another due date or payment condition is clearly stated on your invoice, proposal, or Statement of Work.
If an invoice remains unpaid more than 5 business days after it is due, a one-time late fee of $75 or 5% of the outstanding balance, whichever is greater, may be applied.
Work, deliverables, or movement into the next project or phase may be paused while an account is past due. If an invoice reaches 60 calendar days past due, work will remain paused until the balance is cleared or we've agreed to another arrangement in writing. This includes accounts behind on a payment plan.
I'm a hands-on systems and tech support person. If a small, directly related issue comes up while I'm already working within the agreed scope, I'm not going to nickel-and-dime you for every tiny adjustment. That's just how good support works.
What does need its own conversation is a separate issue, brand-new project, new system, significant change in direction, or anything that materially changes the time, complexity, or resources required for the work.
If we uncover something outside the existing scope, I'll let you know before moving forward so we can decide whether it fits within the current project or needs additional approval, scope, or billing.
You'll have access to your project files throughout our work together.
When a project or retainer wraps up, I'll hand you a package with the deliverables, documentation, and access details for the work I did, so you or whoever comes next can pick it up without guesswork. If a hand-off needs materially more than gathering up what already exists — new documentation, training sessions, a migration — we'll scope that separately.
I keep project files for 60 days after an engagement ends, then they're deleted. Grab anything you want to keep before then. Anything living in your own accounts and platforms stays with you and stays your responsibility.
My core working days are Tuesday through Thursday. I respond to messages within 24 business hours on those days.
For everything else, expect a response within 72 hours.
Rush work includes requests requiring a turnaround of 72 hours or less, requests requiring work outside my normal working availability, or requests that significantly compress an already agreed project timeline.
When I'm able to accommodate rush work, the following expedited rates apply:
Hourly work: $400/hr (3-hour minimum)
Project work: project rate + 30% rush surcharge
Rush work is accepted on a case-by-case basis and is always subject to availability. A rush fee doesn't guarantee that I can take something on unless I've confirmed the request.
If something is urgent, flag it clearly and we'll figure out what's possible.
This policy may be updated from time to time as SoCretia's services and business practices evolve.
Updates generally apply to future projects, add-ons, renewals, and new engagements. An existing written project or payment arrangement won't be changed simply because this page is updated unless we both agree to the change in writing.
The current version and most recent update date will always be available here.
Questions? Just ask. Let's build something good.
Cretia