Payment Terms & Rates

From experience, I’ve found that clients prefer to be billed by the project. I myself favour evaluating and pricing each project separately to achieve the fairest possible price — fairer to both you the client and me.

How fair? Well, if I'm ultra-fast, I’ll marvel at my literary prowess and rest assured that I won't be penalised by working for an ever-dwindling hourly rate. But if I'm a bit on the slow side (What! Me?), say because of an extremely complex project, then you the client aren’t penalised by the accumulation of costly hours.

More importantly, the bill at the end reflects the price you were quoted. No more, no less. And no nasty surprises. Ordering info.

Tailored to your needs...
The fee I present to clients is always a fixed one, specifically tailored to meet the exact details of the job — before work starts. Some projects require more research to complete than others. Some are more difficult because of specific parameters that must be met to reach a client’s ambitions.

For example, let’s say you want a simple classified ad and it takes me just an hour or two to complete. Should you be charged as much as the client whose project takes a few hours of research even before we can begin writing? I certainly don’t think so!

Simply put, there is no 'typical' project. So I treat each job on its own merit, right down to setting a price for it. For your job, I’ll look at factors such as its nature, scope and the treatment/research required. And then I’ll quote you a price for your project.

Great! But how do you order from me?
By following these five easy steps:

1. Send me the details of your project through my 'Let's talk!' form. Or, contact me by fax, phone or snail mail.
2. I'll forward a short 'copy cost request form' for you to complete.
3. Return it to me, along with any supplementary documentation I might need to see.
4. I'll give you a flat project fee.
5. If my quote is within your budget, give me the go-ahead and we'll get started.

There is no charge for a cost consultation. And absolutely no obligation to buy from me.

Want to get together to go over your project face-to-face? I’d be delighted to meet with you. Just let me know where you are and when's best for you?

Whatever the price, you’ll find my fees are always competitive. Why not find out for yourself and email me for a free, no-obligation estimate?

Okay, now the boring but important bit:

1. Pricing Per-project, per-page, per-word or retainer pricing option is available for most jobs. I am always sensitive to budget limitations. Email me details of your project, stating whether you would prefer a range or fixed-fee quote, needs so that I can provide an estimate. All consulting, whether in person, on the phone, or via email is billed at £55–£85 per hour. I do offer some initial consultation for most projects on free of charge.
   
2. Fees, please read:
• Fees for projects over £1,000 are billed 1/3 at the start of the project, 1/3 at a mutually agreed mid-point, and the final 1/3 on delivery.
• Projects costing £250-£1,000 are payable on a 50-50 basis (50% as a deposit with the balance invoiced and payable immediately on project completion).
• Those under £250 (and for all critiques) are billed 100% upfront.
• No exceptions. Sorry.

  DO YOU AGREE TO THESE TERMS?
  IF YES, great! I look forward to working together. Now please will you answer the questions below and return this document to me. Instructions are set out at the foot of this document.
  IF NO, sorry I couldn’t help you on this occasion. But I am happy to check whether any of my trusted colleagues will take on your project. So please get in touch anyway, letting me know your preference.

3. Invoices are payable upon receipt of invoice, or within 14 days from the date of the invoice — whichever is sooner. In cases of overdue accounts, I will exercise my statutory rights under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998. In this respect, interest at the rate of 3 per cent above base rate per 14-day period will be added, compounded in each 14-day period on any outstanding balance from the date of the invoice until the date of receipt of payment in full. Also, please be advised that, in accordance with European Directive 2000/35/EC, a debt recovery fee of £40 will be charged.
   
4. Payment can be made via:
   
• BACS or direct bank transfer (you will be responsible for any incurred bank charges over £1)
  
• Standing order
  
• Postal order
  
• Personal or business cheque in any currency
  
• Credit or debit cards via the Paypal or NoChex electronic systems (free to join)
  
5. Travel If you are not locally based (within the Brighton/Hove area), and even if you are, I can work effectively and efficiently in a 'virtual' environment. Most of my clients conduct most or all of our business via email and over the telephone. When you do feel that a meeting is required, I will be happy to travel anywhere in the world. All travel, hotel, food, any necessary car rental plus any other related expenses must be paid directly by the client.
   
6. If any stage of the project is delayed for longer than 30 days, or cancelled at any time after project commencement, I will invoice for the work completed to date (unless in the unlikely event of me postponing or cancelling the job).
   
7. If a bank returns a client’s cheque or a postal order/bank transfer/standing order is refused, the client will be held responsible for all bank charges and any attendant costs resulting from the returned cheque.
   
8. Please note – Should the client's original requirements change before delivery and acceptance of the final product, I reserve the right after suitable consultation to amend the original quotation.
   

For my full Terms & Conditions, simply contact me...

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