Terms & Conditions

Section 1

Domain Names

Tri County Web Design does not guarantee the availability, registration, transfer, or continued ownership of any domain name. Domain names are governed entirely by independent third-party domain registrars (such as GoDaddy, Namecheap, Google Domains, and others) and are subject to their policies, pricing, availability, and terms of service.

• We make no representations or warranties regarding the availability of any specific domain name.
• All domain registrations, renewals, transfers, and related fees are the sole responsibility of the Client.
• Tri County Web Design shall bear no liability for domain name expiration, loss, hijacking, or disputes with registrars or third parties.
• The Client is solely responsible for maintaining domain registration and renewal to prevent service interruption.
• Domain names registered on behalf of a Client remain the property of the Client, subject to registrar policies.

Section 2

Third-Party Services

Our services may involve or recommend third-party platforms, services, software, plugins, APIs, hosting providers, payment processors, content delivery networks, or other external tools. Tri County Web Design is not responsible for the performance, reliability, availability, security, pricing changes, or discontinuation of any third-party service.

• Web hosting services are managed by third-party providers. We are not responsible for hosting outages, data loss, security breaches, or pricing changes imposed by hosting companies.
• Plugins, themes, extensions, and software integrations are subject to their own licensing terms and may require separate purchase or subscription.
• APIs and external integrations may change, break, or become unavailable at any time without notice. We are not liable for resulting service disruptions.
• Third-party payment processors are responsible for the security of financial transactions. We do not store payment card information.
• The Client assumes full responsibility for compliance with third-party terms of service.

Section 3

Payment Terms

All projects require payment in accordance with the following terms. These terms are non-negotiable and must be agreed upon prior to the commencement of any work.

• Deposit Required: A non-refundable deposit of fifty percent (50%) of the total project cost is due before any design or development work begins. No work will commence until the deposit is received and cleared.
• Final Payment: The remaining balance is due in full prior to the launch, delivery, or transfer of the completed website or deliverables. Finished work will not be delivered or published before full payment is received.
• Accepted Payment Methods: Payments must be made via the methods specified in the project proposal or invoice.
• Late Payments: Invoices not paid within fifteen (15) days of the due date may be subject to a late fee of 1.5% per month on the outstanding balance.
• Project Holds: Projects with outstanding balances may be placed on hold until payment is received. Timeline delays resulting from payment holds are the Client's responsibility.

Section 4

Refund Policy

By submitting a deposit or payment, the Client acknowledges and agrees to the following:

• The initial deposit compensates for time reserved, resources allocated, and preliminary work performed.
• No refunds will be issued for work already completed, regardless of the reason for cancellation.
• If a Client cancels a project after work has begun, the deposit and any additional payments made are forfeited in full.
• Partial refunds may be considered solely at the Company's discretion in exceptional circumstances, and such consideration does not establish any precedent or obligation.
• Disputes regarding payment do not entitle the Client to a refund or chargeback without prior written agreement from Tri County Web Design.

Section 5

Revisions and Changes

Each project proposal will specify the number of revision rounds included in the quoted price. Revisions are defined as minor adjustments to existing design elements and do not include new features, redesigns, or scope changes.

• Included Revisions: The number of included revision rounds is specified in the project proposal. Each round includes a reasonable, consolidated set of changes.
• Additional Revisions: Revision requests exceeding the included rounds will be billed at the Company's standard hourly rate, with a minimum one (1) hour charge per session.
• Scope Changes: Requests for new features, structural redesigns, additional pages, or functionality not in the original scope are change orders and will be quoted separately.
• Revision Requests: All revision requests must be submitted in writing (email) and must be specific and consolidated. Verbal revision requests will not be accepted.
• Delay from Revisions: Excessive revision rounds may impact project timelines. The Company is not liable for delays caused by revision cycles.

Section 6

Project Timelines

All project timelines and completion dates provided by Tri County Web Design are estimates only and are not guaranteed. Timelines are subject to change based on:

• Delays in receiving content, images, feedback, or approvals from the Client.
• Scope changes, additional revision requests, or new feature requirements.
• Third-party service delays, including hosting setup, domain transfers, or API integrations.
• Unforeseen technical challenges or dependencies outside our control.
• Force majeure events, including natural disasters, illness, or service outages.
• Outstanding payment balances that place the project on hold.

The Company will make reasonable efforts to communicate timeline changes promptly. Missed estimated deadlines do not entitle the Client to a refund or compensation.

Section 7

Client Responsibilities

• Content Provision: The Client is solely responsible for providing all written content, images, logos, branding materials, and any other materials required for the website, in a timely manner and in acceptable format.
• Accuracy of Content: The Client warrants that all content provided is accurate, lawful, and does not infringe upon any third-party rights, including copyrights, trademarks, and privacy rights.
• Timely Communication: The Client agrees to respond to requests for approvals, feedback, or information within five (5) business days. Failure to respond may result in project delays or suspension.
• Legal Compliance: The Client is responsible for ensuring the website and its content comply with all applicable laws and regulations.
• Approvals: The Client must provide written approval before the website goes live. Once approved and launched, changes are subject to standard revision and billing terms.

Section 8

Intellectual Property

• Transfer upon Full Payment: Upon receipt of full and final payment, Tri County Web Design transfers to the Client ownership of custom design elements and code created specifically for the project, excluding any third-party components.
• No Transfer Before Payment: Until full payment is received, all work product, designs, code, and deliverables remain the exclusive intellectual property of Tri County Web Design.
• Third-Party Assets: Ownership of themes, plugins, stock images, fonts, and software is governed by their respective license agreements.
• Portfolio Rights: Tri County Web Design reserves the irrevocable right to display completed work in our portfolio, social media, and marketing materials unless the Client requests otherwise in writing prior to project completion.
• Proprietary Tools: Any templates, frameworks, or methodologies developed by Tri County Web Design prior to or during the project remain our sole property.

Section 9

Limitation of Liability

• Loss of income, revenue, profits, or business opportunities arising from website downtime or errors.
• Loss or corruption of data, including client data, customer data, or business records.
• Security breaches, hacking, malware, or unauthorized access to the Client's website or server.
• Errors or omissions in content provided by the Client.
• Actions or failures of third-party service providers, including hosting companies and plugin developers.
• Any damages exceeding the total amount paid by the Client to Tri County Web Design.

Section 10

Termination of Services

• By the Company: Tri County Web Design may terminate services if the Client fails to make required payments, engages in abusive behavior, requests illegal work, provides false information, or fails to communicate for thirty (30) or more consecutive days.
• By the Client: The Client may terminate with written notice. All payments made are non-refundable, and work completed remains property of Tri County Web Design until full payment.
• Outstanding Balances: All outstanding invoices become immediately due upon termination. No deliverables will be released until all amounts are paid.
• Data Retention: Upon termination, the Company may retain project files for up to ninety (90) days, after which files may be permanently deleted without notice.

Section 11

Maintenance and Support

Website maintenance, updates, security monitoring, technical support, and ongoing content updates are NOT included in any standard web design or development project unless explicitly stated in a separate written maintenance agreement.

• After delivery and final payment, the Client assumes full responsibility for ongoing website maintenance and security.
• Tri County Web Design is not responsible for issues arising after project handoff.
• Separate maintenance retainer agreements are available upon request.
• Emergency support requests outside a maintenance agreement may be accepted at the Company's discretion and billed at the standard hourly rate.

Section 12

Modifications to These Terms

Tri County Web Design reserves the right to update, modify, or replace these Terms and Conditions at any time without prior notice. Changes will be effective upon posting to our website or written notification. Continued engagement of our services constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.

Section 13

Governing Law

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Ohio, United States. Any disputes shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state or federal courts located in Ohio.

Section 14

Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with any project proposal, invoice, or separate written agreement, constitute the entire agreement between Tri County Web Design and the Client. No oral representations or prior agreements shall be binding unless reduced to writing and signed by both parties.