Terms of Service

Acceptance of Terms

By accessing and using the Custom Coded Websites website (customcodedwebsites.com) and services, you accept and agree to be bound by these Terms of Service. If you do not agree to these terms, please do not use our website or engage our services.

These terms apply to all visitors, users, and clients who access or use our website, contact forms, booking system, or engage our web development services.

Services Provided

Custom Coded Websites Ltd provides professional web development services, including but not limited to:

• Custom Web Applications: Bespoke Django-based web applications tailored to your business needs
• E-commerce Platforms: Custom online stores with payment integration and inventory management
• Content Management Systems: User-friendly CMS solutions for easy content updates
• Website Optimization & SEO: Technical SEO, performance optimization, and search engine visibility improvements
• Digital Marketing Services: Google Ads, Bing Ads, and social media advertising management
• Website Maintenance & Support: Ongoing monitoring, updates, security patches, and technical support

The specific scope, deliverables, timeline, and pricing for each project will be defined in a separate project proposal and/or service agreement between Custom Coded Websites Ltd and the client.

Project Proposals and Agreements

Before commencing work on any project, we will provide you with:

• A detailed project proposal outlining the scope of work, features, and deliverables
• A clear timeline with milestones (typically structured in three weekly sprints for development projects)
• Transparent pricing breakdown including any optional features
• Payment terms and schedule
• Revision and approval processes

Work will only begin once you have accepted the proposal and paid the required deposit. The project proposal, along with these Terms of Service, constitutes the complete agreement between parties.

Intellectual Property Rights

Client Ownership: Upon receipt of full payment for the project, you will own all rights to the final deliverables we create specifically for your project, including custom code, designs, and content we produce.

Exceptions to Client Ownership: The following remain the property of Custom Coded Websites Ltd or their respective owners:

• Third-Party Components: Open-source frameworks (Django, Bootstrap, etc.), libraries, plugins, and software packages subject to their own licenses
• Pre-Existing Materials: Code, tools, templates, or methodologies owned by us prior to your project
• Generic Components: Reusable modules, functions, or patterns that are not specific to your business requirements
• Development Tools: Our proprietary development processes, frameworks, and internal tools

Portfolio Rights: We retain the right to showcase your project in our portfolio, including screenshots, case studies, and links to your live website. We will display and link to your project on our website, in presentations, articles, and promotional materials. If you prefer to remain confidential, please notify us in writing, and we will respect your privacy.

Client Materials: You retain all rights to any content, logos, trademarks, images, or materials you provide to us. You grant us a license to use these materials solely for the purpose of completing your project.

Payment Terms

Deposit: A 50% deposit is required before work begins on any project. This deposit covers initial research, planning, and design phases and confirms your commitment to the project.

Payment Schedule:

• Projects under £10,000: 50% deposit, 50% upon completion before launch
• Projects £10,000 and above: 40% deposit, 30% at design/development milestone approval, 30% upon completion
• Long-term projects (3+ months): Monthly billing available based on completed work and agreed milestones

Payment Methods: We accept bank transfers, credit/debit cards, and other payment methods as agreed upon in the project proposal.

Late Payments: If payment is not received within 14 days of the invoice due date, we reserve the right to suspend work on your project until payment is received. Late payments may also result in delayed project timelines. Invoices overdue by 30+ days may incur a late fee of 5% per month.

Final Payment: The final payment is due before the website goes live. We will not deploy your website to a production server or transfer files until all invoices are paid in full.

Client Responsibilities

To ensure successful project completion, clients are responsible for:

• Content & Materials: Providing all required content, images, logos, branding materials, and other assets in a timely manner
• Feedback & Approvals: Reviewing deliverables and providing feedback within agreed timeframes (typically 5 business days)
• Access & Credentials: Providing necessary access to hosting accounts, domain registrars, third-party services, and existing systems
• Communication: Responding to our inquiries and attending scheduled meetings or check-ins
• Decision-Making: Making timely decisions on design approvals, feature selections, and project direction
• Testing: Testing the website before launch and reporting any issues or concerns

Delays caused by failure to meet these responsibilities may result in extended project timelines and potential additional costs.

Project Timeline and Delays

We provide estimated timelines based on the project scope and our current workload. While we strive to meet all deadlines, timelines are estimates and not guarantees unless explicitly stated otherwise in the project agreement.

Client-Caused Delays: If a project is delayed or put on hold by the client for more than 30 days due to:

• Failure to provide required materials or feedback
• Extended periods of non-communication
• Repeated scope changes or indecision
• Non-payment of invoices

We reserve the right to renegotiate the timeline, adjust pricing, or pause work until the issues are resolved. Projects inactive for 90+ days may be considered abandoned, with no refund of deposits or payments made.

Unavoidable Delays: We are not liable for delays caused by circumstances beyond our control, including but not limited to server downtime, third-party service failures, natural disasters, or other force majeure events.

Revisions and Change Requests

Our project proposals include a specified number of revision rounds for design and development milestones (typically 2-3 rounds of revisions per phase).

Included Revisions: Minor adjustments, refinements, and corrections within the agreed project scope

Additional Fees Apply For:

• Revisions beyond the agreed number of revision rounds
• Changes to previously approved work
• New features or functionality not in the original scope
• Significant design changes after development has begun
• Content rewrites or major content restructuring

Additional work will be quoted separately and requires your approval before proceeding. We bill additional work at our standard hourly rate or provide fixed-price quotes for larger changes.

Project Cancellation and Termination

Client Cancellation: You may cancel the project at any time by providing written notice. In the event of cancellation:

• The deposit is non-refundable
• You will be invoiced for all work completed up to the cancellation date
• You will receive files for completed work after all invoices are paid
• Incomplete work or work-in-progress files may not be provided

Our Termination Rights: We may terminate the project with 14 days' written notice if:

• You breach these Terms of Service or the project agreement
• Payment is not received within 30 days of the due date
• You fail to provide necessary materials or feedback for 60+ days
• The project requirements are illegal, unethical, or violate our values
• You engage in abusive or inappropriate behavior toward our team

In case of termination by us due to breach, deposits and payments made are non-refundable, and you will be invoiced for all work completed.

Website Hosting and Maintenance

Hosting Services: We offer optional hosting services with different tiers. If you choose our hosting:

• Hosting fees are separate from development costs and billed monthly or annually
• We handle server management, security updates, and monitoring
• SSL certificates and basic backups are included in all hosting plans

Third-Party Hosting: If you choose to host elsewhere, we can deploy your website to your hosting provider. You are responsible for:

• Providing necessary hosting access and credentials
• Ensuring your hosting environment meets technical requirements (Python 3.x, Django-compatible server)
• Hosting fees, server management, and security

Maintenance Services: After launch, we offer optional maintenance packages including updates, security monitoring, backups, and support. Maintenance terms and fees are outlined separately and do not form part of the development project cost.

Warranties and Guarantees

30-Day Warranty: All websites include a 30-day warranty period after launch, during which we will fix any bugs or issues at no additional cost, provided:

• The issue existed at the time of launch (not caused by changes you made)
• The issue is related to work we performed
• You have not modified the website code or configuration
• The hosting environment has not changed

What We Guarantee:

• Websites will function as specified in the project proposal
• Code will be written following industry best practices
• Websites will be responsive and work on modern browsers and devices
• We will implement reasonable security measures

What We Don't Guarantee:

• Specific search engine rankings or SEO results
• Specific traffic, conversion, or revenue outcomes
• Compatibility with outdated browsers (e.g., Internet Explorer)
• Uninterrupted or error-free operation after the warranty period
• Protection against all possible security threats

After the 30-day warranty period, bug fixes and updates are available through our maintenance packages or billed at our standard hourly rate.

Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law:

• Custom Coded Websites Ltd's total liability is limited to the amount you paid for the specific project or service
• We are not liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages
• We are not responsible for loss of profits, revenue, data, or business opportunities
• We are not liable for damages caused by your misuse of the website or services
• We are not responsible for third-party services, plugins, or integrations beyond our control
• We are not liable for data loss if you fail to maintain your own backups

This limitation applies whether the claim is based on contract, tort, negligence, strict liability, or any other legal theory.

Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Custom Coded Websites Ltd, its directors, employees, and contractors from any claims, damages, losses, or expenses (including legal fees) arising from:

• Your use of the website or services
• Content, materials, or information you provide to us
• Your violation of these Terms of Service
• Your violation of any third-party rights, including intellectual property or privacy rights
• Illegal, fraudulent, or unauthorized use of your website

Confidentiality

We respect the confidentiality of your business information and project details. We will not disclose confidential information to third parties except:

• With your permission
• As required by law or legal process
• To subcontractors or service providers under confidentiality agreements
• In anonymized form for case studies or portfolio purposes (unless you opt out)

This confidentiality obligation survives termination of our relationship.

Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

These Terms of Service are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales, without regard to conflict of law principles.

Dispute Resolution Process:

• Step 1 - Direct Communication: We encourage resolving any disputes through direct communication first
• Step 2 - Mediation: If direct communication fails, both parties agree to attempt mediation before pursuing litigation
• Step 3 - Legal Action: Any legal proceedings must be brought in the courts of England and Wales

You agree to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts located in England and Wales for resolution of any disputes.

Changes to These Terms

We reserve the right to modify these Terms of Service at any time. When we make significant changes:

• We will update the "Last updated" date at the top of this page
• We will notify active clients via email
• Changes will not affect projects already under contract unless mutually agreed

Your continued use of our website and services after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the updated terms. For ongoing projects, the terms in effect at the time of signing the project proposal will apply.

Contact Us

If you have any questions about these Terms of Service, please contact us: