FAQS & Policies

Why do you use project management software?

It’s much faster and much more organized. Having one dedicated place where you can see progress, give feedback, and ask questions makes things a lot smoother. It also makes it easier to keep track of edits and have them all in one place to refer to.

What happens if we go over the project deadline?

It depends! Life happens, and sometimes things have to get pushed around. If our delay is my fault, there are absolutely no penalties, and I will work with you to make sure we still finish as timely as possible.

If the delay is the fault of the client and is not caused by an unforeseen emergency (illness, accident, etc.), there will be a fee of 50% of the original project cost that will need to be paid in full before the final files are delivered.

Going past the deadline not only goes above and beyond our original work terms, but it also means delaying or sometimes having to cancel other projects or personal commitments.

What is your hourly rate?

Though most of my projects have a fixed rate, sometimes I’m required to do one-off projects or put in work beyond the original project. For these times, my hourly rate is $65.

Why is payment due in full for some projects?

In my experience, the smaller the project, the more trouble I’ve had getting proper payment on time. It costs me more in time and money (and costs the client more in late fees and penalties) to chase down smaller payments, so for projects that will be $300 or less payment is required in full before work on the projects will begin. If it is a time-sensitive project, rush fees will still apply.

What payment methods do you accept?

I accept PayPal, Venmo, CashApp, Zelle, and credit card payments via Apple Pay.

Why do some of your services have variable rates?

Every project has different needs, and there is no one size fits all solution. To make sure that you don't get charged for things you don't want or need, some services require a different approach tailored to exactly what you need. This helps you stay at or under budget.

Why don't you have all of your work on your website?

Great question! Part of the nature of my work involves working with sensitive information - including finished products. Some projects are confidential, and I'm not always able to share the finished products even when I have created them. While I would love to show off everything that I have a hand in creating, I'm not able to do so. And honestly, I don't want to. Some work may not be very engaging, or up to my desired standards. I only show work that I'm proud of and that I'm allowed to show. Believe me, I've made some pretty awesome things though!

Why do you charge a late fee, and why is it so high?

Project quotes include planning and production time as well as time for proofing and fixing mistakes. When a project is given on short notice, this requires more scrambling on my part. I have to push other projects and focus 100% of my time on the rush project. This means your project is a priority, and I am basically on-call until your project is complete. Because of this, I charge a rush fee to fairly compensate me for the intensive time and energy required to rush your project.

What's the process for getting a design quote?

Unless there are unique circumstances, the standard format is initial communication where we discuss your project and go over all of the details that I need to get started. After that, I'm usually able to give a rough estimate of the time that I will need to get through your design, and what it will cost.

Included in your price quote are up to 4 proofs, design time, and research time. 

What happens if you take longer than your original quoted time?

Because of my experience, I am aware of how long it takes me to perform certain tasks. Sometimes things come up on that may affect the time, but I make it very clear that it is a rough estimate. Once a time has been quoted, if we're getting close to that limit, I will let you know, and we can adjust from there.

I also do my best to provide milestones so that we can stick as close to that time as possible. I will not go over the time without letting you know, so you don't have to worry about any surprises on your bill. Common causes of going over the project time and budget can include: unforeseen emergencies, poor or delayed communication, and last-minute changes.

What if I need more changes after our agreed-upon time?

Most small edits can be fixed with no problem, and you will be required to sign off on the final project. Any changes after our agreed-upon time will be billed at the normal hourly rate, and payment will be required before the changes are completed. 

Do I have to pay you before I get my files?

Yes. Unless alternative arrangements have been made, I require a portion of the fee upfront before I even begin your project. This is to protect us both: partial payment is my commitment to you that I will begin work right away on your project, and also that you are committed to the terms and process of the project. Although the average person is honest, without a milestone payment if I start working on your project and get it to complete or nearly complete and you decide that you would rather go elsewhere, or that you don't need the project after all, I've wasted time, money and resources. 

Full and final payment is due at the time of your sign-off on the project. When you sign off on the project, you're confirming that the design is what you're happy with, and what was agreed upon with no more needed Changes. At this point, before the final files are turned over, the remaining payment is required and our contract is complete. So to repeat: Your completed design files are not given to you until A. you've signed off on the form acknowledging that you are happy with the project, and B. Your account is paid and settled in full. Additional payment may be required in special circumstances (such as the purchase of rights, licensing, etc).

Does it cost extra for printed proofs?

Included in your quote are several proofs. Any printed proofs beyond the agreed-upon amount will be billed at $1.75 per proof (specialty proofs may cost extra). This covers the cost of paper and ink. Digital proofs usually don't have an extra charge.

Does it cost for meetings?

Most proofing and feedback are usually handled within our project management software. Sometimes all you have is a quick question, and that doesn't count against your quoted time or result in any extra charges.

Video meetings are billed at a discounted rate of $30 per half-hour. These are billed because responding to questions and comments via Nifty allows me to do other things and still work on your project. It also keeps everything organized and in one place (vs trying to hunt things down in my inbox).

What options are there for meeting?

I try to be very flexible in offering options for meetings and consultations. I offer meetings via Zoom, Skype, Microsoft Teams, or Google Hangouts.  While the benefit of meeting face-to-face is valuable, it's generally faster and more cost-efficient to work via email or our PM software.

Do I own the copyright to work that you make?

I retain all copyrights to all work that I produce. Even if you have input on the initial concept, the finished product is my intellectual property. What you receive are usage rights for the specified format (print, digital, etc.). I reserve the right to revoke usage rights at any time if actions are taken that may harm my business or reputation.

What if I want to buy the copyright for the work?

If you would like to own the copyright for a piece of work, you are welcome to purchase it from me at an agreed-upon rate. If your intent is to purchase the rights, you should do your best to inform me before work begins, and upon receipt of payment, we will both sign an agreement acknowledging that you are the new owner of all intellectual rights to the property. In most cases, I still retain the right to use the work in my own marketing and advertising material, but if you would like to prevent that, please be aware that this will increase the purchase price.

Do my monthly hours roll over (retainer clients)?

Hours do not roll over for your plan. The plans are "use it or lose it", so if you don't use your hours during the month that you have them, you, unfortunately, lose them.

phone calls

Phone calls or texts after 9 pm (MST, my local time) will be subject to an after-hours fee of $50. During the day I will do my best to be available to you for questions or help - however, this does not mean that I am on-call or able to drop everything and speak. If you’d like personalized and priority attention, please consider retainer services.