ALS Designs : Specialists in graphic and web design for individuals and businesses of any size : Portsmouth, Hampshire, UK.

All work is undertaken by ALS Designs (hereafter ‘ALS’) according to the following terms and conditions.

Estimating/Quotations
Design is very flexible - any specific project is subject to a vast number of variables, and can generally be tailored to the client’s budget. We are able to advise how to get the best compromise between cost and desired end-product, if we are given clear information by the client. We then provide a clear and detailed cost for the job, listing the brief, our understanding of what is required and work we believe needs undertaking to complete the project. Clients need to be aware that ‘moving the goalposts’ of the project may result in increased charges, over and above those quoted. This is particularly true of website design.
We generally try to be flexible and accommodating with regard to client’s work and their changing needs, but we do request that thought and consideration is given before work is requested as this makes it far more economical from your point of view.

If you are unable to be specific enough about a project for us to be able to quote you, we are happy to undertake work on an hourly basis - our rates are very reasonable, we work as quickly and efficiently as possible, and you will be charged only for hours spent on your project. Hourly rates are worked out to the nearest ten minutes.

Fees and Charging:
Clients should be aware that in asking us to undertake work, whether quoted, estimated, or of an experimental nature, a charge is generated and fees will be invoiced, generally at our standard rate. Fees for speculative work can be discussed and agreed in advance - we are always willing to assist existing and potential clients with new projects but have to do so on the understanding that we have bills to pay too.

It is the nature of the business of ALS that we essentially sell our time to our clients. We request that clients remember that if they take up our time in any way, you are using our most valuable commodity.

Our current standard rates are listed below. Variations on this rate are only given by express agreement with individual clients, and are generally granted against, for example, volume work, long term contracts etc. In the case of new clients and in particular, website work, we reserve the right to request a deposit.
Invoicing will generally be either at the end of the month, in the case of on-going work, or upon delivery of the job for individual projects. Terms are strictly 28 days from date of invoice, where a credit account has been agreed. Otherwise payment will be due immediately, less any deposits paid.

Where projects are extended, delayed or cancelled by clients, we reserve the right to submit an invoice for the proportion of the work completed. In the case of cancellation, invoices are issued immediately. In the case of delays this will normally come into force at the end of the month following cessation of work on the project. Where projects are delayed for any more than two months, a further quotation should be obtained from ALS (if relevant).

Again, we request that clients remember that as small businesses we do not have big cash reserves to draw upon if payment is late - we rely on reasonably smooth cash flow and ask that you respect this and ensure that we are paid on time.

Fees
Our standard rates are as follows (unless otherwise agreed between you (the 'client') and ALS Designs):
Creative design work - £35 per hour
Artwork, typesetting, picture manipulation etc - £30 per hour
Keying text, proofreading (as a separate charge) etc - £25 per hour
Our minimum charge for any work requested, including sourcing files from archive, is £25.

Copyright and Title
Copyright in any logo or other work designed by ALS remains with ALS until paid for in full. Once the client has settled their account the copyright in any logo or other design work passes to the client (assuming it is the client’s to hold). Until such time as your account is settled, you may not pass the logo on to any other supplier (advertiser, signwriter, website designer etc) to use without our express agreement.

Use of copyrighted images
If we are supplied with images, photographs, graphics, wording or logos etc to use by any client, we assume that the client has obtained any necessary clearance from any copyright holders of such supplied items. If you have not done so, we strongly advise that you seek to obtain permission to use the item before instructing us. We require clients to indemnify us against any claims for breach of copyright in the case that material is not so cleared.

Property of Clients and Confidentiality
Any property, physical or intellectual, given into our care by a client, remains the property of that client. Whether that property remains in our office or is passed on to another supplier, we will never knowingly show or pass said property to a third party.

In the event that a client wishes to have any property passed onto a third party, we require a written confirmation of that instruction.

We operate on the basis that client’s work is private whilst we are working on it. If you require us to keep your work entirely confidential, you should inform us of this at the beginning of a project. Any third party (printer, signwriter etc) that you wish to have us pass work on to will be assumed to have been cleared by yourselves to handle the work, and we will require a written/email confirmation of the instruction to pass on the work.

We assume that it will be acceptable to use any finished printed or other items in our portfolio. If this is not the case, please inform us immediately.

Proofing
Ultimate responsibility for proofing artwork rests with the client. We will provide you with a proof form when we send work back to you for proofing, and you should make every effort to check your work through thoroughly - especially phone numbers, addresses etc. Verbal instructions to print will not be acceptable - we will require a signed proof form or a clear written confirmation that the artwork has been checked and is cleared to go to print.

PLEASE NEVER ASSUME THAT YOUR ARTWORK WILL BE CORRECT - EVEN IF YOU HAVE SUPPLIED TEXT TO US.

For full colour print, it is our STRONG RECOMMENDATION that you obtain a colour proof from the printer before authorising print. Whilst print and reprographic technology is pretty wonderful, it is not infallible - technical hiccups can occur very easily and a colour proof will ensure that such errors are picked up before print. Liability for technical oversights by ALS will be limited, in any case, to the cost of a new proof. In the case of jobs progressing to print without a pre-press proof being approved, we will not be liable for any print costs. We urge clients to understand the importance of the proofing process and to allow time for such proofs to be made, scrutinised and approved. It is so much less time-consuming, costly and heartbreaking than a reprint.

Internet and Website work
Clients asking for website work will be given a copy of our ‘Website Customer Handbook’ which will outline the services we offer with regard to website design and construction. ALS designs are happy to offer Website design, and have a unique mix of technical knowledge and design skill which makes for sites that are both attractive and functional.

We are not, however, website technical experts. We work with experts to complete sites with more complex requirements and are happy to liaise with such specialists and obtain quotes for their proportion of work completed on your site, depending on your requirements.

Once your site has been completed we will provide you with contact details for your hosting service and any technical support numbers you may need. Design and layout alterations, additions and updates to your site will be undertaken on an hourly basis. We do not provide technical support in the case of site failure once it is handed over to your host.

Traffic to your site will only be generated by careful forethought on your part, and by marketing, linking, and a general understanding of how the web works. More guidance on this subject is given in our handbook. ALS are not responsible for attracting traffic to your site, and accept no liability whatsoever with regard to the business or otherwise arising from your site once completed.

CONTRIBUTE - sites with areas that can be edited by the client are available using software called Contribute. Contribute ready sites will be constructed in accordance with your instructions, and training (1 day) in the use of the software, which the client must purchase separately, will be given. Comprehensive notes will form part of that training, and it will be made clear what can and cannot be done by the software, and how crucial it is to follow the protocols and rules that keep the site working. Where refresher training, or remedial work due to disregard of these protocols is required, it will be charged at an hourly rate.

We emphasise that we are design specialists with enough technical knowledge to allow us to work efficiently and co-operatively with technical web builders. We do not offer technical support on any aspect of internet service and request that clients having problems with software, internet access, emails etc refer to the appropriate support agency.