Terms and Conditions

1. Company Information

2. Definitions

• "We", "Us", "Our": Mapletree Studio and Jacob Haynes
• "You", "Your", "Client": The person or organisation engaging our services
• "Services": Web design, development, content writing, SEO, PPC management, and related digital services
• "Website": The Mapletree Studio website at mapletree.studio
• "Project": Any specific piece of work agreed between us and the client
• "Deliverables": The final outputs of a project (websites, content, reports, etc.)

3. Acceptance of Terms

By using our website or engaging our services, you confirm that:

• You have read, understood, and agree to these terms
• You have the authority to enter into this agreement
• You are at least 18 years old
• All information you provide is accurate and complete

4. Services Overview

Mapletree Studio provides the following services:

4.1 Web Design and Development

• Landing page builds ("The Evergreen Package")
• Full website design and development
• Custom software development
• Website maintenance and updates

4.2 Digital Marketing Services

• SEO strategy and implementation
• Content writing and blog management
• PPC advertising management (via partner agency)

4.3 Technical Approach

Our websites are built using modern, performance-focused technologies including Astro, Tailwind CSS, and minimal JavaScript. We prioritise speed, SEO optimisation, and user experience over complex features or unnecessary functionality.

5. Project Process

5.1 Initial Consultation

All projects begin with a consultation to understand your requirements, timeline, and budget. This may be conducted via email, phone, or video call.

5.2 Proposal and Agreement

Following consultation, we will provide a written proposal outlining:

• Project scope and deliverables
• Timeline and key milestones
• Total cost and payment schedule
• Any specific terms relevant to your project

5.3 Project Execution

Once you accept our proposal:

• A deposit payment (typically 50%) is required to commence work
• We will provide regular updates on progress
• You will have opportunities to review and request revisions
• Final payment is due upon project completion

6. Client Responsibilities

To ensure successful project delivery, you agree to:

• Provide accurate and complete project briefs
• Supply all necessary content, images, and materials promptly
• Provide feedback and approvals within agreed timeframes
• Make payments according to the agreed schedule
• Ensure you have rights to use any materials you provide
• Test websites thoroughly before final approval
• Provide hosting account access when required

7. Payment Terms

7.1 Pricing and Quotes

• All prices are quoted in British Pounds (GBP) and include VAT where applicable
• Quotes are valid for 30 days unless otherwise stated
• Additional work outside the agreed scope will be charged separately

7.2 Payment Schedule

• Deposit: 50% of total project cost before work commences
• Balance: Due upon project completion and before final delivery
• Monthly retainers: Paid in advance at the start of each month
• Hourly work: Invoiced monthly with 14-day payment terms

7.3 Late Payments

• Invoices are due within 14 days of issue
• Late payments may incur interest charges of 2% per month
• Persistent late payments may result in project suspension
• We reserve the right to withhold deliverables until payment is received

8. Revisions and Changes

8.1 Included Revisions

Each project includes a specified number of revision rounds. These typically cover:

• Minor content changes and corrections
• Colour and styling adjustments
• Layout refinements within the agreed design concept

8.2 Additional Revisions

Changes beyond the included revisions will be charged at our standard hourly rate. This includes:

• Major design changes or concept revisions
• Additional pages or functionality
• Changes to project scope or requirements
• Revisions requested after final approval

9. Intellectual Property

9.1 Client Content

You retain ownership of all content you provide, including text, images, logos, and branding materials. You warrant that you have the right to use all provided materials.

9.2 Website Design and Code

Upon full payment:

• You receive full ownership of the completed website design and custom code
• We retain the right to showcase the work in our portfolio
• Third-party components (frameworks, libraries) remain under their respective licences

9.3 Pre-existing Materials

We may use techniques, methodologies, and general knowledge gained from previous projects. However, client-specific information and custom solutions remain confidential.

10. Hosting and Maintenance

10.1 Hosting Arrangements

• We can arrange hosting through our recommended providers
• Hosting costs are separate from design and development fees
• You are responsible for ongoing hosting and domain renewal costs
• We can manage hosting on your behalf for an additional fee

10.2 Website Maintenance

• Basic maintenance support is included for 30 days after launch
• Ongoing maintenance packages are available separately
• Emergency support may be charged at premium rates
• Major updates or feature additions are quoted separately

11. Warranties and Disclaimers

11.1 Our Warranties

We warrant that:

• Work will be performed with reasonable skill and care
• Websites will function as specified at the time of delivery
• Code will be free from significant bugs and errors
• We have the right to provide the agreed services

11.2 Disclaimers

We do not warrant:

• Specific search engine rankings or traffic levels
• Compatibility with future browser updates or technology changes
• Uninterrupted operation of third-party services
• Protection against all possible security vulnerabilities
• Specific business results or return on investment

12. Limitation of Liability

Our liability is limited as follows:

• Total liability shall not exceed the total amount paid for the specific project
• We are not liable for indirect, consequential, or special damages
• We are not liable for losses due to third-party actions or services
• Claims must be made within 12 months of project completion
• We are not liable for losses due to client's failure to backup data

13. Termination

13.1 Termination by Client

You may terminate a project with 7 days written notice. In such cases:

• You remain liable for all work completed to date
• No refund of deposit or completed work
• Outstanding invoices become immediately due
• We will provide work completed up to termination date

13.2 Termination by Us

We may terminate if:

• Payments are persistently late (30+ days overdue)
• You breach these terms materially
• The project becomes commercially unviable
• We are unable to contact you for 14+ days

14. Force Majeure

We are not liable for delays or failures caused by circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including natural disasters, government actions, internet outages, or other unforeseeable events.

15. Privacy and Data Protection

Your privacy is important to us. Please review our Privacy Policy for information about how we collect, use, and protect your personal information.

During projects, we may have access to your business data. We commit to:

• Keeping all client information confidential
• Using data only for the purposes of delivering our services
• Implementing appropriate security measures
• Complying with UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018

16. Governing Law

These terms are governed by English law. Any disputes will be subject to the jurisdiction of the English courts. We will attempt to resolve disputes through negotiation before formal proceedings.

17. Changes to These Terms

We may update these terms from time to time. Changes will be:

• Posted on our website with an updated "Last updated" date
• Communicated to existing clients via email for material changes
• Effective immediately for new projects
• Applied to existing projects only with mutual agreement

18. Contact Information

If you have questions about these terms, please contact us: