Terms of Service

Effective Date: April 16, 2026

1. Amendments & Updates

Laura Pinell-Carlson (hereinafter referred to as “Laura_UXC”) reserves the right to modify or replace these Terms at any time. This may be necessary to reflect changes in the law (such as Tennessee tax regulations) or updates to service offerings. If a revision is material, I will provide at least 30 days’ notice via email before new terms take effect. By continuing to use the Services after those revisions become effective, the Client agrees to be bound by the revised terms.

2. Scope of Work

These terms apply to the following professional services and digital products provided to the Client:

  • Web Development: Any development of websites, digital products, or digital applications. This includes any web development and customization of a pre-designed web-builder templates.

  • Web Design: Any design of websites, digital products, digital applications, or other digital user interfaces.

  • Domain Registration & Connection: Technical assistance with URL securing and linking.

  • Domain Management: Technical assistance managing a custom URL including but not limited to renewal, migration, and recovery.

  • Hosting Registration: Technical assistance with web hosting setup and linking.

  • Hosting Management: Technical assistance with Client-owned hosting setup, linking and maintenance.

  • Managed Hosting: Hosting provided and maintained by Laura _UXC’s shared server environment (DreamHost)

  • Creative Development: Creative consulting and content creation.

  • Consulting and Strategy: Professional advice, research, user experience (UX) auditing, branding strategy, and digital roadmap planning. This service is purely advisory and does not include the delivery of functional software or code unless itemized under Web Development.

  • Education and Training: Professional education and training sessions.

  • Maintenance Services: Technical and creative assistance provided on a weekly, monthly, or yearly basis. Maintenance is categorized into two types:

    • Software Maintenance: Technical updates to website cores (e.g., WordPress), plugins, themes, or security patches to ensure software functionality.

    • Content Maintenance: Non-technical updates including, but not limited to, blog posts, image swaps, and text changes.

3. Payment, Taxes & Discounts

  • Taxes: Per Tennessee state law, sales tax (e.g., 9.5% for Washington County) applies to any Web Development projects resulting in a digital product. Professional services (Training, Education, Consulting and Creative Development) are itemized separately to maintain their tax-exempt status.

  • Discounts: Any promotional discounts (such as free Training or Creative Development) are one-time offers and do not apply to future sessions or revisions.

  • Payment: All estimates are valid for 30 days. Work begins once the initial deposit or payment terms defined in the estimate are met.

  • Maintenance Fees: Maintenance services are billed at an hourly rate based on task complexity, starting at $35/hour.

  • Taxability of Maintenance: In accordance with Tennessee law:

    • Software Maintenance that includes technical updates, fixes, or security patches is subject to sales tax (9.5% for Washington County).

    • Content Maintenance and General Support (e.g., telephone/email Q&A) are exempt from sales tax when itemized separately from software maintenance.

4. Ownership & Intellectual Property

  • Client Content: The Client retains all rights to any artwork, images, or copy provided for the portfolio.

  • Deliverables: Upon final payment, the Client is granted a license to use the live, functional website.

  • Source Files: Laura_UXC retains ownership of all “working” or “source” files (e.g., Figma, Photoshop layers). The Client owns the final output but not the underlying editable design files unless otherwise agreed in writing.

  • Right to Self-Promote: Laura_UXC retains the right to display the completed project and the Client’s name in her professional portfolio and social media for promotional purposes, unless otherwise requested in writing.

5. Third-Party Hosting & Platforms

  • Platform Terms: For services built on third-party platforms (e.g., Google Sites, Squarespace, Wix, Webflow), the Client must comply with those platforms’ specific Terms of Service.

  • Hosting Options:

    • Managed Shared Hosting: If hosting is provided via Laura_UXC’s shared server environment (DreamHost), it is a yearly subscription billed in full at the start of the term. Subscriptions renew automatically. To cancel, the Client must provide written notice at least 30 days prior to the renewal date. No pro-rated refunds are issued for mid-term cancellations.

    • Independent Hosting: Clients may opt for non-shared, independent hosting. Laura_UXC will facilitate this setup for an additional administrative cost. The Client is responsible for direct billing with the provider.

  • Domains: Standard domains are registered through DreamHost. Requests for an alternate domain registrar, “Premium” domains or specific extensions may incur additional costs outside of Laura_UXC’s control. The Client is responsible for recurring renewal fees.

  • Liability: Laura_UXC is not liable for site downtime, data loss, or server errors caused by third-party providers.

6. Final Approval & Termination

  • Review Period: Upon delivery of the “final” version, the Client has five (5) business days to request minor adjustments. If no feedback is received, the Portfolio is deemed “Approved.”

  • Finality: Final payment constitutes formal acceptance. Any updates requested after final payment will be treated as a new project and billed at current hourly rates.

  • Termination: Either party may terminate the project with written notice. In the event of termination, the Client shall pay Laura_UXC for all work completed up to the date of termination.

7. Limitation of Liability

Laura_UXC provides services “as-is.” I am not liable for any downtime, loss of data on third-party servers, or any indirect damages resulting from the use of the portfolio. Total liability is limited to the amount paid for the services rendered.

8. Governing Law

This agreement is governed by the laws of the State of Tennessee. Any disputes shall be resolved in the courts of Washington County, TN.