01PROJECT SCOPE
Each project is individually scoped. Before work begins, the agreed proposal, quotation or written confirmation will identify the principal deliverables, price, payment stages and any material assumptions or target timings. Requests outside that scope may require a revised quotation, additional fee or revised delivery date. Where project-specific written terms conflict with these general terms, the project-specific terms take precedence to the extent of that conflict.
02DEPOSIT & COMMENCEMENT
The Forge may require an initial deposit before reserving production time or commencing work. The deposit forms part of the total project price, not an additional charge. Work begins only after any required deposit and agreed information or access have been received. Any amount retained following cancellation will be limited to what The Forge is lawfully entitled to retain, taking account of work performed, costs reasonably incurred and applicable law.
03REVIEW, APPROVAL & FINAL PAYMENT
When the agreed scope is ready for review, the client will have a reasonable opportunity to assess it and raise issues that relate to the agreed scope. The Forge will address valid in-scope issues before requesting final approval. Unless otherwise agreed in writing, the remaining balance becomes payable after approval and before final launch, handover, transfer of production files or transfer of control. Additional concepts, features or revisions outside scope may be quoted separately.
04COMPLETED WORK & REFUNDS
Fees properly due for work that has been completed, approved and finally supplied are not refundable merely because the client later changes their mind. This does not exclude or restrict any right or remedy that cannot lawfully be excluded, including applicable rights where services have not been supplied with reasonable care and skill or do not conform to the contract.
05CANCELLATION
A client may request cancellation in writing. Where cancellation occurs after work has begun, The Forge may charge for work actually performed and for reasonable, demonstrable losses or costs arising directly from the cancellation, subject to applicable law and a duty to mitigate loss where required. The Forge will not rely on a blanket forfeiture of all advance payments regardless of the circumstances. Any refund due will be calculated after deducting sums lawfully due for work or loss already incurred.
06CONSUMER CANCELLATION RIGHTS
If a client contracts as a consumer rather than for business purposes, statutory cancellation rights may apply to contracts made at a distance or away from business premises. Where a consumer asks The Forge to begin services during an applicable cancellation period, The Forge will obtain any consent or request required by law and explain the consequences before work starts. Nothing in these terms removes statutory cancellation or refund rights.
07CLIENT RESPONSIBILITIES
The client is responsible for supplying accurate instructions, content, assets, approvals, credentials and access reasonably required for the project, and for confirming that they have the necessary rights and permissions to provide those materials. Client delay may reasonably affect delivery dates. The Forge will not publish unlawful material knowingly supplied for a project.
08THIRD-PARTY SERVICES
Domains, hosting providers, ecommerce subscriptions, payment processors, applications, licences, stock assets and other third-party services are excluded unless expressly included in the agreed scope. Third-party services remain subject to their providers’ own terms, availability and charges. The Forge is not responsible for a third party’s independent service failure, but will remain responsible for its own obligations and for exercising reasonable care and skill in any integration work it undertakes.
09HOSTING & ONGOING SERVICES
Where The Forge provides managed hosting, maintenance, Forge Care or another continuing service, the inclusions, price, billing basis and termination arrangements will be stated separately. Unless expressly included, ongoing service fees do not include new design, content changes, new features or substantial redevelopment.
10INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
Ownership and licence rights for final deliverables will be stated in the project agreement. Unless otherwise agreed, transfer of any rights intended to pass to the client is conditional on payment of all sums due for the relevant work. Pre-existing tools, methods, reusable code, know-how and third-party materials remain subject to their existing ownership or licence terms. Nothing here transfers rights that The Forge does not own.
11PORTFOLIO & PARTNERSHIPS
The Forge will not assume special promotional or partnership rights merely because it has completed a project. Permission to use a client’s name, logo, website, imagery, screenshots, video, case-study material or other brand assets for promotion will be obtained or recorded as part of the relevant project or partnership agreement. Any exclusive promotional rights, preferential rates or partnership benefits must be expressly agreed in writing.
12DELIVERY & TIMING
The Forge will perform services within agreed timescales or, where no binding date has been agreed, within a reasonable time. Estimates may depend on timely client feedback, third-party availability and the agreed scope. If circumstances materially affect an estimate, The Forge will communicate this rather than silently treating an estimate as guaranteed.
13STANDARD OF SERVICE
The Forge will perform its services with reasonable care and skill. Any description or statement about the service that forms part of the contract will be honoured subject to the agreed scope. Nothing in these terms excludes liability or remedies where doing so would be unlawful.
14LAUNCH PACKAGES
Launch packages are individually scoped and subject to availability, project requirements and agreed timings. Advertising a launch package does not guarantee acceptance of a project, a particular delivery date or a fixed price unless expressly stated. Any package price, inclusions, exclusions and payment stages will be confirmed before the client commits.
15COMMUNICATION & COMPLAINTS
Project notices, approvals and cancellation requests should be sent through the contact method agreed for the project so there is a clear written record. If a client believes the service does not match the agreed scope, they should contact The Forge promptly with details so the issue can be reviewed and, where appropriate, put right.
16GENERAL
These terms are intended to be read fairly and transparently. If any provision is unenforceable, the remaining provisions continue so far as the law allows. Nothing in these terms limits statutory rights or any liability that cannot legally be limited. The governing law and courts applicable to a particular contract will be identified where appropriate in the project agreement, taking account of any mandatory consumer protections.
