The following Terms & Conditions set out what is involved in the process of working together.

1. Overview

1.1. These terms & conditions apply to any work done for the Client (you) by H Noss Proofreads (HNP).
1.2. H Noss Proofreads provides proofreading services agreed upon in writing (via email) by HNP and the Client.
1.3. The Client is under no obligation to offer work; neither is HNP under any obligation to accept work offered by the Client.
1.4. The work will be carried out unsupervised at such times and places determined by HNP, using HNP equipment.
1.5. All work is carried out by HNP. Work will not be subcontracted.
1.6. HNP is not VAT-registered.
1.7. All proofreading is done in UK English only, unless otherwise agreed.
1.8. The contract of service requires the Client acknowledges that they have read, understood, and agreed to these terms and conditions.
1.9. HNP prefers to receive all communication and instructions via email only.

2. Project Terms

2.1. Before work commences, the Client and HNP will agree in writing (via email) the terms of the project:
2.1.1. The medium in which the proofreading service will be carried out (e.g. PDF commenting tools, Word Track Changes)
2.1.2. The length of time required to complete the project, as advised
2.1.3. The fee for the project, based on a quotation supplied (see 3. Pricing)
2.1.4. The payment method (e.g. bank transfer, payment link)
2.1.5. The date by which the material will be delivered by the Client to HNP
2.1.6. The latest date by which the completed project will be returned to the Client.
2.2. The completed work will be delivered on or before the date agreed, for the agreed fee, which will be based on the description of the work required and the brief, both supplied by the Client.
2.3. If, however, on receipt of the item to be worked on or at an early stage, it becomes apparent that the scope of the work is greater than agreed in the preliminary discussion/brief, HNP reserves the right to renegotiate the fee and/or the deadline or decline the work.
2.4. Similarly, if additional tasks are requested by the Client, HNP reserves the right to renegotiate the fee and/or the deadline. HNP also reserves the right to decline the additional work.
2.5. HNP does not guarantee 100% error-free work but endeavours to provide a complete and accurate service. It is the Client’s responsibility to review the completed work.
2.6. Should ongoing work be suspended or delayed through any fault of the Client, HNP shall be entitled to immediate payment for work already carried out.

3. Pricing

3.1. A quotation for the work will be provided to the Client based on the brief provided by the Client and, where applicable, a representative sample of the materials to be worked on.
3.2. The Client may pay a fee per 1,000 words OR per hour OR an agreed flat fee for the project, as agreed in writing.
3.2.1. If the work is based on an hourly rate, then a minimum invoice amount is for one hour and the hourly rate is then billed in increments of 15 minutes, with time rounded up to the nearest 15 minutes.
3.2.2. HNP reserves the right to increase prices and give 30 days’ notice before the price increase is to become effective.
3.3. Once the Client and HNP have agreed the full fee, the fee is non-negotiable unless the Client with the agreement of HNP extends the word count of the job or requests additional services, when a revised quotation and deadline will be negotiated.
3.4. Unless otherwise agreed, the Client will be supplied with an invoice immediately upon completion of the proofreading service which will be due within 14 days.
3.5. If the work is lengthy or ongoing, HNP may invoice periodically for completed stages or per month, as agreed in advance.
3.6. Unless agreed otherwise at the outset, payment will be made within 14 days of receipt of the invoice, according to the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998 (amended 2002 and 2013).
3.6.1. An interest rate of 5% will be applied for each month that payment is not received.
3.7. Deposits are applicable for certain services. For such services:
3.7.1. The deposit is non-refundable.
3.7.2. The deposit will be clearly defined in quotations.
3.7.3. The deposit will represent 25% or 50% of the total cost of the project.
3.7.3.1. The percentage of the deposit is subject to HNP’s discretion and will be clearly communicated as part of the quotation. Repeat clients may be asked for a smaller deposit (e.g. 25% instead of 50%).
3.7.4. The deposit will be deducted from the final invoice issued when the proofreading is complete.
3.7.5. The deposit must be paid before work begins. Once the deposit has been paid, work will commence.
3.8. The final invoice shall include billable time, reimbursable expenses, and any other fees related to the work.
3.9. Once an invoice becomes overdue, no further work will be undertaken until all outstanding payments (including late fees and any other agreed expenses) are paid.

4. Cancellations

4.1. Both the Client and HNP have the right to terminate a contract for services at any time if there is a breach of its terms.
4.1.1. Both the Client and HNP reserve the right to terminate a contract for work containing plagiarised content.
4.2. The Client is free to cancel a service for any reason by providing notice (via email). Once this cancellation is acknowledged the contract termination is valid. The full amount of any deposit will be retained.
4.2.1. HNP reserves the right to bill for work completed.
4.3. HNP is free to cancel a service for any reason by providing notice (via email). In the event that a service is cancelled, the Client will not be charged any further fees and will receive the work as completed thus far. If no work has been done, the full amount of any deposit will be returned.
4.4. If extraordinary or difficult circumstances that cause cancellation (e.g. family crisis, illness, bereavement) affect either the Client or HNP, the other party should be contacted at the earliest opportunity to discuss the terms of the cancellation.

5. Confidentiality

5.1. All content delivered to HNP by the Client for the proofreading service is owned by the Client.
5.2. The Client agrees that all claims, liabilities, and expenses arising out of any potential or actual copyright or trademark misappropriation of infringement claimed against them are theirs alone. HNP has no responsibility for any claims arising in such circumstances. Similarly, any claims, liabilities, and expenses arising from factual inaccuracy or defamatory content claimed against them are the Clients’ responsibility.
5.3. Any content created by HNP as part of the proofreading process will become the copyright of the Client, unless otherwise agreed.
5.4. The nature and content of the work will be kept confidential and not made known to anyone other than the Client and its contractors without prior written permission.
5.5. The materials provided by the Client will not be shared, uploaded, or distributed to any third parties unless specifically authorised in writing by the Client to do so.
5.5.1. Distribution rights of materials provided by the Client remain with the Client.
5.6. All emails are sent and received with end-to-end encryption. Any contact information is given zero-access encryption.
5.6.1. Emails will be stored within a password-protected, encrypted email service for a maximum of six years before being erased.
5.7. More information on how data is protected can be found in the Privacy Policy.

6. Acknowledgements and Promotions

6.1. There is no requirement for the Client to mention HNP in any acknowledgements section. The Client agrees that HNP will have the opportunity to decline to be mentioned and review any such mention prior to publication.
6.2. With written agreement from the Client, HNP may use the Client’s name in promotional materials (including website).
6.3. With written agreement from the Client, HNP may use the Client’s testimonial or review as received (via email or review site) in promotional materials (including website).
6.4. With written agreement from the Client, HNP may use the Client’s name and a representation of the work done (e.g. a business logo depicting the company, the final book title and provided author name, the book cover and public information of the book) in promotional materials (including website).

Legal Jurisdiction

7.1. This agreement is subject to the laws of England and Wales, and both the Client and HNP agree to submit to the jurisdiction of the English and Welsh courts.