Terms

General

  • These terms and conditions apply to any work done for the Client by Claire the Proofreader, unless otherwise agreed.
  • The Client is under no obligation to offer Claire the Proofreader work; nor is Claire the Proofreader under any obligation to accept work offered by the Client.
  • Claire the Proofreader will provide service(s) as mutually agreed and confirmed in writing by the Client.
  • The work will be carried out unsupervised at such times and places as determined by Claire the Proofreader, using own equipment.

Quotes

  • Samples of work will be requested prior quoting, to ensure the service quoted for is what the Client requires.
  • The quote may be a fee per hour OR per printed page OR per thousand words OR an agreed flat fee for the project, and will be based on required Client level of turnaround time (e.g. standard, 48 hours, 24 hours).
  • Only written quotes are binding (ie. email or post). Verbal quotes are not binding.
  • If the scope or length of the project changes significantly from when the initial quote is given, the quote may be altered by agreement. If not otherwise discussed, the original fee still applies.
  • Quotes are valid for 30 days from date of issue.
  • Quotes are given on the basis that the entire document is sent at once, unless otherwise agreed.
  • All quotes are based on Claire the Proofreader providing one round of proofreading amends, unless otherwise agreed.

Timescales

  • Clients will receive an indication of estimated timescale along with the quote, unless otherwise agreed, and this will be linked to the turnaround time level required by the Client (e.g. standard, 48 hours, 24 hours).
  • The meeting of this timescale is dependent on the work being sent to Claire the Proofreader at the agreed date and time. If the document is sent later than planned by the Client, a revised timescale may be given.
  • The document return date and time will be confirmed to the Client once the document is received by Claire the Proofreader, unless otherwise agreed, and will be quoted in local UK time (GMT).
  • Receipt of documents from Client to Claire the Proofreader is deemed to have occurred upon email, phone or text message confirmation by Claire the Proofreader. In the interests of urgency, it is always best to advise Claire the Proofreader that a document has been emailed with a follow-up phone call or text message.
  • Every effort will be made to meet deadlines. If external circumstances beyond the control of Claire the Proofreader are likely to cause possible delays, the Client will be notified at the earliest opportunity.
  • Delivery of documents from Claire the Proofreader to Client is deemed to have occurred at the time the email programme confirms that an email has been sent. It is the Client's responsibility to confirm receipt of the proofed document as soon as it is acknowledged in their inbox. For urgent jobs, Claire the Proofreader will follow-up receipt with a phone call or text message if email receipt confirmation has not been received within one hour.

Quote or timescale revisions

  • The completed work will be delivered on or before the date agreed, for the agreed fee, which will be based on a quote provided to the Client by Claire the Proofreader, or based on a per hour, per page, or per thousand word agreement.
  • If on receipt of the document to be worked on, or at an early stage in the project, it becomes apparent that significantly more work is required than had been anticipated in the preliminary discussion/brief, Claire the Proofreader may renegotiate the fee and/or the deadline.
  • Similarly, if during the term of the project, additional tasks are requested by the Client, Claire the Proofreader may renegotiate the fee and/or the deadline, or invoice separately for the additional elements.
  • Proofreading covers basic errors in spelling, grammar, formatting, syntax and design consistency only. Light editorial advice or minor language suggestions may be given at times. However, if the document received by Claire the Proofreader requires more comprehensive copy editing, this will be subject to a new quote.
  • If the parameters of the job change after the commencement of the project and the quote isn't renegotiated in line with the new parameters, the additional work will be charged at Claire the Proofreader's agreed-upon hourly rate, which itself is based on required turnaround time.

Subcontracting

  • Claire the Proofreader reserves the right to subcontract work to trusted professional proofreaders and copy editors if required.

Liability

  • Documents will be returned with a proofreading/copy editing report showing due diligence. Final liability for the document rests with the author, and whilst the utmost care will be taken to identify errors, it is conceivable that on occasion errors will be missed due to human error. Claire the Proofreader will not be liable for any losses resulting from missed errors or proofreading/copy editing advice provided, including loss of profit, income, revenue, anticipated savings, contracts, business, goodwill, reputation, data, or information. Claire the Proofreader will not be liable for any consequential, indirect or special loss or damage. Claire the Proofreader will not be liable for any loss or damage arising out of any event or events beyond our reasonable control.
  • The standard proofreading or copy editing service is to highlight errors in copy. Although the functionality of digital proofreading means that these errors are often corrected by the proofreader, it is not the responsibility of Claire the Proofreader to action changes.

Confidentiality

  • All work is guaranteed confidential. All copyright remains with the author of the piece.
  • Any content created by Claire the Proofreader as part of the proofreading/copy editing process will become the copyright of the Client, unless otherwise agreed.

Plagiarism

  • If you are a student, having your work proofread or copy edited for larger structural and linguistic concerns does not constitute plagiarism.
  • For international students, work will only be proofread or edited with a statement in writing from the student that they are not being assessed on their English language abilities.

Returning documents without change

  • Claire the Proofreader reserves the right to return any project after receiving it if there are concerns about the work. These concerns may include, but are not limited to:
    • The standard of writing or the scope of the project is such that it requires more work or time than originally estimated.
    • The subsequent increased timescales would encroach upon the confirmed projects of other Clients of Claire the Proofreader.
    • The nature of the business or the job raises ethical concerns.

Breach of contract

  • Either the Client or Claire the Proofreader has the right to terminate a contract for services if there is a serious breach of its terms.
  • This agreement is subject to the laws of England and Wales, and both Claire the Proofreader and the Client agree to submit to the jurisdiction of the English and Welsh courts.

Payment

  • Claire the Proofreader confirms that she is self-employed, is responsible for her own income tax, and will not claim benefits granted to the Client's employees.
  • The Client will reimburse Claire the Proofreader for agreed reasonable expenses over and above usual expenses incurred in the process of proofreading or copy editing work.
  • A deposit in advance may be requested for larger jobs.
  • International clients are liable for any exchange rate and conversion fees, unless otherwise discussed.
  • An invoice will be sent following the completion of the job.
  • If the project is lengthy, Claire the Proofreader may invoice periodically for completed stages.
  • Payment is via bank transfer or PayPal and unless agreed otherwise at the outset, payment must be made within 30 days of receipt of the invoice from Claire the Proofreader.

Promotional material

  • Once work has been completed, Claire the Proofreader may use the Client's name in her promotional material and on her website. Please advise in advance if you would prefer it to be omitted.
  • If Claire the Proofreader has made a substantial contribution to the copy editing/proofreading of the work, she will be entitled to receive one free copy of the work, to be specified as either hard copy or PDF.

Data Protection

  • The Client and Claire the Proofreader may keep on record such information (e.g. contact details) as is necessary. Either may view the other's records to ensure that they are relevant, correct and up-to-date.