Project Cancellation and Termination Policy for Design Vault Studio

This Project Cancellation and Termination Policy outlines the procedures, responsibilities, and terms for cancelling or terminating a project with DesignVault Studio. By engaging with our services, you agree to the terms below.

1. Purpose

This policy establishes clear guidelines for situations where a project needs to be cancelled or terminated, ensuring fair treatment of both parties and protecting resources invested up to the termination point.

2. Cancellation by the Client

Clients may request to cancel a project at any time. However, cancellation may result in fees, depending on the project’s progress. The terms are as follows:

• Notice of Cancellation: Clients must provide written notice of project cancellation, detailing the reason and desired cancellation date.
• Refund and Fee Assessment: Refunds are assessed based on project milestones completed. DesignVault Studio will retain fees for work completed up to the cancellation date, including any upfront costs or deposits as specified in the project agreement.
• Non-Refundable Deposit: Any initial deposit or retainer fee is non-refundable, as it secures the time and resources allocated for your project.
• Outstanding Balances: If any work has been completed beyond the deposit amount, the client is responsible for paying for work completed through the cancellation date.

3. Cancellation by DesignVault Studio

DesignVault Studio reserves the right to terminate a project in certain situations, such as:

• Non-Payment: If the client fails to meet payment deadlines or repeatedly delays payment, DesignVault Studio may suspend or terminate the project. Any work completed up to the termination date will be billed to the client.
• Lack of Communication: If the client is unresponsive for an extended period (e.g., 10 business days) and does not respond to follow-up attempts, we may terminate the project.
• Misuse or Abuse: In cases of misuse, abusive behavior, or violation of our policies, we reserve the right to terminate the project without notice.

In these cases, any unpaid fees for work completed will remain the client’s responsibility, and DesignVault Studio will retain the rights to all deliverables.

4. Refunds

Refunds may be issued upon project cancellation, depending on the following:

• Work Completed: Refunds will be calculated based on the stage of project completion at the time of cancellation. Any services rendered or time spent on the project will be deducted from the initial payment or deposit.
• Materials and Licenses: Any expenses incurred for materials, third-party licenses, or resources specifically purchased for the project will not be refundable.

Refunds are issued to the original payment method within (10 business days) of cancellation confirmation.

5. Transfer of Work Upon Cancellation

If a project is terminated or cancelled, the following applies to deliverables:

• Completed Work: For completed project phases or paid deliverables, DesignVault Studio will transfer any approved and paid-for files to the client upon request.
• Unfinished Work: Any incomplete designs, drafts, or project elements remain the property of DesignVault Studio and will not be delivered or transferred.
• Intellectual Property Rights: The client receives rights to use only the paid-for deliverables, as outlined in our Copyright and Intellectual Property Policy. DesignVault Studio retains ownership of any work or drafts not fully paid for.

6. Effect on Timeline

If a project is put on hold, paused, or cancelled, any previously agreed-upon timeline is void. If the project is resumed or restarted at a later date, a revised timeline and additional fees may be required to accommodate any new scheduling needs.

7. Reactivation of Paused Projects

If a project has been paused by the client and is later resumed, the following terms apply:

• Reactivation Fee: A reactivation fee may apply if a project has been paused for more than (30 days) to cover time and resources spent re-engaging with the project.
• New Timeline and Costs: We will re-evaluate the project timeline and any additional costs that may be incurred due to reactivation.

8. Dispute Resolution

In the event of a disagreement related to project termination or cancellation, both parties agree to make reasonable efforts to resolve the issue through mediation before seeking legal action.

• Mediation: Both parties agree to participate in good faith in at least one mediation session to resolve any dispute.
• Governing Law: This agreement is governed by the laws of United Kingdom, and any legal proceedings will take place in this jurisdiction.