Terms of Engagement
Effective Date: August 14, 2025
Website: northvalleycreative.com
Contact: idrift2u@gmail.com
Purpose & Scope
This agreement outlines the terms under which the Service Provider, Michael Wiktor, offers creative and technical services to the Client. It ensures clarity, boundaries, and mutual respect throughout the working relationship.
Retainer Policy & Transparency Access
All work begins only after a retainer payment is received. The retainer is a deposit for access, not a quote or guarantee of completed deliverables. For example, a $100 retainer does not mean $100 worth of services will be completed in full. It simply initiates the working relationship. If the retainer runs out before work is complete, the Client must refill the retainer to continue service. No exceptions. Service estimates and deliverables may be outlined separately in a project-specific estimate document, which is not a substitute for the retainer. The Service Provider will notify the Client when the retainer is low or depleted. No further work will be performed until the retainer is replenished. Each Client will be provided access to a private admin page on the Service Provider’s website. This page offers real-time visibility into:
- Tasks completed and in progress
- Retainer balance and usage
- Notes or updates relevant to the project This ensures full transparency and reduces the need for status check-ins.
Third-Party Payments & Responsibility
If a third party (such as an account manager, marketing agency, sales team, or other representative) pays the retainer on behalf of the Client, the retainer still applies exclusively to the Client’s project work. Once the retainer is depleted, either the Client or the third party must replenish it before any further work begins. Responsibility for maintaining an active retainer remains with both parties, regardless of who initiates payment.
Retainer Flexibility
The Client or their authorized representative may contribute more than $100 to the initial retainer or increase the retainer amount at any time. Higher retainers may allow for faster turnaround, priority scheduling, or extended service windows, depending on availability. All retainer funds are tracked transparently through the Client’s admin page.
Fulfillment for Third-Party Companies
When the Service Provider is hired by another company to fulfill services for one of their clients, the Service Provider’s responsibility is solely to the hiring company. The Service Provider is not responsible for direct communication, expectations, or contractual obligations with the end client unless explicitly agreed in writing. All deliverables, timelines, and revisions are managed through the hiring company.
Ongoing Retainer Coverage
This agreement governs all current and future retainer payments related to the Client’s project(s). Each refill or additional retainer payment is considered an extension of this agreement and does not require a new contract. All terms, boundaries, and expectations outlined herein remain in full effect unless amended in writing by both parties.
Estimates & Deliverables
Upon request, the Service Provider may provide a written estimate outlining expected deliverables and timeframes. Estimates are not binding and may shift based on scope, revisions, or unforeseen technical needs. Final deliverables will be confirmed in writing and delivered upon completion and full payment.
Communication & Boundaries
All communication is handled via email or written message. No phone calls unless explicitly scheduled. Clients are expected to respect boundaries and avoid scope creep, vague requests, or emotional appeals. The admin page serves as the primary dashboard for project status, reducing the need for frequent updates or manual check-ins.
Payment Terms
Retainer payments are non-refundable and must be paid upfront to secure project time, planning, and build momentum. Additional services beyond the retainer will be invoiced separately. Invoices are due upon receipt. Late payments may result in paused work or termination of services.
In rare cases where the client expresses documented and specific dissatisfaction with the initial direction—prior to any major build or delivery—North Valley Creative may, at its sole discretion, offer a partial refund or credit toward future services. Requests must be submitted in writing within 14 days of retainer activation and will be evaluated based on time invested and scope initiated.
Revisions & Feedback
Minor revisions are included within reason. Excessive changes may require additional retainer funds. Feedback must be clear, actionable, and submitted in writing.
Termination
Either party may terminate this agreement with written notice. Upon termination, all work completed up to that point will be billed against the retainer. Any remaining retainer balance will be considered compensation for time reserved, planning initiated, and opportunity cost incurred. No refunds will be issued for unused retainer balances.
North Valley Creative reserves the right to terminate services immediately in cases of scope violation, non-payment, or behavior that compromises project integrity or professional boundaries.
Ownership & Licensing
Final deliverables become the Client’s property upon full payment. The Service Provider retains the right to showcase work in portfolios unless otherwise agreed.
Liability & Expectations The Service Provider is not responsible for business outcomes, sales performance, or third-party platform issues. Clients are responsible for maintaining access credentials, domain renewals, and hosting arrangements unless otherwise contracted.
Agreement & Acceptance
By submitting payment, the Client agrees to all terms outlined above. This agreement protects both parties and ensures a respectful, productive working relationship.
Scope Freeze During Active Work
Once work begins on a deliverable, the scope is considered frozen. Any changes or additions must be submitted in writing and may require a new estimate or retainer refill. This prevents midstream pivots that disrupt timelines or dilute focus.
Platform Limitations & Compatibility
The Service Provider builds within the constraints of third-party platforms (e.g., WordPress, Stripe, GoDaddy, Canva). Compatibility issues, deprecated features, or platform outages are outside the Service Provider’s control. Clients are responsible for platform subscriptions, updates, and compliance.
Intellectual Property & Reuse
The Service Provider may reuse non-client-specific code, design patterns, or workflow systems across projects. This ensures efficiency and scalability. Proprietary client content will never be shared or repurposed.
Admin Page Is Read-Only
The Client’s admin page is for visibility only. It does not serve as a communication channel or task submission form. All requests must be submitted via email or written message to ensure clarity and proper tracking.
Builder-Not-Broker Clarification
The Service Provider builds systems, not guarantees outcomes. Marketing results, sales performance, or user engagement are influenced by many external factors. Clients are responsible for strategy, promotion, and conversion unless otherwise contracted.
Availability & Response Hours
Monday–Friday: 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM MST
Saturday–Sunday: 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM MST
I am not available before 8:00 AM on weekdays due to my full-time work schedule.
Communication or requests outside these hours may not receive a response until the next available window.
Terms of Engagement
Effective Date: August 14, 2025
Website: northvalleycreative.com
Contact: idrift2u@gmail.com
Purpose & Scope
This agreement outlines the terms under which the Service Provider, Michael Wiktor, offers creative and technical services to the Client. It ensures clarity, boundaries, and mutual respect throughout the working relationship.
Retainer Policy & Transparency Access
All work begins only after a retainer payment is received. The retainer is a deposit for access, not a quote or guarantee of completed deliverables. For example, a $100 retainer does not mean $100 worth of services will be completed in full. It simply initiates the working relationship. If the retainer runs out before work is complete, the Client must refill the retainer to continue service. No exceptions. Service estimates and deliverables may be outlined separately in a project-specific estimate document, which is not a substitute for the retainer. The Service Provider will notify the Client when the retainer is low or depleted. No further work will be performed until the retainer is replenished. Each Client will be provided access to a private admin page on the Service Provider’s website. This page offers real-time visibility into:
- Tasks completed and in progress
- Retainer balance and usage
- Notes or updates relevant to the project This ensures full transparency and reduces the need for status check-ins.
Third-Party Payments & Responsibility
If a third party (such as an account manager, marketing agency, sales team, or other representative) pays the retainer on behalf of the Client, the retainer still applies exclusively to the Client’s project work. Once the retainer is depleted, either the Client or the third party must replenish it before any further work begins. Responsibility for maintaining an active retainer remains with both parties, regardless of who initiates payment.
Retainer Flexibility
The Client or their authorized representative may contribute more than $100 to the initial retainer or increase the retainer amount at any time. Higher retainers may allow for faster turnaround, priority scheduling, or extended service windows, depending on availability. All retainer funds are tracked transparently through the Client’s admin page.
Fulfillment for Third-Party Companies
When the Service Provider is hired by another company to fulfill services for one of their clients, the Service Provider’s responsibility is solely to the hiring company. The Service Provider is not responsible for direct communication, expectations, or contractual obligations with the end client unless explicitly agreed in writing. All deliverables, timelines, and revisions are managed through the hiring company.
Ongoing Retainer Coverage
This agreement governs all current and future retainer payments related to the Client’s project(s). Each refill or additional retainer payment is considered an extension of this agreement and does not require a new contract. All terms, boundaries, and expectations outlined herein remain in full effect unless amended in writing by both parties.
Estimates & Deliverables
Upon request, the Service Provider may provide a written estimate outlining expected deliverables and timeframes. Estimates are not binding and may shift based on scope, revisions, or unforeseen technical needs. Final deliverables will be confirmed in writing and delivered upon completion and full payment.
Communication & Boundaries
All communication is handled via email or written message. No phone calls unless explicitly scheduled. Clients are expected to respect boundaries and avoid scope creep, vague requests, or emotional appeals. The admin page serves as the primary dashboard for project status, reducing the need for frequent updates or manual check-ins.
Payment Terms
Retainer payments are non-refundable and must be paid upfront to secure project time, planning, and build momentum. Additional services beyond the retainer will be invoiced separately. Invoices are due upon receipt. Late payments may result in paused work or termination of services.
In rare cases where the client expresses documented and specific dissatisfaction with the initial direction—prior to any major build or delivery—North Valley Creative may, at its sole discretion, offer a partial refund or credit toward future services. Requests must be submitted in writing within 14 days of retainer activation and will be evaluated based on time invested and scope initiated.
Revisions & Feedback
Minor revisions are included within reason. Excessive changes may require additional retainer funds. Feedback must be clear, actionable, and submitted in writing.
Termination
Either party may terminate this agreement with written notice. Upon termination, all work completed up to that point will be billed against the retainer. Any remaining retainer balance will be considered compensation for time reserved, planning initiated, and opportunity cost incurred. No refunds will be issued for unused retainer balances.
North Valley Creative reserves the right to terminate services immediately in cases of scope violation, non-payment, or behavior that compromises project integrity or professional boundaries.
Ownership & Licensing
Final deliverables become the Client’s property upon full payment. The Service Provider retains the right to showcase work in portfolios unless otherwise agreed.
Liability & Expectations The Service Provider is not responsible for business outcomes, sales performance, or third-party platform issues. Clients are responsible for maintaining access credentials, domain renewals, and hosting arrangements unless otherwise contracted.
Agreement & Acceptance
By submitting payment, the Client agrees to all terms outlined above. This agreement protects both parties and ensures a respectful, productive working relationship.
Scope Freeze During Active Work
Once work begins on a deliverable, the scope is considered frozen. Any changes or additions must be submitted in writing and may require a new estimate or retainer refill. This prevents midstream pivots that disrupt timelines or dilute focus.
Platform Limitations & Compatibility
The Service Provider builds within the constraints of third-party platforms (e.g., WordPress, Stripe, GoDaddy, Canva). Compatibility issues, deprecated features, or platform outages are outside the Service Provider’s control. Clients are responsible for platform subscriptions, updates, and compliance.
Intellectual Property & Reuse
The Service Provider may reuse non-client-specific code, design patterns, or workflow systems across projects. This ensures efficiency and scalability. Proprietary client content will never be shared or repurposed.
Admin Page Is Read-Only
The Client’s admin page is for visibility only. It does not serve as a communication channel or task submission form. All requests must be submitted via email or written message to ensure clarity and proper tracking.
Builder-Not-Broker Clarification
The Service Provider builds systems, not guarantees outcomes. Marketing results, sales performance, or user engagement are influenced by many external factors. Clients are responsible for strategy, promotion, and conversion unless otherwise contracted.
Availability & Response Hours
Monday–Friday: 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM MST
Saturday–Sunday: 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM MST
I am not available before 8:00 AM on weekdays due to my full-time work schedule.
Communication or requests outside these hours may not receive a response until the next available window.