Terms & Conditions

The following terms and conditions are provided so that you have an upfront and honest understanding of what is involved in the process of working together. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me so that I can provide clarity and reassurance.

General Overview

These terms and conditions apply to any work done on behalf of the Client (you) by me (Louise O’Neill | Proofreader & Copyeditor).

  

  • I will provide proofreading/editing services agreed upon (in writing) by myself and the Client.
  • The work will be carried out unsupervised at such times and places as determined by me, using my own equipment.
  • The work will be carried out by me. I will not subcontract proofreading/editing projects, or parts of projects, to third parties.
  • I confirm that I am self-employed, am responsible for my own income tax and National Insurance contributions, and will not claim benefits granted to the Client's employees.
  • I am not VAT-registered.
  • The contract of service requires that the Client and I both acknowledge, in writing, that we have read, understood and agreed to these terms and conditions.

Project Terms

Prior to commencement of the proofreading/editing work, the Client and I will agree, in writing, to the terms of the project:


  • the medium in which the proofreading/editing service will be carried out (e.g. in Word, on PDF, on paper)
  • how the material will be annotated (e.g. Track Changes in Word, BSI correction symbols on paper)
  • the length of time required to complete the project
  • a fee for the project, based on a quotation supplied by me, in writing For longer and custom projects this may follow my evaluation of the material to be proofread/edited and the time frame required to complete the job
  • any expenses (e.g. postage) that the Client will bear in addition to the costs of the proofreading/editing
  • the date by which the material will be delivered by the Client to me
  • the latest date by which the completed project will be returned, following my advice to the Client.

  

Please note that if, on receipt of the project to be worked on (or at an early stage), it becomes apparent that significantly more work is required than had been anticipated in the preliminary discussion/brief or from the sample supplied, I may renegotiate the fee and/or the deadline, or decline to carry out the work in which case any booking fee which the Client has paid (large projects) will be refunded.

Fees

  • A quotation for fees is supplied after a discussion with the Client as to what is required AND, in the case of large or custom projects, after an evaluation of the proofs by me.
  • The Client will pay me a fee per hour OR per 1,000 words, OR an agreed flat fee for the job, according to prior agreement.
  • Once the Client and I have agreed the full fee, it is non-negotiable unless the Client extends the word count of the job or requests additional services. In this case, a revised quotation and job-completion date will be negotiated. 
  • Unless otherwise agreed, I will invoice the Client before I start work on the proofreading/editing project OR, in the case of large projects, in instalments before commencing work on each stage.
  • Payment should be received within a specified time, agreed in advance, from submission of the invoice or within 30 days, as set out in the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998 – Amended and Supplemented in 2002.

Additional Terms for Large Projects

Booking Fee for Large Projects

For large projects, I ask for a non-refundable booking fee which will be deducted from the final invoice. Once the client has confirmed the booking via the booking form, I will issue the invoice for the booking fee.


  • By confirming the booking, the Client agrees to secure my proofreading/editing services for a specific and mutually agreed-upon project, at a specific and mutually agreed time.
  • By confirming the booking, the Client confirms that they have read and agreed to the terms and conditions herein. From thereon, the terms of the cancellation policy (see below) apply.
  • The booking fee will be deducted from the final invoice issued when the editing work is complete.
  • The booking is considered confirmed once the booking fee has been paid by the client and received by me.
  • The booking fee should be paid within 3 days of sending the booking-confirmation form to secure the slot in my schedule.

Cancellation Policy for Large Projects

  • Cancellation during the project: In the case that the Client cancels the work during the proofreading/editing project, I reserve the right to invoice for 100% of the agreed fee (less the booking fee).
  • Cancellation prior to project commencement: In the case that the Client cancels the work prior to the proofreading/editing project commencing, but after making a booking and agreeing to the terms and conditions of service herein, I reserve the right to invoice for 100% of the agreed fee (less the booking fee) if the cancellation occurs with less than one month's notice.
  • If the Client wishes to cancel with more than one month's notice but less than two months' notice, I reserve the right to invoice for 50% of the previously agreed fee (less the booking fee).
  • In the event that the Client wishes to cancel with more than two months' notice, the booking fee will not be refunded but no other charge will apply.
  • Both the Client and I have the right to terminate a contract for services at any time if there is a serious breach of its terms.
  • If I am touched by extraordinary or difficult circumstances that cause cancellation (e.g. bereavement), I will contact the Client in writing at the earliest opportunity and do my best to renegotiate the time frame of the project or find an alternative supplier of proofreading/editing services in which case the booking fee will be refunded.