Please read each section carefully before accepting.
1. PAYMENT STRUCTURE
The Client agrees to pay fifty percent (50%) of the total agreed project fee as an upfront deposit before any website development work begins. This upfront payment secures the Client's project slot in the BuildForge production schedule and directly funds the planning phase, design preparation, allocation of development resources, and the initial build effort. Work shall not commence, and no resources shall be reserved, until the upfront payment has been received and confirmed in full.
2. WEBSITE REVIEW PROCESS
Once the website has been built to the agreed scope, BuildForge shall provide the Client with secure access to a staging or preview environment for review and testing. The Client shall have a reasonable review period to inspect the design, functionality, content, and overall experience, and to submit consolidated feedback in writing. This review stage allows the Client to confirm that the deliverable meets the agreed brief before final delivery.
3. FINAL PAYMENT
The remaining fifty percent (50%) of the project fee shall become due once the Client has reviewed and approved the completed website. This final payment must be received in full BEFORE BuildForge will: (a) launch the website to the live production environment; (b) connect or transfer the Client's custom domain; (c) transfer ownership of the website, project files, or related digital assets; and (d) deliver admin credentials, CMS access, source files, or any production-level keys. Until final payment is received, the website remains the property of BuildForge and may not be used in a live commercial capacity.
4. REVISIONS
BuildForge shall provide a reasonable number of revisions within the originally agreed project scope, including refinements to layout, copy placement, imagery, and styling consistent with the approved design direction. Requests that introduce new features, additional pages, new integrations, redesigns of approved sections, or any work that materially expands the original brief shall be treated as out-of-scope and may be quoted separately and invoiced as additional work.
5. CANCELLATION POLICY
If the Client elects to cancel the project after development has commenced, the upfront fifty percent (50%) payment is strictly non-refundable. This reflects the planning, design, development hours, third-party resources, and production capacity that have already been committed and consumed on the Client's behalf. Cancellation must be submitted in writing, and any work completed up to the date of cancellation shall remain the property of BuildForge until any outstanding amounts are settled.
6. PROJECT DELAYS
BuildForge commits to delivering the project within the agreed timeline, provided that the Client cooperates promptly throughout the process. Delays in Client communication, late or missing content (such as copy, images, branding assets, or product information), slow approvals, or repeated changes of direction may extend the delivery timeline. BuildForge shall not be held liable for missed milestones caused by Client-side delays, and revised timelines will be communicated in writing when such delays occur.
7. OWNERSHIP & DELIVERY
Full ownership of the website, including source code, design files, content management access, administrative credentials, and any associated digital assets, transfers to the Client only after the total project fee has been paid in full and cleared. Prior to full payment, the website, its underlying code, and all associated working files remain the exclusive intellectual property of BuildForge. Upon receipt of final payment, BuildForge shall deliver all required credentials, files, and ownership transfers promptly and professionally.
8. CONFIDENTIALITY
Each party agrees to keep confidential any non-public business information, credentials, strategic plans, or proprietary materials shared during the engagement. This obligation survives the completion or termination of this Agreement.
9. GOVERNING LAW
This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Republic of South Africa. Any dispute shall first be addressed through good-faith negotiation, and failing resolution, submitted to the competent courts of South Africa.