Frequently Asked Questions
Getting Started
Please fill out our order form and send over all files and instructions. Please be as descriptive as possible regarding how you want your design coded.
Basically, you should include instructions for anything that can't be inferred from just looking at the design. This may include:
- Fluid or fixed layout
- Whether you want the PSD sliced pixel-perfect
- Absolute ( /images/ ) or relative ( images/ ) file paths
It's important that you be very descriptive and specific in your initial instructions to avoid any issues. If we're unsure about something during the project, we will always ask you instead of assuming.
We strongly prefer designs in Photoshop PSD format with graphical elements in separate layers so we can take things apart and slice your design more efficiently. The design comp you send us should represent the final, complete look of your website.
If you must use a different format, we can work with you but know that there are limitations associated with various formats. For example, Illustrator AI files with vector graphics need to be rasterized and the conversion process causes excess anti-aliasing which makes straight edges look blurry and "dirty". Flat images like JPG's are very limiting in the slicing process.
Our order form allows you to upload a file (up to 15 MB) or specify a URL where we can download the file. If you need to send several files, please pack them into a ZIP or RAR archive. You can also email us the file directly or send a link for us to download the file.
If your design uses any custom fonts, you must send us the font files. Rollover states and other effects should be included in the PSD in complete form (do not just include a sample and ask us to replicate the effect in other areas).
We will reply within 1 business day with a price quote and schedule for completion if we are available to take on the project.
Service Info
No, currently we can only accomodate 1 project at a time from each client. You may send us multiple projects, but they will be scheduled sequentially. This may change in the future.
You will receive a ZIP archive of the coded pages via email or we will send you a link to download the files. The coded pages can also be viewed online at a designated URL that we send you.
Yes, however we will recalculate the price quote and extend the turnaround time to reflect the change request.
Yes, you can request small adjustments after you review the coded work. However, major changes will be billable.
With a completed design and adequate instructions, there's no reason we can't provide coded work that's not to your liking. When given a design, there usually isn't much room for interpretation. In this kind of work, the possibility of us venturing so far off your expectations is extremely low. If problems arise, we always work with you to solve those issues.
Turnaround Time
1 business day is defined as 24 hours Eastern Standard Time (GMT -5), excluding Saturday, Sunday, and major U.S. holidays.
In 2008, we will observe holidays on the following dates:
- January 1, 2008: New Year's Day
- January 21, 2008: Martin Luther King Day
- February 18, 2008: Presidents Day
- May 26, 2008: Memorial Day
- July 4, 2008: Independence Day
- September 1, 2008: Labor Day
- October 13, 2008: Columbus Day
- November 11, 2008: Veterans' Day
- November 26-28, 2008: Thanksgiving
- December 24-31, 2008: Christmas and New Year's Eve
Each project officially begins when we email you to confirm receipt of the 50% upfront payment. We will list the official start time and deadline for the project in the email.
For very large projects, it may be impossible for us to complete it within 5 days. Sometimes we may not be able to offer rush 2-day or 3-day service depending on the size of the project. We will let you know this upfront if that's the case.
During the project, we may sometimes need clarification on an issue or require additional files before we can continue. If you fail to respond in a timely manner, it may extend the turnaround time.
If you send us extensive change requests or new files during the project, it may both change the price quote and extend the turnaround time.
Billing and Payment
A 50% upfront payment is required before we start working on your project. When the project is completed, we will send you an invoice. The remaining 50% is due within 15 days of the invoice date. This payment policy may be relaxed on a case-by-case basis at our sole discretion and will be indicated explicitly in writing.
We accept PayPal which allows you to pay with all major credit cards, bank funds, e-checks, and existing PayPal funds. At this time we only accept PayPal.
We will provide a refund if you cancel a project before we've started any work. We will refund you in full minus any unrecoverable transaction fees. Once we've started working on your project, there are absolutely no refunds since we have already set aside time and resources for your project.
We will waive the second 50% payment if we do not deliver the work on time, although we can honestly say this has never happened.
We only accept United States Dollars (USD). All prices are listed in USD unless otherwise stated.
If payment is not received by the invoice due date, we will assess a 1.5% late fee and continue to add 1.5% every 15 days thereafter until payment is received.
If payment is not received within 30 days after the invoice due date, the account is considered deliquent. You will lose all rights to use the code we provide. We reserve the right to pursue all avenues available to us to recover the amount owed including, but limited to, sending the outstanding amount to collections and legal action. We will also notify both consumer and business credit reporting agencies of your deliquency. Account deliquency ends your relationship with CSS for Hire.
In short, if we work diligently to deliver quality work on time, we expect our clients to show us the same respect and make payments on time.
We work in good faith to resolve any issues that clients bring to our attention. We have a zero-tolerance policy against chargebacks. A chargeback ends your relationship with CSS for Hire permanently and we will no longer accept any work from you. A chargeback voids all existing contracts or agreements between our parties.
Pricing
No, we feel our prices are fair for the high quality of work we provide. The price quotes we give you are final and non-negotiable. We do not price-match, participate in price bidding, or barter services.
We do however provide volume discounts on a case-by-case basis for clients who send us a regular flow of projects. If interested, please contact us.
We do not have fixed prices because each project and design is different. If we institute fixed pricing to cover all projects, we would have to build in a large risk margin. Simpler designs would then be overpriced.
Privacy & Confidentiality
Yes, our clients are covered by a Non-Disclosure Agreement. We work with many designers and agencies who are outsourcing work to us so we understand the importance of confidentiality.
We enjoy good relationships with our clients so from time to time we may ask you for a testimonial or personal reference. You are not required to provide either if you do not wish to.
No, we will never display work we do for you publicly without your permission. If we'd like to display work done for you as part of a portfolio, we will always ask for your permission first. If permission is granted, we will modify the work to remove identifying marks like names and logos before publishing it.
No, we will never show work we do for you to third parties without your permission. Prospective clients will often want to see examples of our work. Upon completion of a project, we may ask for permission to show the work to third parties privately (not in a public portfolio). You are free to accept or decline this request.
