Terms & Conditions

1. Introduction

These Terms & Conditions ("Agreement") govern all freelance development services provided by Karthik Idikuda ("Developer", "I", "me") to the client ("Client", "you"). By engaging my services, you agree to these terms in their entirety.

This agreement applies to all services including but not limited to web development, app development, AI/ML solutions, UI/UX design, and consulting.

2. Scope of Services

Services offered include:

• Website & web application development (React, Next.js, HTML/CSS/JS)
• Mobile app development (Flutter, React Native)
• Backend & API development (Node.js, Python, Firebase)
• AI/ML model development & integration
• Database design & management
• UI/UX design & prototyping
• Cloud deployment & DevOps
• Maintenance & support

The exact scope of work will be discussed and agreed upon before project commencement. Any work outside the agreed scope will require a separate agreement and additional payment.

3. Pricing & Payments

3.1 Pricing Tiers

Base pricing is as follows (final cost depends on project complexity):

3.2 Payment Structure

• Advance Payment: A minimum of 50% of the total project cost is required upfront before work begins.
• Milestone Payments: For projects above ₹15,000, payments may be split into milestones (e.g., 50% upfront, 25% at midpoint, 25% on delivery).
• Final Payment: The remaining balance must be paid before the final deliverables (source code, deployment credentials) are handed over.

3.3 Payment Methods

• UPI (GPay, PhonePe, Paytm)
• Bank Transfer (NEFT/IMPS)
• PayPal (for international clients)
• Other methods as mutually agreed

3.4 Late Payments

If payment is delayed beyond 7 days of the due date, work will be paused until payment is received. After 30 days of non-payment, the project may be cancelled and all deliverables withheld.

4. Project Process & Timeline

4.1 Discovery & Agreement

1. Client submits project requirements via the inquiry form or email.
2. A detailed discussion is held to finalize scope, features, and timeline.
3. A written project brief / proposal is shared for mutual agreement.
4. Upon approval and advance payment, development begins.

4.2 Development & Communication

• Regular progress updates will be shared via WhatsApp, email, or agreed channel.
• Client is expected to respond to queries within 48 hours to avoid delays.
• Demos and previews will be shared at key milestones for feedback.

4.3 Timeline

Estimated timelines are shared during the proposal stage. These are best-effort estimates and may vary based on:

• Complexity of features requested
• Client responsiveness and feedback turnaround
• Scope changes or additions during development
• Third-party API or service dependencies

5. Revisions & Changes

5.1 Included Revisions

• Up to 2 rounds of revisions are included in the base price.
• Revisions cover design tweaks, text changes, and minor adjustments within the original scope.

5.2 Additional Revisions

• Extra revisions beyond the included rounds will be billed at an hourly rate or a flat fee, as discussed.
• Major scope changes (new features, redesigns, platform changes) require a new quote.

5.3 Scope Creep

Requests that go beyond the originally agreed scope ("scope creep") will be quoted separately. Work on additional features will begin only after approval and payment.

6. Deliverables & Handover

• Complete source code (via GitHub repository or zip archive)
• Deployment to client's hosting/server (if included in scope)
• Documentation for setup, usage, and maintenance (for complex projects)
• All design files (Figma, if applicable)
• Database schema and credentials (if applicable)

Note: Deliverables are handed over only after full payment is received.

7. Intellectual Property & Ownership

7.1 Client Ownership

Upon full payment, the Client receives complete ownership of:

• All custom code written specifically for the project
• Design files and assets created for the project
• Database and content created for the project

7.2 Developer Rights

• The Developer retains the right to showcase the project in their portfolio (unless a Non-Disclosure Agreement is signed).
• Generic, reusable code components and libraries used across multiple projects remain the Developer's property.
• Third-party libraries, frameworks, and assets are subject to their own licenses.

7.3 Pre-Payment

Until full payment is received, all intellectual property remains with the Developer. The Client may not use, distribute, or modify any deliverables until payment is complete.

8. Confidentiality

Both parties agree to keep all project-related information confidential. This includes but is not limited to:

• Business strategies and proprietary data
• Source code and technical architecture
• User data and credentials
• Financial terms and pricing

A separate NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement) can be signed upon request at no additional cost.

9. Warranties & Support

9.1 Bug-Free Guarantee

A 15-day bug-fix warranty is provided after final delivery. During this period, any bugs or issues arising from the delivered code will be fixed at no extra cost.

9.2 What's Not Covered

• Issues caused by client modifications to the code
• Third-party service outages or API changes
• Hosting, domain, or server issues on the client's end
• New feature requests or enhancements

9.3 Ongoing Support

Post-warranty support and maintenance can be arranged on a monthly retainer or per-request basis at mutually agreed rates.

10. Cancellation & Refund Policy

10.1 Client Cancellation

• Before work begins: Full refund of advance payment.
• During development: Payment for work completed up to that point will be retained. Any excess advance will be refunded.
• After delivery: No refund is applicable once deliverables have been handed over.

10.2 Developer Cancellation

In unlikely circumstances where the Developer cannot complete the project, a full refund of any unused advance will be provided, along with all work completed up to that point.

10.3 Disputes

Any disputes will be resolved through good-faith negotiation. If unresolved, disputes will be subject to the jurisdiction of courts in India.

11. Client Responsibilities

The Client agrees to:

• Provide all necessary content, assets, and information in a timely manner
• Respond to communications within 48 hours
• Provide clear and constructive feedback during review cycles
• Ensure all provided content (text, images, data) does not violate any laws or third-party rights
• Arrange their own hosting, domain, and third-party service subscriptions (unless included in scope)
• Test the deliverables thoroughly before going live

12. Limitation of Liability

The Developer shall not be held liable for:

• Any indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising from the use of the delivered product
• Loss of data, revenue, or business opportunities
• Downtime or issues caused by third-party services (hosting, APIs, etc.)
• Security breaches resulting from client mismanagement of credentials

Total liability shall not exceed the total amount paid for the specific project in question.

13. Force Majeure

Neither party shall be liable for delays or failure to perform due to circumstances beyond their reasonable control, including but not limited to natural disasters, pandemics, government actions, internet outages, or other unforeseen events.

14. Governing Law

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of India. Any legal proceedings shall be conducted in the jurisdiction of Indian courts.

15. Amendments

These terms may be updated at any time. Clients will be notified of significant changes. The latest version will always be available at this page. Continued engagement of services after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated terms.

16. Contact

For questions or concerns regarding these terms, contact:

• Email: karthik129259@gmail.com
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/karthik129259
• Website: karthikidikuda.dev