Terms & Conditions

Scope & quote

All engagements begin with a written scope document agreed by both parties. The quoted price is fixed based on that scope. Changes outside the agreed scope are quoted separately before any additional work begins.

Payment terms

Payment terms depend on the service. They are set out in your written quote before any work begins, and nothing is payable before you have that quote.

New website builds

You first see a free concept of your site, at no cost and no obligation. Before you approve it, nothing is owed and nothing is charged, and you may walk away owing nothing.

On approval the quoted build is payable in two milestones: 50% on approval, which starts the build, and 50% at go-live. Each milestone is issued as a Stripe Invoice. The first milestone is credited against the fixed quote. It is the first instalment of the one quoted price, not an additional charge.

From approval the first milestone is committed, because it pays for the build that is then underway. It is non-refundable if you withdraw after approval, except where Smart Labs fails to supply the agreed service or the law requires otherwise.

Existing-site improvements, search work and automation

These are scoped and quoted individually. The payment schedule for each engagement is stated in its written quote or invoice. The milestone structure above applies to website builds and is not applied automatically to other services.

Care plans and the Google Business Profile service

Care plans are billed monthly on their own terms, set out below. The Google Business Profile service is $299 including GST, and its payment timing is stated at the time it is quoted.

Unless stated otherwise, prices are exclusive of GST. GST is applied on top and itemised on the tax invoice. The Google Business Profile service is the exception noted above and is quoted inclusive of GST.

Earlier terms

Some existing projects were quoted or configured under an earlier arrangement billed through the client portal as a 30% deposit and a 70% balance. Those projects continue under the terms assigned to them, which are preserved unchanged at version 2026-06-28. That arrangement is not available for new engagements. If you are unsure which terms apply to your project, email hello@trysmartlabs.com.au and we will tell you.

Third-party costs

Third-party costs (including but not limited to domain registration, Vercel hosting, and Google Workspace) are invoiced separately from the build at cost. These are itemised in the quote and must be paid before any third-party service is activated. Smart Labs does not mark up third-party costs.

Domain ownership & transfer

Clients may bring their own domain, in which case Smart Labs configures the DNS at no setup charge. Alternatively Smart Labs can register and set it up for a one-off setup fee, quoted upfront. Domain registration fees are charged at cost.

Where Smart Labs registers the domain, it is managed by Smart Labs during the build period. On full payment of the build, the domain transfers to the client's nominated registrar account at no additional charge.

Where Smart Labs registered the domain, and the client withdraws after approval, Smart Labs retains that domain for 12 months from the registration date. The client may request a transfer within that 12-month period for a $200 + GST registry-handling fee. This fee is separate from the deposit (which covers build work already done) and applies only to domains Smart Labs registered. It never applies where the client brought their own domain. After 12 months, the domain lapses and Smart Labs has no further obligation to renew or transfer it.

Hosting & code

During the build and any active care plan, hosting is managed by Smart Labs via Vercel. On full payment of the build, the client receives the full codebase. Clients not on a care plan are responsible for their own hosting after handover.

Google Workspace

Smart Labs configures Google Workspace as a one-off setup service. It is included in a paid build, and quoted as a setup fee otherwise. The ongoing Google Workspace subscription (~$10 + GST/mo) is the client's responsibility directly with Google after handover. Smart Labs transfers admin access on full payment of the build.

Intellectual property

On full payment, the client owns all custom code, copy, and assets produced for the engagement, whether that is a website build, existing-site improvements, search work or automation. Smart Labs retains the right to display the work in its portfolio unless otherwise agreed in writing.

Images & content

The client warrants that they own, or have permission to use, any photos, logos and content they provide for the build, and that those images truthfully represent their own completed work.

Smart Labs may enhance supplied photos for web presentation, for example correcting exposure, colour, sharpness or resolution, while keeping them an accurate record of the work shown. Smart Labs does not alter images in any way that misrepresents the quality or outcome of the work. Any AI-assisted edit beyond such correction is made only with the client's review and approval, and the original photo is always retained.

Care plans

Care plans are optional and month-to-month. You can cancel anytime; your plan ends at the end of the current paid month. Cancelling does not affect what you own.

When a care plan ends we hand over your code, content, domain, and a lead export at no Smart Labs exit fee, and keep the Smart Labs-hosted copy live for 30 days while you move it; after that, our hosting and the Smart Labs-managed form endpoint may be switched off. You can move it yourself, or pay an optional setup fee for us to repoint DNS and redeploy it. Third-party hosting, domain, form, and email costs remain yours.

Liability

Smart Labs is not liable for losses arising from third-party service outages (Google, Vercel, domain registrars) or client-side delays. Delivery timelines are based on signed scope and timely content handover from the client.

Governing law

These terms are governed by the laws of New South Wales, Australia.

Contact

Questions about these terms: hello@trysmartlabs.com.au