Hire a Tech Dude!

By completing this Agreement, Client (You) has retained Mike Mueller (Service Provider) to proceed with the requested services, and agrees to the terms and conditions as set forth in this Agreement:

1. Services. Client has retained Service Provider to perform:

(see form field entered by Client)

2. Payment. Client agrees to commit to Fee Schedule as listed below.

3. Hourly Pay Basis. Accrued time is computed to the actual second. For single tasks, payments are due upon completion. For an ongoing agreement, an automated invoice will be generated and due on Friday of each week. Payments rendered are considered fully earned and non-refundable.

4. Additional Work. Client understands additional work beyond the scope of this initial Agreement may be billed separately at the full standard hourly rate according to service category with payment due upon receipt.

5. Service Categories. There is no per-hour minimum for services. Hourly rates are billed in actual second increments. Client understands that hourly rates are subject to change without notice at the discretion of Service Provider.

6. Client Responsibilities. Client understands that Service Provider is not an employee, and that this will be a collaborative, professional relationship of equals where mutual professional respect, courtesy and consideration are expected. Due to the virtual nature of the relationship, Client understands the importance of communication, especially via email, and agrees to respond to questions, requests and communications from Service Provider in a timely manner. Client understands that Service Provider is a business with other clients to serve, and requires fair, realistic notice in order to attend to requests and projects. Poor planning or miscommunications on the part of the Client will not constitute an emergency for Service Provider. Client understands that Service Provider may require detailed clarification of projects in order to meet expectations and provide the best support and highest quality work.

7. Office Hours & Communication. Office hours are Monday through Friday 9:00 am to 5:00pm (PST). Email is to be the primary form of communication between Client and Service Provider. Service Provider is available for phone calls during office hours only. Occasional calls of only a few minutes in duration are not typically billed to Client. However, the time of both parties must be respected, and calls lasting over 10 minutes will be billed to Client. Telephone meetings must be prescheduled. Cancellation requires a minimum of 24 hours advance notice. Missed meetings or cancellations without sufficient notice will be billed to Client.

8. Projects Completion. Basic support receives 24-48 hours attention. Each new or special project requires a minimum three (3) days lead time. Client will provide sufficient notice and allow for reasonable timeframes for project completions. Rush projects of 24 hours or less and projects requiring weekend or holiday work may be subject to a 25% surcharge and/or other rush fees. Service Provider reserves the right to refuse any project or service request.

9. Materials & Information. Client will provide all content, outlines, photos, project images, etc., necessary for any special projects. Source material must be clear and legible. Client is responsible for furnishing all pertinent information, and for furnishing accurate, truthful and complete information necessary for Service Provider to perform or complete the agreed services or project.

10. Expenses. Expenses incurred on behalf of Client are not included in any fees and will be billed to Client. Payment is due upon receipt.

11. Delivery. Completed projects are delivered via CD, email, FTP, U.S. Mail, or other means as required by the Client. Client is responsible and will be billed for all shipping and handling costs.

12. Accuracy. Client assumes full responsibility for acceptance of work or services performed and agreed upon, as well as final proofing and accuracy. Service Provider is not responsible for errors or omissions.

13. Payment Options. Major credit cards and e-checks are accepted through FreshBooks, our online payment vendor.

14. NSF Fees. There is a $40 NSF (insufficient funds) fee for returned checks.

15. Late Payments. Payments not received by due date will result in work cessation. Service Provider reserves the right to refuse completion or delivery of work until past due balances are paid. Monthly late charges of $10.00 or 1.75% (APR of 21%), whichever is greater, will be assessed on unpaid balances every 30 (thirty) days.

16. Lien. All materials or property belonging to Client, as well as work performed, may be retained as security until all just claims against Client are satisfied.

17. Late Fees. Clients who consistently fail to respond to questions in a timely manner, do not supply needed information, or otherwise impair efficient workflow increase administrative time, waste retainer hours unnecessarily, and prevent Service Provider from working to optimum standards and servicing other clients in a fair and equal manner. Service Provider reserves the right to impose late fees and/or increase hourly rates of Clients who fall into this category.

18. Property. All billings (including invoices, statements and estimates), reports and time accounting are provided as a convenience to Client at the discretion of Service Provider and remain the property of Service Provider. Periodic audits may reveal previous billing discrepancies or errors, and Service Provider is entitled to void or recall incorrect invoices and statements and bill for any monies due on account.

19. Accuracy of Information. Client agrees that the accuracy of information supplied to Service Provider is the sole responsibility of Client, and that Service Provider is not responsible and shall not be held liable for the results of services performed on the basis of inaccurate, incomplete or untruthful information furnished by Client.

20. Indemnification/Release of Liability. Client shall indemnify, defend and save Service Provider harmless from any and all suits, costs, damages or proceedings, including, but not limited to, Service Provider’s services, pertaining to any and all litigation in which the Client is a party. Client shall pay all expenses incurred by Service Provider including, but not limited to, all attorneys’ fees, costs and expenses incurred should Service Provider be named a party in any litigation to which Client is a party. Client shall further indemnify and hold harmless Service Provider and its agents, officers and directors from liability for any and all claims, costs, suits and damages, including attorneys’ fees arising directly or indirectly out of or in connection with the operation of Client, and from liability for injuries suffered by any person relating to the Client. This agreement to indemnify Service Provider is not limited to any acts or omissions, statements or representations made by Service Provider in the performance and/or nonperformance of Service Provider’s duties hereunder and relating to all contractual liabilities, which may be alleged or imposed against Service Provider. All reasonable precautions will be taken to safeguard the property entrusted to Service Provider. In the absence of negligence, however, Service Provider will not be held liable for loss, destruction or damage of any kind resulting from items which are lost or delayed in transit, whether such transit is electronic, fax, mail or otherwise, nor for unauthorized use by others of such property. Service Provider will not be held liable for any incidental, consequential or indirect damages, including without limitation damages for loss of profits, business interruption, loss of information, plagiarism, etc. Service Provider will not be held liable for typographical omissions or errors.

21. Termination. Retainers may be terminated by either party for any reason with 1 (one) day advance written notice of intent to cancel. All current time and fees accrued at that time will be immediately due.

22. Expiration & Modification. This Agreement shall remain in effect until such time as one or the other Party provides notice of cancellation. This Agreement may be modified or amended as necessary after negotiations initiated by either Party.

23. Additional Provisions. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed according to the laws of the State of California, and shall not be construed against the drafter. The parties agree that any suit or action relating to this Agreement shall be instituted and commenced exclusively in the federal or state courts in Concord,CA, and the parties hereby waive the right to change such venue and hereby consent to the jurisdiction of such courts. Any liability on the part of Service Provider as determined by a court of law will be limited to an amount not to exceed one month’s retainer. If Service Provider must bring suit or other action to collect on unpaid invoices or seek remedy of any other breach of contract, Service Provider shall be entitled to an award of costs, reasonable attorney’s fees and interest at the maximum rate permitted by law in addition to any other relief awarded.

The terms and conditions of this Agreement may be modified or amended as necessary only by written instrument signed by both parties. By submitting this Retainer Agreement, I indicate that I understand, agree to and accept the terms and conditions as contained herein.