RATES
Consultation:
$450 flat rate – Initial consult for new clients or new projects. This fee includes a briefing meeting with the client/team and a follow-up proposal that states the project’s objectives, along with a) budget, b) timeline, c) next steps, d) creative direction, e) suggested tactics and f) deliverables for project planning purposes. Often clients will see this fee rolled into their project estimate. For clients who choose to not pursue the project after the initial consultation, or decide to place the project on-hold indefinitely, this initial consultation fee still applies.
A $35/hr. hourly rate to pick my brain and ask questions about strategy, production, suppliers, and/or timelines for a specific project so you can prepare an informed scope of work for quotations. Professional development, coaching, or tutoring is also billed at this rate.
Creative Direction:
$100/hr. for strategic direction, creative development, project management, art direction, graphic design, illustration, online and pre-press production, client service, client/team/supplier project meetings.
Business Development:
$50/hr. for business development, proposals, pitching, project travel exceeding 100km from Halifax, and retainer agreements of 40hrs+/month.
Plus HST. Additional fees apply – see details.
TERMS
Quotes will not be provided to projects moving forward without a schedule (timeline or deadline). Timesheets will be used to log time against the project and invoices will be sent on the 15th and 30th of the month until the project is complete.
First 50% of estimate/quote invoiced after first creative is presented.
Final 50% billed after the end-date that was provided. Final invoice will also include any add-ons or additional costs/charges (see Conditions)
Payment is due within 30 days. If your accounts payable department works to 60- or 90-day terms, a flat rate has been added to the estimate that reflects your organization’s need for an extension. (60-day: $75; 90-day: $100)
Payment methods are a) cheques made out to Christine Bennett Design, b) e-transfers or PayPal to inspired@ns.sympatico.ca. If you require credit card payment, please make that clear in the beginning – addition administration charges to cover processing fees will be added to your estimate.
NOTE: If you’ve forgotten or over-looked your last invoice which resulted in delayed payment, a one-time $100 flat rate will be added to your next estimate to reflect your organization’s recent need for a payment extension.
CONDITIONS
1. Rush Jobs:
If your project was estimated as fast-moving or a rush job, additional fees may apply if the project extends 10 days beyond the timeframe stated on the estimate.
2. Software Requirements:
All designs are produced in the Adobe space and proofs are provided in Acrobat. Any work or proofing required in Microsoft, or other digital platforms, will be subject to a $75 flat rate. This covers the learning curve and/or trouble-shooting designs in your preferred software/technology. If software or app purchase is required, the purchase price, plus a 17% mark-up will be invoiced.
3. File Transfer:
If file transfer (i.e.: getting your photos, text, data, etc. from you to me) involves 1) coaching, tech-support, and/or trouble-shooting your organization’s data transfer protocols (FTP, secure email, other), or how to use a cloud transfer provider like DropBox or WeTransfer, or 2) includes courier pick-up or delivery, an additional $75 flat rate tech-support fee and/or a variable courier and memory stick charge may apply.
4. Hard Costs:
Purchase of creative assets (stock photography, fonts, apps, software, graphic elements like icons or infographics) will be billed extra and will only be estimate if the anticipated cost exceeds $150. These purchases are subject to a 17% mark-up.
5. Sub-contracting:
Purchase of printing or other services (writing, editing, Photoshop, illustration, strategy, etc.) will be billed as follows. Flat rate finder’s fee of $75 per subcontractor, plus 17% mark-up on the subcontractor’s estimate. If you plan to pay the subcontractor directly, my mark-up will not apply. Purchases in USD will be charged using the published Bank of Canada rate from the day of the transaction. Hard costs $1,500 and greater will be invoiced separately, when the subcontractor is hired.
6. Projects On-Hold:
If a project is put on hold, please advise so workflow can be adjusted. Any project in a holding pattern longer than 2 weeks will be closed and invoiced. Remaining work will be re-estimated before it’s restarted.
7. Summer Slow-Down:
Projects from June 15 to August 15 will require a 50% deposit, with 25% billed after 3 weeks. The balance will be invoiced when the project is complete. (With varying summer vacation schedules in-mind, the Projects On-Hold condition does not apply.)
8. Meetings + Mock-ups:
All projects include an hour-long briefing meeting. Additional charges may apply for meeting and meeting materials (hard copy proofs, etc.). Parking and tolls may also be billed extra.
9. Retrieve from Archive + Resend:
$75 flat rate will be charged for every file (ex: logo, PDF or email message) pulled from archive and resent to you.
10. Open the File + Update:
$75 flat rate will be charge for adjustments to any artwork after FINAL ART has been approved and final PDFs provided.
11. Multi-level Approvals with Stakeholders: When multiple FINAL adjustments are required – i.e.: feedback and approvals within collaborative teams (ex: team, division, department, then provincial) rates may apply at every approval level to cover receiving feedback and readjusting artwork to gain each level’s approval. These charges are often very modest – see Open + Update condition.
12. Strategy + Planning + Wayfinding:
Creative strategy and/or project management may be billed at a flat rate of $200. When possible, this service is included in the project estimate. Occasionally, clients think their ask is a “just” and/or “only” request when they’re scoping the creative work ahead and underestimate a few moving parts that should have been considered during the initial creative brief. Or, creative direction/advice is provided, but the implementation is done internally or with another creative partner. Your project may be subject to this fee.
13. Illustration + Photography:
If custom illustration, photography and/or Photoshop effects becomes a part of your chosen concept, addition fees may apply.
An estimate will be provided before any costs are incurred.
14. Stock Searches:
If stock photography is required to augment existing photography a search start at $200 and will be capped at $500, if several images are required.
15. Project Minimum:
$75 project minimum for quick things like Retrieve + Resent, or Open + Update, or any other single step task that’s a single, simple ask. Projects smaller than $400 (4hrs) will not receive a written estimate.
16. Point of Contact:
A single point of contact is preferred on creative projects (i.e.: one client). Client service is included in the estimate; however, incremental charges may apply if: the team providing direction/comments/feedback is larger than estimated; provide conflicting direction; and require additional client service time to coordinate and implement feedback/revisions. $100 flat rate will be charged for each additional *client* providing direction/feedback.
17. Archived Artwork:
All client work will be automatically stored in back-up archives. These files are your property, I provide storage and maintenance. If, in the future, you require a copy of your working project files, a gather/organize/transfer rate may apply based on the size of the combined files. If I provide your archived artwork via a Dropbox link, that link will stay live for 2 weeks so you can download the zipped folder. If you require the files copied to an exterior drive, you can supply one, or one will be purchased for you, with 17% mark-up.
POLICY
Environment Policy:
Christine Bennett Design is a marketing/communications business operating from Nova Scotia, Canada. As a responsible business, I am committed to protecting human health, natural resources, and the environment through sound business practices and waste management operations. I will regularly communicate with and support the environmental needs of our neighbours in the communities in which we do business.
Consultation:
$450 flat rate – Initial consult for new clients or new projects. This fee includes a briefing meeting with the client/team and a follow-up proposal that states the project’s objectives, along with a) budget, b) timeline, c) next steps, d) creative direction, e) suggested tactics and f) deliverables for project planning purposes. Often clients will see this fee rolled into their project estimate. For clients who choose to not pursue the project after the initial consultation, or decide to place the project on-hold indefinitely, this initial consultation fee still applies.
A $35/hr. hourly rate to pick my brain and ask questions about strategy, production, suppliers, and/or timelines for a specific project so you can prepare an informed scope of work for quotations. Professional development, coaching, or tutoring is also billed at this rate.
Creative Direction:
$100/hr. for strategic direction, creative development, project management, art direction, graphic design, illustration, online and pre-press production, client service, client/team/supplier project meetings.
Business Development:
$50/hr. for business development, proposals, pitching, project travel exceeding 100km from Halifax, and retainer agreements of 40hrs+/month.
Plus HST. Additional fees apply – see details.
TERMS
Quotes will not be provided to projects moving forward without a schedule (timeline or deadline). Timesheets will be used to log time against the project and invoices will be sent on the 15th and 30th of the month until the project is complete.
First 50% of estimate/quote invoiced after first creative is presented.
Final 50% billed after the end-date that was provided. Final invoice will also include any add-ons or additional costs/charges (see Conditions)
Payment is due within 30 days. If your accounts payable department works to 60- or 90-day terms, a flat rate has been added to the estimate that reflects your organization’s need for an extension. (60-day: $75; 90-day: $100)
Payment methods are a) cheques made out to Christine Bennett Design, b) e-transfers or PayPal to inspired@ns.sympatico.ca. If you require credit card payment, please make that clear in the beginning – addition administration charges to cover processing fees will be added to your estimate.
NOTE: If you’ve forgotten or over-looked your last invoice which resulted in delayed payment, a one-time $100 flat rate will be added to your next estimate to reflect your organization’s recent need for a payment extension.
CONDITIONS
1. Rush Jobs:
If your project was estimated as fast-moving or a rush job, additional fees may apply if the project extends 10 days beyond the timeframe stated on the estimate.
2. Software Requirements:
All designs are produced in the Adobe space and proofs are provided in Acrobat. Any work or proofing required in Microsoft, or other digital platforms, will be subject to a $75 flat rate. This covers the learning curve and/or trouble-shooting designs in your preferred software/technology. If software or app purchase is required, the purchase price, plus a 17% mark-up will be invoiced.
3. File Transfer:
If file transfer (i.e.: getting your photos, text, data, etc. from you to me) involves 1) coaching, tech-support, and/or trouble-shooting your organization’s data transfer protocols (FTP, secure email, other), or how to use a cloud transfer provider like DropBox or WeTransfer, or 2) includes courier pick-up or delivery, an additional $75 flat rate tech-support fee and/or a variable courier and memory stick charge may apply.
4. Hard Costs:
Purchase of creative assets (stock photography, fonts, apps, software, graphic elements like icons or infographics) will be billed extra and will only be estimate if the anticipated cost exceeds $150. These purchases are subject to a 17% mark-up.
5. Sub-contracting:
Purchase of printing or other services (writing, editing, Photoshop, illustration, strategy, etc.) will be billed as follows. Flat rate finder’s fee of $75 per subcontractor, plus 17% mark-up on the subcontractor’s estimate. If you plan to pay the subcontractor directly, my mark-up will not apply. Purchases in USD will be charged using the published Bank of Canada rate from the day of the transaction. Hard costs $1,500 and greater will be invoiced separately, when the subcontractor is hired.
6. Projects On-Hold:
If a project is put on hold, please advise so workflow can be adjusted. Any project in a holding pattern longer than 2 weeks will be closed and invoiced. Remaining work will be re-estimated before it’s restarted.
7. Summer Slow-Down:
Projects from June 15 to August 15 will require a 50% deposit, with 25% billed after 3 weeks. The balance will be invoiced when the project is complete. (With varying summer vacation schedules in-mind, the Projects On-Hold condition does not apply.)
8. Meetings + Mock-ups:
All projects include an hour-long briefing meeting. Additional charges may apply for meeting and meeting materials (hard copy proofs, etc.). Parking and tolls may also be billed extra.
9. Retrieve from Archive + Resend:
$75 flat rate will be charged for every file (ex: logo, PDF or email message) pulled from archive and resent to you.
10. Open the File + Update:
$75 flat rate will be charge for adjustments to any artwork after FINAL ART has been approved and final PDFs provided.
11. Multi-level Approvals with Stakeholders: When multiple FINAL adjustments are required – i.e.: feedback and approvals within collaborative teams (ex: team, division, department, then provincial) rates may apply at every approval level to cover receiving feedback and readjusting artwork to gain each level’s approval. These charges are often very modest – see Open + Update condition.
12. Strategy + Planning + Wayfinding:
Creative strategy and/or project management may be billed at a flat rate of $200. When possible, this service is included in the project estimate. Occasionally, clients think their ask is a “just” and/or “only” request when they’re scoping the creative work ahead and underestimate a few moving parts that should have been considered during the initial creative brief. Or, creative direction/advice is provided, but the implementation is done internally or with another creative partner. Your project may be subject to this fee.
13. Illustration + Photography:
If custom illustration, photography and/or Photoshop effects becomes a part of your chosen concept, addition fees may apply.
An estimate will be provided before any costs are incurred.
14. Stock Searches:
If stock photography is required to augment existing photography a search start at $200 and will be capped at $500, if several images are required.
15. Project Minimum:
$75 project minimum for quick things like Retrieve + Resent, or Open + Update, or any other single step task that’s a single, simple ask. Projects smaller than $400 (4hrs) will not receive a written estimate.
16. Point of Contact:
A single point of contact is preferred on creative projects (i.e.: one client). Client service is included in the estimate; however, incremental charges may apply if: the team providing direction/comments/feedback is larger than estimated; provide conflicting direction; and require additional client service time to coordinate and implement feedback/revisions. $100 flat rate will be charged for each additional *client* providing direction/feedback.
17. Archived Artwork:
All client work will be automatically stored in back-up archives. These files are your property, I provide storage and maintenance. If, in the future, you require a copy of your working project files, a gather/organize/transfer rate may apply based on the size of the combined files. If I provide your archived artwork via a Dropbox link, that link will stay live for 2 weeks so you can download the zipped folder. If you require the files copied to an exterior drive, you can supply one, or one will be purchased for you, with 17% mark-up.
POLICY
Environment Policy:
Christine Bennett Design is a marketing/communications business operating from Nova Scotia, Canada. As a responsible business, I am committed to protecting human health, natural resources, and the environment through sound business practices and waste management operations. I will regularly communicate with and support the environmental needs of our neighbours in the communities in which we do business.