Clear terms for clear delivery

Clear Oak Studio is a trade name (DBA) of SteelCurtain LLC. In these Terms of Service, "Clear Oak Studio," "we," "our," and "us" refer to SteelCurtain LLC doing business as Clear Oak Studio.

By using this website, requesting a preview, booking time, or purchasing services, you agree to these Terms of Service.

If you do not agree, do not use the site or purchase services.

We provide website strategy, design, development, launch support, SEO-focused implementation, optional support plans, and optional custom add-ons.

Project scope and deliverables are defined by the package and any written scope agreement.

Preview work is provided at no upfront charge under our risk-free model.

If you do not approve the preview for launch, no main-site build fee is due.

Unpurchased preview assets, concepts, and code remain our property.

Each package has a defined scope. Work outside scope may require a change order, additional timeline, and additional fees.

Revisions are handled according to the selected package and scoping agreement.

Client delays in feedback, approvals, or required materials can shift delivery dates.

Typical delivery windows are: Preview in 2-3 days, Launch Site up to 1 week, Growth Site up to 2 weeks, and Authority Site up to 3 weeks after approval and intake completeness.

Custom projects are scheduled and estimated during scoping.

Pricing is fixed by package unless both parties agree in writing to scope changes.

Invoices are due according to agreed terms. We may pause work for overdue balances.

Taxes, payment processor fees, and pass-through third-party costs may apply when required.

We offer a subscription model where website build cost is included at $0 upfront with a minimum term commitment.

Subscription pricing includes Care (hosting + security updates) by default. Care Plus is an optional upgrade.

After minimum term fulfillment, ownership of delivered site IP/code transfers to the client under Section 11.

After term completion, clients may renew at agreed renewal terms or switch to month-to-month at regular pricing.

For one-time builds, support plans (Care and Care Plus) are optional and separate unless explicitly bundled in writing.

For subscription builds, Care is included and Care Plus remains optional as an upgrade.

Add-ons are scoped and billed separately as listed or as custom quoted.

During the no-charge preview period, no refund applies because no main-site build fee is charged.

After preview approval and project commitment, main build fees are non-refundable because design/development capacity and delivery resources are committed.

For month-to-month services, cancellations stop future billing, but charges for the active billing period are non-refundable.

Most billing periods are 30 days unless a longer contractual term applies.

Upon full payment of applicable fees and subject to these Terms, ownership of the delivered custom production website work transfers to the client.

Any third-party software, licensed assets, or platform dependencies remain subject to their own license terms.

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, we may reuse general know-how, non-confidential techniques, and non-client-identifying implementation patterns.

You represent that you have rights to all text, logos, images, and other materials you provide.

You grant us a limited license to use your provided materials solely to perform contracted services.

Your domain can remain at your registrar of choice, provided DNS access is available for launch and operations.

If we host or configure infrastructure, third-party provider terms and availability apply.

Advanced infrastructure services may include pass-through provider costs disclosed before activation.

We include baseline production security practices as part of standard delivery.

No internet-connected system can be guaranteed 100% secure or uninterrupted.

Ongoing maintenance and updates are client responsibility unless covered by an active support plan.

You may not use our services for unlawful activity, abusive traffic patterns, malicious content, or any use that violates applicable law or third-party provider terms.

We may suspend or terminate services for violations, fraud, or abuse.

Services are provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis, except as expressly stated in a signed written agreement.

We do not guarantee specific rankings, lead volume, conversion rates, uninterrupted service, or outcomes dependent on third-party platforms.

To the maximum extent permitted by law, SteelCurtain LLC (DBA Clear Oak Studio) is not liable for indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages.

Our aggregate liability for any claim related to services is limited to the amount paid by you to us for the specific service giving rise to the claim during the 12 months preceding that claim.

You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless SteelCurtain LLC and its representatives from claims, losses, liabilities, and costs arising from your content, your instructions, your misuse of services, or your violation of law or third-party rights.

Each party agrees to protect the other party's non-public confidential information and use it only for service delivery and business operations.

We do not sell client or visitor personal information for any reason.

We only publish client reference work (including logos, screenshots, or project mentions in our Clients/portfolio section) after receiving explicit permission from that client.

Read our full Privacy Policy

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Connecticut, without regard to conflict-of-law rules.

Any dispute shall be brought in the state or federal courts located in Connecticut, unless otherwise required by law.

We may update these Terms from time to time by posting a revised version on this page.

Continued use of the site or services after updates are posted constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.

Questions about these Terms can be sent to [email protected].