Digital Align
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Client guide

Client guide

Agencies and direct hires use different models. Start with the summaries below, then step through the full terms if you’re ready to engage.

How I work with agencies

I prefer a monthly retainer or milestone-based work—whichever fits how your studio runs the account. We align on rhythm and scope up front; the signed contract covers the rest.

  • Retainer when you want standing capacity and a regular planning cadence
  • Milestones when a bounded project or phase is the better fit
  • Sprint-style ticket planning and a deployment cadence we agree on
  • Billing, notice, and liability in your signed agreement—not spelled out on this page

How I work with direct clients

A plain-English guide for clients hiring me directly—not through an agency

  • Free 30-minute intro call, then paid discovery for quotes and scope
  • Milestones with acceptance criteria agreed upfront
  • Scope locked in the SOW—changes need a signed change order
  • Discovery fee credited if you hire within 14 days
  • Code ownership transfers per milestone once that milestone is paid; liability capped at fees paid

Step-by-step breakdown

Plain-English guides for agencies and for direct hires. These pages are not legal contracts—signed agreements, SOWs, and change orders govern the work.

How I work with direct clients

A plain-English guide for clients hiring me directly—not through an agency

This page explains how I work in simple language. It is not a legal contract and not legal advice. It does not create a contract on its own. The actual agreement will be a separate written contract, Statement of Work (SOW), and any change orders we sign. If anything here conflicts with the signed contract, the signed contract wins.

Step 1 of 12

The short version

The essentials before we sign anything.

  • One free 30-minute intro call to start
  • Detailed quote, scope, and plan come from paid discovery
  • Discovery fee credited back if you hire me within 14 days
  • Work breaks into small milestones with agreed acceptance criteria
  • Scope is locked—changes need a signed change order
  • Risks and Assumptions Schedule so we both know what can go wrong
  • Missed milestone → postmortem, then adjust or stop
  • Ownership of each milestone’s code transfers when that milestone is paid—you can use unpaid milestones under licence until then
  • My liability is capped at what you paid me for the project
  • This page is a plain-English guide, not a legal document.
  • It does not create a contract and is not legal advice.
  • Have your own lawyer review any contract before you sign.