Payment & Billing Policy

SECTION 01Fees and Pricing

North Averstone offers several pricing structures depending on the nature of the work. The structure that applies to you is set out in your Engagement Document. Common arrangements include:

• Fixed-fee projects, where a defined scope of work is delivered for an agreed total price.
• Hourly or session-based fees, where you are billed for time spent in consulting sessions and preparation at an agreed rate.
• Monthly retainers, where you reserve a set amount of advisory time and access each month for a recurring fee.
• Package rates, where a bundle of sessions or deliverables is offered at a set price.

Quoted fees cover the services described in the Engagement Document. Work that falls outside that scope, including additional sessions, extra revision rounds, or new deliverables, is quoted separately and confirmed before it begins.

SECTION 02Retainers and Deposits

For many engagements we ask for a deposit or first payment before work begins. This secures your place in our schedule and confirms the engagement. For ongoing advisory relationships, a monthly retainer is billed in advance and reserves the agreed amount of our time for that month.

Unless your Engagement Document states otherwise, retainer time is allocated to a specific month and does not automatically roll over into the following month. If you consistently need more time than your retainer provides, we will discuss adjusting the arrangement. Deposits are applied against the total fees for the engagement and are treated in line with our Cancellation & Refund Policy at /pages/cancellation-refund-policy.

SECTION 03Invoicing

We issue invoices electronically to the billing contact you provide. Depending on the arrangement, invoices may be issued:

• Up front for fixed-fee projects or as an initial deposit.
• At milestones tied to the delivery of specific stages of work.
• Monthly in advance for retainers, or monthly in arrears for hourly and session-based work.

Each invoice identifies the services covered, the amount due, any applicable taxes, and the due date. Please review invoices promptly and let us know within a reasonable period if you believe there is an error, so we can address it quickly.

SECTION 04Payment Terms and Due Dates

Unless a different period is stated in your Engagement Document or on the invoice, payment is due within fourteen (14) days of the invoice date. For retainers and deposits, payment is due before the corresponding services are provided. Timely payment allows us to keep your engagement moving without interruption.

SECTION 05Accepted Payment Methods

Because we operate entirely online, we accept electronic payment methods that are convenient and secure. These typically include major credit and debit cards and electronic bank transfers processed through reputable third-party payment providers. The specific options available to you appear on your invoice.

SECTION 06Late Payment

If an invoice is not paid by its due date, we may take one or more of the following steps, consistent with your Engagement Document and applicable law:

• Send a reminder and ask that the balance be settled promptly.
• Pause the engagement, including scheduled sessions and delivery of pending work, until the account is current.
• Apply a reasonable late fee or interest on overdue amounts where permitted and where stated in the Engagement Document.
• Withhold deliverables that have not yet been paid for, since ownership and licenses transfer upon full payment.

We would always rather resolve a payment issue through conversation than through interruption. If you anticipate difficulty paying on time, contact us and we will try to find a workable arrangement.

SECTION 07Taxes

Fees are stated exclusive of any applicable taxes unless the invoice says otherwise. Where we are required to collect sales tax, value-added tax, or similar charges, they will be added to your invoice and are your responsibility. You are also responsible for any taxes arising from your own use of our services. If you are exempt from a particular tax, please provide valid documentation before we invoice.

SECTION 08Expenses

Because our services are delivered remotely, most engagements involve no travel or out-of-pocket expenses. If a specific engagement requires pre-approved expenses, such as a specialized tool or a third-party report obtained on your behalf, they will be identified in advance and billed at cost. We will not incur reimbursable expenses without your prior agreement.

SECTION 09Currency

Invoices are issued in the currency stated in your Engagement Document. If you pay from an account in a different currency, your bank or card issuer may apply conversion rates and fees that are outside our control and are your responsibility.

SECTION 10Price Changes

The fees agreed in an Engagement Document apply for that engagement. For ongoing retainer relationships, we may adjust rates from time to time, and we will give reasonable advance notice before a change takes effect so you can decide whether to continue. Price changes never apply retroactively to work already invoiced.

SECTION 11Disputes and Chargebacks

If you have a concern about a charge, please contact us first so we can review it and resolve it directly. Most billing questions are simple to clear up. Initiating a chargeback without contacting us can suspend your engagement while the matter is investigated. We keep detailed engagement records and will work in good faith to reach a fair resolution of any genuine billing dispute.

SECTION 12Refunds and Cancellations

Refund eligibility, rescheduling, and cancellation windows are governed by our Cancellation & Refund Policy, available at /pages/cancellation-refund-policy. Please review that policy together with this one so that you understand how payments are treated if an engagement changes or ends.

SECTION 13Changes to This Policy

We may update this Payment & Billing Policy to reflect changes in our practices or the law. The current version is identified by the "Last updated" date at the top of this page, and for active engagements we will communicate material changes to your billing contact. Continuing an engagement after an update means you accept the revised policy for services provided afterward.