Refund Policy
How project payments, cancellations, and refund eligibility are handled.
At ClearKnot, we aim to keep project payments fair, transparent, and aligned with the work being completed.
Our standard project payment structure is:
40% upfront to confirm the project and begin work
30% during the project at the agreed progress stage or milestone
30% at project closure before final completion, handover, or delivery
Each payment reflects work already scheduled, completed, or committed to the project.
1. Standard Milestone Payments
Under the standard 40% / 30% / 30% payment structure, payments already made are generally non-refundable once the corresponding project stage has started or been completed.
2. 40% Initial Payment
The initial 40% payment confirms the engagement and allows ClearKnot to begin work.
This payment covers activities that may include:
Project onboarding
Discovery and consultation
Research and planning
Process or system analysis
Resource allocation
Project setup
Strategy and architecture
Initial implementation work
Once work has commenced, the initial 40% payment is non-refundable.
3. 30% Progress Payment
The second 30% payment becomes due at the agreed project milestone or progress stage.
Once this stage of work has started or the relevant milestone has been delivered, this payment is non-refundable.
4. Final 30% Payment
The remaining 30% is due at project closure, before the final handover, deployment, transfer, or completion of the agreed deliverables.
Once the project has been completed and the final payment has been made, all payments are considered final and non-refundable, except where otherwise stated in this policy.
5. Full Upfront Payment
Some clients may choose to pay 100% of the project value upfront instead of following the standard milestone payment structure.
If a client who has paid the full project amount upfront chooses to cancel the project before completion, ClearKnot may provide a refund of up to 50% of the total amount paid, provided that the project has not progressed beyond 50% of the agreed scope.
The remaining 50% is retained to cover work already performed, project preparation, planning, consultation, research, resource allocation, implementation, and time reserved for the engagement.
If more than 50% of the agreed project scope has already been completed, implemented, or delivered, the payment will be considered non-refundable.
6. Completed Work
Once an agreed milestone, consultation, audit, system, workflow, automation, implementation, document, strategy, or other deliverable has been completed or delivered, the payment associated with that work is non-refundable.
7. Client-Initiated Cancellation
If a client chooses to cancel a project, they should notify ClearKnot in writing as soon as possible.
Any refund eligibility will be assessed based on:
The payment structure used
The stage of the project
Work already completed
Resources already committed
Deliverables already provided
Third-party expenses already incurred
ClearKnot will not be required to refund payments related to completed work or stages that have already commenced.
8. Third-Party Costs
Payments made toward third-party services are non-refundable unless the relevant third-party provider issues a refund.
These costs may include:
Software subscriptions
Licenses
Hosting
Domains
Paid integrations
Contractors
Advertising expenses
Platform fees
Other external services required for the project
9. Project Cancellation by ClearKnot
If ClearKnot is unable to continue a project for reasons within its control, any refund will be calculated based on the amount of work already completed and the value of undelivered services.
Where appropriate, ClearKnot may refund an amount greater than the standard refund described above.
10. Refund Processing
Any approved refund will normally be returned through the original payment method.
Payment gateway fees, banking fees, transaction charges, currency conversion fees, and other third-party processing costs may be deducted where applicable.
11. Payment Disputes and Chargebacks
Clients are encouraged to contact ClearKnot directly before initiating a chargeback or payment dispute.
Where services have already been performed, implemented, or delivered, ClearKnot reserves the right to provide supporting documentation to the relevant payment provider demonstrating the work completed.
12. Changes to This Policy
ClearKnot may update this Refund Policy from time to time.
The policy in effect at the time a project is confirmed will generally apply to that engagement unless otherwise agreed in writing.
13. Contact
For cancellation or refund requests, clients should contact ClearKnot in writing and provide their name, project details, payment information, and reason for cancellation.
ClearKnot
Business Operations & Systems
Questions about this page? Email info@clearknots.us.