Build & Retainer Terms

Last updated: 2026-10-24

These terms are an agreement with Kovus (Kovus Digital), ABN 16 729 285 212, operated by Josh Waller, Perth WA, 0423 155 979.

One-time site build

The build is a fixed-scope productised service quoted up-front. You don't pay anything until you're happy with your website: the full build fee is invoiced once you've approved the finished site, before it goes live, unless your accepted quote sets out a payment plan. The build includes the pages, integrations and content work listed in your accepted quote, with revisions until you're happy with it.

Monthly maintenance retainer

The maintenance retainer is month-to-month and begins the day the site goes live. It renews monthly until cancelled. There is no minimum term. The A$197 plan starts at A$197 a month, and a bigger monthly scope is priced in the accepted quote.

Optional monthly website and SEO plan with build included

Where your accepted quote and Stripe checkout offer the A$238.67 a month plan, it includes your website build, hosting, ongoing SEO and the website updates agreed in your quote. You don't pay anything until you're happy with your website: the first A$238.67 is charged in advance once you've approved the finished site, then automatically each month until cancelled. There is no separate A$500 upfront build fee. Your checkout shows the total before you pay.

The monthly rate stays at A$238.67 after the first 12 months and does not automatically drop to A$197. This plan is month-to-month with no minimum term, and the monthly cancellation terms below apply. You keep ownership of your website, content, domain and source code.

Optional annual website and SEO plan

Where your accepted quote and Stripe checkout offer the A$2,000 annual plan, it covers 12 months of website hosting, ongoing SEO and the website updates agreed in your quote. You don't pay anything until you're happy with your website: the first A$2,000 is charged in advance once you've approved the finished site, then automatically every 12 months until you cancel renewal. This annual plan has no separate A$500 build fee. Your checkout shows the total before you pay.

The annual plan is optional. The monthly plan keeps its month-to-month terms. Choosing annual billing does not transfer ownership of your website, content, domain or source code to Kovus.

Websites Kovus did not build

The A$197 plan is also available for a website Kovus did not build, on the same pricing. That site stays on its current platform and host, and hosting, security, backups and uptime remain with that host. The plan covers ongoing SEO, Google Business Profile management and the monthly report. On-site SEO changes are made in your platform using editor or admin access you provide, and you keep ownership of every account. If the platform prevents a change the work needs, the accepted quote says so. The retainer begins on the start date in the accepted quote, then renews monthly on the same terms as any other retainer.

Cancellation

For the monthly retainer, you may cancel at any time by emailing josh@kovus.dev. Cancellation takes effect at the end of your current paid month. The website itself stays yours indefinitely.

For the annual plan, you may cancel renewal at any time by emailing josh@kovus.dev before your next annual payment is due. We will confirm the cancellation and stop the next annual charge. Your services continue until the end of the 12-month period you have already paid for, unless you ask us to stop them earlier. There is no cancellation fee, and your website stays yours.

Ownership of deliverables

You own your website source code, content, domain, and Google Business Profile from the day the build launches. On request, we hand over the code repo. Ongoing services (hosting, security, backups and edits, plus SEO, Google Business Profile management and reporting on the A$197 plan) cease at the end of your paid service period, or earlier if you ask us to stop them. The static website remains yours and can be re-hosted elsewhere.

Service Level

We usually respond to client communications within 1 hour during AWST business hours (Mon-Fri, 8am-6pm). Outside these hours, response by next business day morning. Clients on a monthly plan whose site Kovus hosts get a guaranteed fix within 24 hours of requesting one, including outside business hours.

Refunds

You only pay the build fee once you've approved the finished site, so it is not refunded after that. Retainer fees for the current billing period are non-refundable. Cancellation simply stops future billing.

For the annual plan, cancelling renewal does not by itself refund the unused part of the current paid year. These refund terms do not limit any right to a remedy, refund or cancellation under Australian Consumer Law.

Limitation of liability

Kovus's total liability for any matter arising from this agreement is capped at the total fees paid by you in the preceding three months. Nothing in these terms excludes any liability that cannot be lawfully excluded under Australian Consumer Law.

Governing law

These terms are governed by the laws of Western Australia.