Terms of Service

1. Acceptance of Terms

By engaging DadOfTheClan Consulting Group, LLC for any service, accessing any platform operated by DadOfTheClan, submitting a contact or inquiry form, or executing a service agreement, you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service in their entirety.

If you are entering into these terms on behalf of a business or organization, you represent and warrant that you have the authority to bind that entity to these terms. References to "you" and "client" throughout this document refer to the individual or entity engaging our services.

These Terms of Service apply to all service engagements unless superseded by a separately executed written agreement between DadOfTheClan and the client, in which case the executed agreement governs. Where a signed service agreement is silent on a matter addressed in these terms, these terms apply.

2. Services and Engagement Models

DadOfTheClan provides technology consulting and managed services under two primary engagement models. The terms applicable to each are described below. All engagements are subject to availability and at the discretion of DadOfTheClan to accept.

2.1 Managed Services

Managed services engagements operate on a month-to-month basis. No long-term contract is required. Services include ongoing infrastructure monitoring, security management, system maintenance, remote support, and strategic guidance as defined in the applicable service agreement. The monthly service fee covers all remote monitoring, offsite support, and overhead costs. On-site hourly rates apply only when a technician is physically present at the client location performing hands-on work. No emergency fees, after-hours surcharges, or crisis pricing apply under any circumstance.

2.2 Project-Based Engagements

Project-based engagements are fixed-scope, fixed-price arrangements. Scope, deliverables, timeline, and total cost are agreed upon in writing prior to commencement of work. Work outside the agreed scope requires a written change order executed by both parties before additional work begins. No out-of-scope work will be billed without prior written authorization. All project deliverables are documented and handed off completely upon project close.

2.3 Emergency Response

Emergency response engagements — including ransomware recovery, data loss remediation, system failure response, and vendor abandonment situations — are governed by terms agreed upon at the time of engagement. Emergency response for active managed services clients is covered under the applicable service agreement with no additional crisis pricing. Emergency response for non-clients is scoped and priced at the time of initial contact.

3. Fees, Billing, and Payment

3.1 Managed Services Billing

The monthly service fee is billed at the beginning of each service month. On-site hourly charges, where applicable, are billed monthly in arrears based on actual hours logged. Invoices are due within fifteen days of issuance unless otherwise specified in the applicable service agreement. Accounts more than thirty days past due may result in suspension of non-critical services pending resolution.

3.2 Project Billing

Project-based engagements are billed according to the payment schedule established in the applicable project agreement. A deposit may be required prior to commencement of work, the amount and timing of which will be specified in the project agreement. Final payment is due upon delivery of agreed deliverables unless otherwise specified.

3.3 Pricing Transparency

Current standard rates are published at dadoftheclan.com/portfolio/services/managed. Rates are reviewed periodically. Active clients will receive no less than thirty days written notice prior to any rate adjustment. Rate adjustments do not apply retroactively to project agreements already in execution.

4. Client Responsibilities

Effective delivery of services depends on reasonable cooperation and access. The client agrees to the following responsibilities:

5. Platform Use and Acceptable Conduct

Access to DadOfTheClan platforms — including the client portal, identity services, and any associated applications — is granted for lawful, authorized purposes only. The following conduct is prohibited:

DadOfTheClan reserves the right to suspend or terminate platform access for conduct that violates these terms, threatens platform integrity, or poses a risk to other clients or infrastructure, without prior notice where immediate action is required for security purposes.

6. Confidentiality

Both parties acknowledge that in the course of an engagement, each may receive access to confidential information belonging to the other. Confidential information means any non-public information disclosed in connection with the engagement that is identified as confidential or that a reasonable person would understand to be confidential given the nature of the information and circumstances of disclosure.

Each party agrees to hold the other's confidential information in strict confidence, to use it only for the purposes of the engagement, and not to disclose it to any third party without prior written consent except as required by law or as necessary to perform the services using authorized personnel or infrastructure providers bound by equivalent obligations.

These confidentiality obligations survive termination of the engagement for a period of three years, or indefinitely with respect to information that constitutes a trade secret under applicable law.

7. Intellectual Property

7.1 Client-Owned Deliverables

For project-based engagements, upon receipt of full payment, the client receives ownership of all custom deliverables created specifically for that engagement — including custom code, configurations, documentation, and designs — except as noted in Section 7.2. This transfer of ownership is limited to the specific deliverables and does not extend to underlying tools, frameworks, or methodologies used in their creation.

7.2 DadOfTheClan Retained IP

DadOfTheClan retains ownership of all pre-existing intellectual property, proprietary tools, internal frameworks, platform infrastructure, and any general-purpose methods, processes, or components developed independently of the client engagement. Where proprietary components are incorporated into client deliverables, DadOfTheClan grants the client a perpetual, non-exclusive license to use those components as part of the delivered solution.

7.3 Client Data

All data provided by the client or generated by the client's systems remains the sole property of the client at all times. DadOfTheClan claims no ownership over client data and will return or destroy it upon request or upon termination of the engagement in accordance with applicable retention requirements.

8. Termination

8.1 Managed Services

Either party may terminate a managed services engagement with thirty days written notice. No penalty, termination fee, or early exit charge applies. The client remains responsible for fees accrued through the final day of the notice period. DadOfTheClan will provide reasonable transition assistance during the notice period to support continuity of client operations.

8.2 Project Engagements

Project engagements may be terminated by the client with written notice. Upon termination, the client is responsible for fees covering all work completed through the date of termination. Where a deposit was paid, the portion of that deposit corresponding to completed work is retained. DadOfTheClan will deliver all completed work product to the client upon receipt of any outstanding balance.

8.3 Termination for Cause

Either party may terminate an engagement immediately upon written notice if the other party materially breaches these terms or the applicable service agreement and fails to cure that breach within fifteen days of written notice specifying the breach. DadOfTheClan may also terminate or suspend services immediately without notice where continued engagement would expose DadOfTheClan or its clients to legal liability or security risk.

9. Warranties and Disclaimers

DadOfTheClan warrants that services will be performed in a professional and workmanlike manner consistent with reasonable industry standards, by personnel with the experience and qualifications appropriate to the work.

DadOfTheClan does not warrant that services will be uninterrupted or error-free, that all security threats will be detected or prevented, or that any particular outcome will be achieved. Technology environments involve variables outside DadOfTheClan's control, and no guarantee of specific results is expressed or implied.

Except as expressly stated in these terms or a signed service agreement, all services are provided "as is" without warranty of any kind, express or implied, including warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.

10. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, DadOfTheClan's total cumulative liability to the client for any and all claims arising out of or related to any engagement shall not exceed the total fees paid by the client to DadOfTheClan in the three months immediately preceding the event giving rise to the claim.

In no event shall DadOfTheClan be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages — including but not limited to loss of revenue, loss of data, loss of business opportunity, or reputational harm — regardless of whether DadOfTheClan has been advised of the possibility of such damages and regardless of the theory of liability.

Nothing in this section limits liability for gross negligence, willful misconduct, fraud, or any liability that cannot be limited under applicable law.

11. Indemnification

The client agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless DadOfTheClan Consulting Group, LLC and its members, consultants, and personnel from and against any claims, damages, losses, liabilities, costs, and expenses — including reasonable legal fees — arising out of or related to:

12. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

These Terms of Service and all engagements governed by them are construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Michigan, without regard to conflict of law principles. The parties agree that any dispute arising out of or relating to these terms or any engagement shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in Branch County, Michigan.

Before initiating formal proceedings, both parties agree to attempt resolution through good faith direct negotiation for a period of not less than thirty days following written notice of a dispute. This obligation does not apply where immediate legal action is necessary to prevent irreparable harm.

If any provision of these terms is found to be unenforceable under applicable law, that provision shall be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable, and the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.

13. Changes to These Terms

DadOfTheClan reserves the right to update these Terms of Service at any time. The effective date at the top of this page will reflect the date of the most recent revision. For active clients, material changes will be communicated with no less than thirty days written notice through the client portal or via the contact information on file.

Continued use of DadOfTheClan platforms or services following the effective date of a revision constitutes acceptance of the updated terms. Prior versions are available upon request by contacting [email protected].

14. Contact

Questions regarding these terms, formal notices, or legal correspondence should be directed to: