These Terms of Service set out the legal terms under which Quietridgezone provides advisory, planning, and implementation services to clients. An engagement commences only once both parties have agreed in writing to a proposal, statement of work, or service agreement that references these terms. Proposals will specify the scope, deliverables, estimated timelines, fees, and any particular assumptions or exclusions. Quietridgezone will perform services with reasonable care and skill in accordance with industry standards and the agreed scope. Clients are responsible for providing accurate information, timely access to personnel and materials, and for internal decisions and approvals. If a client requires material changes to the scope, the parties will agree to adjustments to fee, schedule, and deliverables in writing. Quietridgezone retains the right to refuse or suspend work if a client’s actions materially impede performance or if required information is withheld. Advisory outputs, models, and recommendations are prepared for the client’s use and are tailored to stated objectives and constraints identified during engagement. Clients retain responsibility for decisions taken on the basis of our work; Quietridgezone provides guidance and analysis but does not guarantee specific investment returns or business outcomes.

2. Fees, Payment, and Expenses

Fees and payment terms are set forth in the proposal and may include fixed fees, time-based billing, or milestone-based payments. All fees are exclusive of taxes, duties, and third-party costs unless otherwise stated. Invoices are due according to the payment schedule; late payments may incur interest or suspension of services. For fixed-price engagements, additional work outside the agreed scope will be subject to change orders and additional fees. Clients are responsible for reasonable travel and third-party costs where pre-approved. Quietridgezone may require an initial deposit for scoped work. If payment is not received within agreed terms, Quietridgezone reserves the right to suspend services and to recover collection costs. Cancellation or rescheduling policies will be described in the engagement letter; for longer-term engagements, termination provisions and wind-down fees are outlined in the agreement to ensure orderly hand-off of materials and continuity for the client. Confidential financial information used only for modeling and analysis will be handled in accordance with the confidentiality provisions below.

3. Confidentiality, Intellectual Property, and Use of Deliverables

Both parties will maintain the confidentiality of information disclosed in connection with an engagement, subject to legal obligations and standard exclusions such as information that is public, already known, or independently developed. Quietridgezone will treat client data and materials as confidential and will not disclose them to third parties except as necessary to perform the services or where required by law, and will use contractual safeguards with any subcontractors. Deliverables prepared by Quietridgezone are licensed to the client for its internal business use upon full payment of fees. Quietridgezone retains ownership of methodologies, models, templates, and tools developed prior to or independent of the engagement; such pre-existing intellectual property is licensed on a limited, non-exclusive basis for client use in connection with the project. If the parties wish to use deliverables for broader distribution or to enable third-party commercialization, a separate license will be agreed in writing. Clients must obtain Quietridgezone’s consent before publicly attributing recommendations or results that rely on proprietary models. Both parties will respect each other’s trademarks and brand materials and will not misrepresent affiliation beyond agreed marketing references or case studies where consent is documented.

4. Warranties, Limitations of Liability, and Indemnities

Quietridgezone warrants that it will perform services in a professional manner consistent with industry standards. Except for this limited warranty, services and deliverables are provided "as is" and Quietridgezone disclaims other warranties to the fullest extent permitted by law. To the extent permitted by applicable law, Quietridgezone’s aggregate liability for claims arising out of or in connection with an engagement will be limited to the total fees paid by the client for the specific services giving rise to the claim. In no event will Quietridgezone be liable for consequential, incidental, special, or punitive damages, lost profits, or lost opportunities. Clients agree to indemnify and hold Quietridgezone harmless from third-party claims arising from client-provided data, misuse of deliverables, or decisions implemented by the client. Where local law requires otherwise, statutory rights may apply and will not be restricted by these terms. The parties will seek to resolve disputes amicably through good faith discussions prior to pursuing formal remedies.

5. Data, Privacy, and Security

Quietridgezone’s handling of personal data is described in our Privacy Policy available at /privacy/. When client data is shared for analysis, we implement appropriate administrative and technical safeguards to protect confidentiality and integrity. Clients should avoid sharing unnecessary sensitive personal data unless specifically required for the engagement, and in such cases explicit consent and heightened protections will be implemented. Data retention, transfer, and deletion practices will be agreed during scoping. For security incidents affecting client data, Quietridgezone will notify the client promptly and cooperate in remediation and regulatory obligations as applicable.

6. Termination and Transition

Either party may terminate an engagement where the other materially breaches these terms and fails to cure within a reasonable period after notice. Upon termination, Quietridgezone will invoice for work performed up to the termination date and will provide deliverables and hand-off materials consistent with the agreed scope and payment. Transition assistance may be provided under a separate agreement to support orderly hand-off of models, assumptions, and documentation. Termination will not affect accrued rights or obligations, including confidentiality and payment obligations, which will survive termination as set out in the engagement agreement.

7. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

These Terms of Service and any engagement agreements are governed by the laws of the State of California, United States, without regard to conflict of law principles. The parties will attempt to resolve disputes in good faith and by negotiation. If negotiation does not resolve the matter, the parties may agree to mediation. Absent agreement on alternative dispute resolution, disputes may be resolved in the state or federal courts located in San Francisco County, California. Nothing in this section prevents either party from seeking injunctive relief in a court of competent jurisdiction to prevent irreparable harm.