How WeGet It Done.
Every project at Creative Vets follows the same structure — predictable process produces better work. You'll always know where things stand, what's coming next, and what we need from you to keep moving.
Before any work starts, we talk. You tell us what you're building, what you've already tried, what's broken, and what success looks like. We ask the questions that matter — timeline, budget, existing tech, stakeholder constraints — and tell you honestly whether this is something we can do well.
If we're the right fit, we'll know quickly. If we're not, we'll say so. The goal is a clear-eyed mutual decision before anything gets signed.
Discovery is typically a single call or a short async exchange. Most projects can be scoped from a good brief and one focused conversation.
Once we agree to move forward, we put the scope in writing. This is a plain-language document that defines deliverables, timeline, rate or flat price, revision terms, and what constitutes project completion.
A clear scope document protects both sides. If something changes mid-project — and it often does — we handle it with a written scope adjustment so everyone stays aligned.
For fixed-price projects, a 50% deposit is required before work begins. For hourly engagements, we invoice weekly in arrears.
This is where we go heads-down. Depending on project size, we work in one or two-week cycles with check-ins at natural milestones. You'll have access to a staging environment from early in the build so you can see progress in real form.
Communication is async by default. We use email or whatever channel you prefer. We respond within one business day and flag blockers early — before they become problems.
For larger projects, we may bring in trusted collaborators for specific work (design, copywriting, UX testing). Any subcontracted work is disclosed upfront and doesn't change your point of contact — you're always talking to us.
Before anything ships, you get a structured review period. We walk through the deliverables against the scope document, identify anything that needs adjustment, and make revisions. The number of revision rounds is defined in the scope — typically two for fixed-price projects, unlimited within reason for hourly work.
Fixing something that doesn't match the agreed spec is a revision. Adding a feature that wasn't in the scope is a change order. We handle both cleanly and are upfront about the distinction.
For projects with a UX component, this is also when we recommend bringing in user testing if it hasn't happened earlier. Real user feedback at this stage is almost always worth the time.
When the work is done and approved, we handle the production deployment. For fixed-price projects, final payment is due before or at launch. We monitor for 48–72 hours after go-live and address anything that surfaces in production.
The handoff is a real deliverable. You receive documented access to everything: repos, hosting credentials, CMS training if needed, and a plain-English summary of how the system is set up and how to maintain it. You should be able to run your site independently after launch.
For clients who want ongoing support, we offer retainer arrangements. For those who don't, the door stays open — we'd rather you come back when you need us than pay for coverage you're not using.
The goal is to build the kind of relationship where you think of us first when the next project comes up.
For ongoing needs, we offer retainer arrangements at a reserved monthly block of hours — useful for sites that need regular updates, content builds, or iterative development. Retainer clients get priority scheduling.
For one-off support requests, we work at our standard hourly rate with no minimum.
Non-Negotiables
Everything agreed to is written down. If it's not in the scope document, it's not in the project.
We respond within one business day. If something is blocking progress, we surface it immediately.
We quote timelines we can meet. If something affects the schedule, you'll hear about it before it becomes a problem.
You own everything we build. Code, credentials, documentation — all of it.
FAQ
Yes. We're remote-first so location has never been a constraint.
With a written change order. When a request falls outside the agreed scope, we document it, estimate the additional cost or time, and get your approval before proceeding.
There's no hard minimum. Our work is most valuable for projects with real scope — a new site, a rebuild, an application, or a meaningful consulting engagement. For very small one-off fixes, our hourly rate applies with no retainer required.
We recommend it and can coordinate it. We work with trusted UX consultants who specialize in real-world usability testing for web and mobile products. Testing is typically most valuable before the review phase or immediately post-launch.
We monitor for 48–72 hours post-launch and address anything that surfaces in production. After that, ongoing support is available hourly at our standard rate or through a monthly retainer.