Fees, Terms & Conditions

We ask all clients to agree in writing (or by e-mail) to our Terms of Service before starting work on a case, so that everyone knows exactly where they stand. All estimates at Finding Families are free, so please don’t hesitate to ask questions. Feel free to write, phone or e-mail: all the contact details you need are on the Contact Us page.

TERMS OF SERVICE

Genealogical Work

1. Work will commence only after the client has accepted these Terms of Service. 2. Finding Families will carry out research as agreed with the client but cannot guarantee success, as this is often dependent on external factors. 3. Genealogical information provided by the client to Finding Families as part of the basis of research will be taken as accurate. Finding Families will not be held responsible for research undertaken on the basis of inaccurate or incorrect information provided by the client. Fees 4. The fee for routine genealogical work carried out by Finding Families is £25.00 per hour. 5. For routine genealogical work, the client is encouraged to set an initial limit on expenditure, to be revised as research proceeds. For DNA cases we charge a fixed fee. Currently this is £500 for one parent or grandparent, £800 for two. Half of the fee is payable upfront, half at the end. Clients will pay for their own autosomal tests and any extra needed through the process.

Chargeable Time

6. Chargeable time includes: a. time spent engaged in any form of genealogical research, in any location; b. time spent creating and updating draft and/or finalised family trees, either as working documents or for the client; c. time spent drafting and updating progress reports for the client; d. time spent creating and updating any presentation materials as agreed with the client; e. time spent in telephone calls involving the client or third parties; f. time spent in electronic or postal correspondence with the client or third parties; g. time spent in travel to and from a location.

Expenses

7. The following expenses will be charged to clients where applicable to the case in question: a. documents purchased by Finding Families; b. printing or photocopying fees incurred by Finding Families at outside locations; c. professional fees incurred by Finding Families d. bank fees arising from bank transfers made from non-British banks; e. private travel by car (at £0.45 per mile). Invoices 8. The client may opt to receive informal updates as to their outstanding balance by e-mail, telephone or post, as part of ongoing correspondence, in lieu of formal invoices. 9. Formal invoices must be paid within 14 days from the date on the invoice. 10. Finding Families reserves the right to take legal action against any client who does not pay an invoice.

Methods of Payment

11. Payment is only accepted in Pounds Sterling. 12. Payment may be made by any of the following methods: a. bank transfer (bank details available on invoice) preferred method b. cheque (made payable to Finding Families Limited); c. PayPal (attracts an additional 4% charge to cover commission). 13. Cash payment is also accepted, although Finding Families takes no responsibility for the safe transit of cash, which is sent at the client’s own risk.