Process
From first message
to a tended site.
Eleven small steps. None of them are surprises. If anything on this page isn’t clear, that’s on me — tell me and I’ll fix the wording.
- 01
You read the site
Whenever you like
Services, pricing, journal, about. Everything I charge for and most of how I work is here in plain words. Nothing locked behind a call.
- 02
You send a message
Two minutes
The contact form, or an email if you prefer. Tell me what you're trying to build and who it's for. Rough is fine. I read every one myself.
- 03
I write back
Within two business days
A real reply from me — not a form. Either a ballpark range and what a firm quote would need, or a suggestion that we get on a short call first.
- 04
A short call, if it helps
30 minutes, free
No pitch, no upsell. We talk through the project, the people it serves, and what success looks like. If we're not a fit, I'll say so and point you somewhere better.
- 05
A written quote
Within 24 hours of the call
A fixed price, what's included, what isn't, the timeline, and the payment shape. Straightforward tweaks may be quoted on the call itself.
- 06
You say yes
When you're ready
A simple agreement covers scope, timeline, ownership of the work, and the content warranty (you confirm you own or have rights to what you give me). A 50% deposit holds your start date; the remaining 50% is due at launch, or split across two monthly payments if that fits better.
- 07
The kit arrives
Before we start
Logo, brand colors if you have them, photography, written content, domain access, and any points of integration. I send a short checklist so nothing gets missed.
- 08
I build
Two to six weeks, typically
You see progress on a private preview link. Two rounds of revisions are built into every project. I write copy with you, not at you.
- 09
We launch
A single afternoon
Domain, hosting, analytics, and a short walkthrough so you know how to update what you need to. Final payment is due at launch.
- 10
Care begins, if you want it
Month one is free
Every build includes the first month of Steady Flame care. After that you can stay on a Tend plan, pause it, or leave entirely. The site is yours either way.
- 11
We keep the lamp lit
As long as it serves you
Quarterly check-ins, security updates, small content changes, and the occasional new section. I only tend sites I built myself.
A few honest notes
- I only tend sites I built. If you have an existing site by someone else and want ongoing care, I can rebuild it first — then tend it like any other Lampkeeper project.
- Tend plans are month-to-month. If you pause and later ask for a fix or update, you pay for that month based on the work done. No back-pay, no contracts that outlast the value.
- The work is yours. Code, copy, design files — all of it transfers to you at launch. If you ever leave, you leave with everything.
- Content you don’t own, I won’t use. See the terms for the short version.