Legal
Terms & Refund Policy
Plain-language terms for working with Airgap Consulting. Every engagement also has its own written scope of work. If the two ever conflict, the scope of work controls.
1. Who you're working with
Airgap Consulting is the assumed business name of Charles Donovan, a sole proprietor based in Illinois. "I," "me," and "Airgap Consulting" mean that business. "You" means the client.
2. Services and scope
I provide IT, network, cloud, privacy, hardware, and security consulting. Before work begins, we agree on a written scope of work that says what's included, what you'll receive, the price, and the timeline.
- Work outside the scope is discussed and priced before it starts. No surprise charges.
- The introductory call is free and is for figuring out fit. Recommendations and troubleshooting beyond that are billable.
- This is a part-time practice. I take on a limited number of projects at a time and reply to inquiries within two business days.
3. Pricing and payment
- Projects are priced either as a flat fee or hourly, as stated in the scope of work.
- Invoices are sent through Stripe and are due by the date shown on the invoice. Larger projects may require a deposit before work begins.
- Work may pause if an invoice is more than the agreed number of days overdue.
- Sales tax is added to an invoice where the law requires it.
4. Hardware and equipment
I sell labor only. I don't sell hardware, and equipment never appears on my invoices.
- You buy it directly. I list exactly what you need, with links, and you purchase it from the retailer or manufacturer. Your payment goes straight to them.
- Want a hand with it? I can fill a cart for you to check out, or walk you through checkout. That time is billed as labor at the hourly rate in your scope of work.
- Because I'm not the seller, the manufacturer's or retailer's own return and warranty policy applies to anything you buy. I don't warrant the hardware itself.
Hardware wallets and other security devices are the exception to that help.You must buy them yourself, new and sealed, directly from the manufacturer or an authorized retailer. I don't order, supply, or handle them before you do, because a device that passes through a third party first can be tampered with.
5. Your responsibilities
- Give me the physical, network, or account access the work needs, and tell me accurately what you have.
- Back up anything important before work begins.
- Respond to questions and access requests promptly. Delays on your side move the timeline.
- Change or revoke any credentials or access you granted me once the work is done.
6. Security and crypto work: what it is and isn't
- My crypto-related work covers the technical security of your own self-custody setup. It is not investment, financial, tax, or legal advice, and I never take custody of your funds.
- I will never ask you to send me a seed phrase or private key, in any form. Setup happens with you present, and you handle those secrets yourself.
- You are responsible for safekeeping your recovery phrases and keys. I can't recover lost keys or reverse a transaction.
- Security work reduces risk. It can't guarantee against future incidents, data loss, unauthorized access, or loss of funds.
7. Refund policy
I'd rather make it right than argue about it. Here's how refunds work.
- Before work starts: full refund of anything you've paid.
- After work starts, before it's finished: you get a refund for the part of the work not yet done. Work already completed is billed, at the hourly rate or as the matching portion of a flat fee.
- After the work is finished: if it doesn't do what the scope of work says, tell me within 14 days of completion. I'll fix it at no charge. If I can't fix it, I'll refund the fees for the part that doesn't meet the scope. Completed work that meets the agreed scope is not refundable.
- Scheduled sessions: reschedule or cancel free with 24 hours' notice. Later cancellations and no-shows may be charged for the time reserved. If I cancel, you choose a reschedule or a full refund.
- Hardware: you buy hardware directly from the retailer, so returns and refunds on it are between you and them. I'm glad to help you start a return.
Approved refunds go back to your original payment method through Stripe, usually within 10 business days. Your bank may take longer to show it. To request one, emailoffice@airgapconsulting.com. Please contact me before disputing a charge with your bank. Most problems get fixed faster directly.
8. Limits on liability
To the fullest extent the law allows, my total liability for any engagement is limited to the fees you paid for it. I'm not liable for indirect or consequential losses such as lost profits, downtime, or lost data. Beyond what's stated on this page and in your scope of work, I make no warranties, express or implied. Nothing here limits liability that the law doesn't allow to be limited.
9. Confidentiality and your information
- I keep non-public information you share, such as system details, account access, and personal data, confidential. I use it only to do the work and disclose it only if the law requires.
- The contact form collects your name, email, and project details. I use them only to reply to you, and I don't sell or share them. The form is processed by the site's host, Netlify, and delivered to my business email.
- Payments are handled by Stripe. I never see or store your card number.
10. Governing law
These terms are governed by Illinois law. Any dispute that can't be resolved directly will be handled in the courts of Will County, Illinois.
11. Changes to these terms
I may update this page. The version in effect when you agree to a scope of work applies to that engagement.
12. Contact
Questions about any of this:office@airgapconsulting.com.