Terms & Conditions

1. The Agreement

These terms form a binding agreement between you (“the client”) and Dissertationist (“we”, “us”). By requesting a free sample, accepting a quote, making a payment or sending us a document for editing, you confirm that you have read, understood and accepted these terms.

We may update these terms from time to time. The version in force is the one published on this page at the moment you place your order.

2. Scope of Our Services

We provide proofreading, copy-editing and formatting support for academic documents. Depending on the package you select, this may include:

• Correction of grammar, spelling, punctuation, syntax and tense consistency.
• Calibration of tone and register to formal British academic English.
• Referencing and citation audits across OSCOLA, Harvard, APA, MHRA, MLA, Chicago, IEEE and Vancouver.
• Formatting of headings, margins, tables, captions, appendices and contents pages.
• Comments on clarity, paragraph logic, chapter transitions and argument flow.
• A Turnitin-style similarity audit report, where included in your package.

3. Academic Integrity

You are responsible for checking your own institution’s proofreading and academic misconduct regulations before submitting edited work, and for declaring the use of a proofreader where your university requires it. We accept no responsibility for any academic penalty arising from a breach of your institution’s rules.

4. Quotes & Orders

• Quotes are based on the final word count, the package selected and the turnaround required.
• A quote is valid for 7 days unless we state otherwise in writing.
• Your order is confirmed once we acknowledge it and payment (or the agreed deposit) is received.
• If the document you send differs materially from what was quoted — for example a significantly higher word count — we will issue a revised quote before starting work.
• The free 500-word sample carries no obligation and requires no payment details.

5. Payment

Prices are quoted per 1,000 words as shown on our pricing section and are payable in pounds sterling. Payment is normally required in full before delivery; for larger projects we may agree a deposit and balance arrangement in writing. Card payments are handled by a secure third-party payment provider — we do not store your full card details.

Prices exclude any bank charges or currency conversion fees applied by your own bank. We reserve the right to change our published rates at any time, but never for an order already confirmed.

6. Delivery & Deadlines

• Standard turnaround is 3–5 working days for a full dissertation; express 24-hour and 48-hour options are available at a surcharge.
• The turnaround clock starts when we receive both the final document and cleared payment.
• Work is delivered to the email address you provide, as a tracked-changes file plus a clean copy.
• Delays caused by incorrect contact details, late file delivery or unanswered clarification requests are not our responsibility.
• If we cannot meet an agreed deadline for reasons within our control, you may request a full refund of the affected work.

7. Revisions & Re-Checks

If any part of the edit does not match the package you paid for, tell us within 14 days of delivery and we will re-edit it free of charge. PhD Executive orders include unlimited minor re-checks for 14 days after delivery.

Re-checks cover the document we edited. Newly written sections, restructured chapters or material added after delivery count as new work and are quoted separately.

8. Cancellations & Refunds

• Cancel before an editor begins work and you receive a full refund.
• Cancel after work has started and we refund the proportion not yet completed.
• If the delivered work falls short of the standard promised and we cannot put it right through re-editing, our 100% money-back guarantee applies.
• Refunds are not available solely because of the grade awarded by your institution — marking is outside our control.
• Approved refunds are returned to the original payment method, normally within 10 working days.

9. Your Obligations

• Provide the final version of your document; repeated substitutions may affect the deadline and price.
• Supply your university’s style guide or handbook where a bespoke house style applies.
• Confirm that the work you send is your own and that you are entitled to have it edited.
• Respond to clarification requests promptly so the deadline can be met.
• Review the tracked changes yourself and accept or reject each edit before submission.

10. Intellectual Property

You retain full ownership of your document and all intellectual property in it. Once payment is complete, the edited version is likewise yours. We claim no rights over your work and will not reuse, resell or publish it.

The content, design, branding and code of this website remain our property and may not be copied or reproduced without written permission.

11. Confidentiality

Every document is treated as confidential. Access is limited to the assigned editor, your project manager and quality control, all of whom are bound by non-disclosure agreements. We will never disclose that you have used our service to your institution or any third party. Full detail on how we handle your information is in our Privacy Policy.

12. Limitation of Liability

We deliver our services with reasonable skill and care. However, our total liability arising from any order is limited to the amount you paid for that order. We are not liable for indirect or consequential loss, including loss of marks, delayed graduation, missed submission deadlines caused by factors outside our control, or decisions taken by your institution.

Nothing in these terms excludes or limits liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, for fraud, or for any liability that cannot lawfully be excluded.

13. Complaints & Governing Law

If something goes wrong, contact info@dissertationist.com with your order reference. We acknowledge complaints within 2 working days and aim to resolve them within 10 working days.