Everything people usually ask before we start. Don't see yours? Email hello@elevatedarc.ai.
What's in each website tier?
Simple if visitors mainly read and contact you, Standard if they book, request a quote, or sign up, and Advanced if they log in and pay you online. Compare the website tiers on Pricing.
How long do things take?
Your written scope lists your timeline. I reply to messages within one day, weekends included, finish revisions within 3 business days of your full list, and start on any fix for a broken site within one day, weekends included. Sending your text, photos, and logins early keeps things moving.
Need it in under 10 business days? That's a rush, with an added fee. See rush pricing under Payment and costs.
What counts as a revision round?
One complete list of changes, sent within 5 business days of a preview. Changes sent one at a time count as separate rounds. Extra rounds are listed under Website Add-Ons on Pricing. New features are added only after you approve the price in writing.
Who owns my site, domain, and logo?
You do. Your domain and accounts are always in your business's name. Your site is built on a private preview and handed over after final payment. Your logo comes with a written rights assignment from the designer.
What is a basic automation?
One trigger (the thing that starts it, like a form being submitted) and up to 3 actions (what happens next, like emailing you, confirming with the customer, and logging it in a sheet), on one path. It runs on free tools with no code. More triggers, more actions, branches or filters, payments, logins, or paid software are quoted separately.
What's Business Setup?
Help starting a new business in DC, MD, or VA, from your business plan to your LLC, EIN (federal tax ID), and business email, where you file and sign and I guide and check. See Business Setup options and prices.
What if I only need my LLC?
LLC Setup is for you if you already have a plan, or don't need one. I guide you through forming your LLC in DC, MD, or VA and getting your EIN, then give you a bank account checklist, a local license checklist, and a first-year deadline calendar, with a 30-minute handoff call at the end. You file and pay the state yourself. See LLC Setup and its price.
Do Keep Up Founding clients keep $250 at renewal?
Yes, for one renewal. Founding Keep Up clients pay $250 a year for years 1 and 2. After year 2, the regular price applies, and I give 60 days' notice before that change.
Can Keep Up or Elevated Care prices change later?
Yes, at most once a year and always with notice. See the Keep Up and Elevated Care terms on Pricing.
Is SAM.gov free?
Yes. SAM.gov registration is always free, and free help exists from APEX Accelerators and SBDCs (free government-funded business help centers). If you hire me, you pay for my help and guidance, never for the registration itself.
Who controls my SAM.gov account?
You do. You create and keep your own SAM.gov login and the main owner role, called Entity Administrator. SAM.gov does not let an outside consultant hold that role or use your login. You give me a helper role, called Data Entry, so I can help prepare and review.
Do you guarantee contracts?
No. I help you get registered and ready. I can't promise activation dates, certification approvals, or contract awards.
How do I check if my business is in good standing?
Use the free Status Check. It opens the official public search for Maryland, Virginia, DC, or SAM.gov. Look for Active or Good Standing, and note your next due date.
Are you part of the government?
No. Elevated Arc is a private business. SAM.gov registration is free, and you never have to pay anyone to register.
How do payments work?
Smaller one-time services are paid upfront, and larger projects are paid in stages. See payment terms on Pricing.
What happens if I go quiet?
No penalty. After 3 business days, a friendly check-in. After 7 business days, a follow-up and an offer to pause. After 14 business days with no reply, the project goes on hold at no charge. While a project is on hold, work stops and the timeline stops. You get no new bills. Your deposit and any payments for approved milestones stay paid. Reply anytime to pick back up. You can ask for a pause whenever you need one.
How do you use AI?
How I use AI and protect your information is explained on the Privacy page.
What is Founding Client pricing?
My first 5 clients for each offering get lower flat prices, through June 30, 2027 or until the spots fill. In return, I ask for honest feedback. Showing your project as a portfolio example or case study is optional: it's a checkbox in your agreement, off unless you check it. A testimonial is never required.
How do you get into my accounts safely?
With your written authorization first. You add me as a user on your own accounts, and I send simple steps for how to do it. No passwords are ever shared. Where the state allows it, I can file as a preparer, or I walk you through it while you click submit. I never turn off your two-factor login.
Do you give legal or tax advice?
No. I'm not a law firm or accounting firm. Tax deadlines on Keep Up are reminders only, and you approve every filing. For legal or tax questions, I'll point you to an attorney or CPA.
Why it matters (quick tips)
Use a business email. An address at your own domain looks professional, keeps business separate from personal, and stays yours if you change providers. Email trust settings (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) are behind-the-scenes records that help your messages land in the inbox instead of spam.
Own your domain. Your domain should be bought in your business's name, with your login. If someone else holds it, you can lose your website and email when the relationship ends.
Stay in good standing (Keep Up). Missing a state annual report can put your business out of good standing, which can block bank accounts, payment processors, loans, and government contracts. Keep Up tracks the deadlines and files for you, so it doesn't sneak up on you. See Keep Up pricing.
Claim your Google Business Profile (your free listing on Google Maps and Search). It's free from Google and is often the first thing local customers see when they search for you. A complete, accurate profile helps people find and call you.
Know who owns your logo. Logos that start as AI art can't be fully protected by copyright. A human redraw with a written rights assignment, plus a trademark for your business name, is the cleaner path. I give every logo client a one-page guide.
Clear, fair policies: no work starts until the first payment, written approval at every step, and your accounts are always yours. Full client policies will be shared before you sign.