Terms of Service

1. Scope of services

Steinberg & Price ("S&P," "we," "us") provides land use consulting services, including entitlement strategy, zoning and permitting guidance, environmental review coordination, site feasibility analysis and public hearing support. The specific services for any engagement are defined in a written agreement between S&P and the client (the "Engagement Agreement"). If these Terms conflict with an Engagement Agreement, the Engagement Agreement controls.

2. No licensed professional services

S&P is a consulting firm. It does not hold, and does not hold itself out as holding, a license to practice engineering, architecture, land surveying, law or any other licensed profession in California or elsewhere. Nothing we provide is engineering, architectural, surveying or legal advice. Any work that requires such a license must be performed by a professional the client selects and contracts with directly.

3. Client-selected professionals

S&P may, at its discretion, provide the client with the names of engineers, architects, environmental consultants, attorneys or other professionals with whom it has worked. These are introductions only. The client is solely responsible for vetting, selecting, contracting with, supervising and paying any such professional. S&P makes no representation or warranty regarding their qualifications, work product, pricing or performance, and is not responsible for their acts or omissions.

4. No guarantee of outcome

Land use approvals are discretionary decisions made by public agencies, elected and appointed bodies and, in some cases, the courts. S&P does not guarantee any approval, timeline, condition, cost or result. Any statement by S&P regarding the likelihood of success is a professional opinion based on experience, not a promise or warranty.

5. Client responsibilities

The client agrees to provide accurate and complete information about the property and the proposed project, to respond to requests in a timely manner, to make decisions when needed to keep the project moving, and to pay application, filing, noticing and agency fees directly unless otherwise agreed in writing. S&P may rely on information provided by the client without independent verification.

6. Fees and payment

Fees, retainers, reimbursable costs and payment terms are set out in the Engagement Agreement. Unless it states otherwise, invoices are due within [30] days of the invoice date. Unpaid balances may accrue interest at [1%] per month or the maximum rate permitted by law, whichever is less. S&P may suspend work on an account that is more than [30] days past due.

7. Limitation of liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, S&P's total aggregate liability to the client for any and all claims arising out of or relating to its services or these Terms, whether in contract, tort (including negligence), statute or otherwise, shall not exceed the total fees actually paid by the client to S&P under the applicable Engagement Agreement.

In no event shall S&P be liable for any indirect, incidental, consequential, special, exemplary or punitive damages, including lost profits, lost opportunity, financing costs, carrying costs, delay damages or diminution in property value, even if advised of the possibility of such damages.

These limitations do not apply to liability that cannot be limited under applicable law, including liability for fraud, willful misconduct or gross negligence.

8. Confidentiality

S&P keeps client information and project details confidential and does not publish client names, project locations or project descriptions without the client's written consent, except as required by law or as necessary to perform the services (for example, in filings with a public agency). The client agrees to keep S&P's strategy, work product, methods and fee terms confidential.

9. Work product

Upon payment in full, the client may use S&P's deliverables for the project for which they were prepared. S&P retains the right to use its general knowledge, methods and templates in other engagements. Deliverables are prepared for the client's use only and may not be relied upon by third parties without S&P's written consent.

10. Termination

Either party may end an engagement on written notice. The client remains responsible for fees earned and costs incurred through the termination date, and for any non-cancellable commitments made on the client's behalf with the client's approval.

11. Governing law and disputes

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of California, without regard to its conflict-of-law rules. Any dispute arising out of or relating to these Terms or S&P's services shall be resolved exclusively in the state or federal courts located in San Joaquin County, California, and each party consents to the jurisdiction of those courts. Alternative: binding arbitration before JAMS in Sacramento, California, under its Streamlined Arbitration Rules. The prevailing party in any action shall be entitled to recover its reasonable attorneys' fees and costs.

12. Website use

Content on this website is general information and does not constitute professional advice or create a consultant-client relationship. Submitting the contact form does not obligate S&P to accept an engagement, and no engagement exists until an Engagement Agreement is signed. You agree not to use this website for any unlawful purpose or to interfere with its operation.

13. Changes to these Terms

S&P may update these Terms by posting a revised version on this page with a new effective date. Continued use of the website after a change constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms. Changes do not affect an Engagement Agreement already in force.

14. Contact

Questions about these Terms: hello@steinberg-price.com

See also our Privacy Policy.