Is It Out of Scope? — Web design
Is creating a custom 404 page beyond the template out of scope for a web design project?
Usually yes, if the quote priced a standard template 404. Fully custom illustration and copy is a distinct design deliverable.
Most page lists include a generic 404 as part of the template set — a simple "page not found" message styled to match the site. The scope question comes up when the client wants something more: custom illustration, animation, on-brand copywriting, a distinct layout.
Is it out of scope?
Yes, if the quote priced a standard template error page. A fully custom 404 — original illustration, bespoke copy, its own layout — is its own design deliverable, not a variation on the template.
Clause typically implicated
Clause typically implicated
Deliverables clause→ — The quote covers a standard template error page; a fully custom illustrated 404 is a new, unquoted design deliverable.
Example contract wording
Example contract wording (illustrative, not legal advice)
The scope covers a standard 404 in the site's template styling. A fully custom illustrated version is its own design piece — happy to quote that separately, whether as a flat add-on or hourly.
How MarginFlow flags it
MarginFlow flags fully-custom-404 requests outside_scope on design contracts, while treating a standard on-brand template 404 as included in the page list.