Table of Contents
Service Direction / Introduction / Scope
At iCoreHosting, your hosting plan covers most standard features and automation. However, certain requests require specialized engineering time, manual configuration, or handling of third-party products. This article explains why Setup Fees or One-Time Service Charges apply to these non-standard requests, with a specific focus on SSL Certificate Installation.
Service Transparency
We believe in transparent billing. Our recurring hosting fees cover the automated infrastructure and standard support. When a request requires a dedicated engineer to manually configure a server, install a third-party product, or perform complex data handling, a service fee is charged to cover that labor time. This ensures we can maintain high-quality support without inflating the base cost of hosting for everyone.
Definitions
- One-Time Service Charge: A non-recurring fee for a specific task (e.g., Migration, Repair, Custom Config).
- SSL Certificate (Product): The digital file issued by a Certificate Authority (CA) to secure your domain. Cost covers the license only.
- SSL Installation (Service): The manual labor required to generate keys, validate, and configure the server to use that certificate.
- AutoSSL: An automated, free SSL feature included in Shared Hosting that requires no manual installation.
Description of Content: Fee Categories & SSL Policy
1. Common Reasons a Fee May Apply
Fees are generally applied for tasks that fall outside standard support scope, such as:
- Custom Configuration: Special PHP modules, WAF rules, IIS bindings, or Reverse Proxies.
- Data Handling: Manual site migrations, mailbox merges, or complex file restores.
- Security/Compliance: Audits, TLS hardening, or abuse remediation.
- VPS/Dedicated Extras: R-DNS setup, hardware swaps, or remote-hands support.
- Expedited Tasks: Urgent tasks requested outside business hours.
2. The Difference: SSL Certificate vs. SSL Installation
It is crucial to distinguish between the Product and the Service.
| SSL Certificate Fee | Covers the Product Only (The CA-issued file). Does NOT include installation. |
| SSL Installation Fee | Covers the Labor (CSR generation, server config, validation, testing). |
Policy: Purchasing an SSL certificate from iCoreHosting (or a third party) does not include installation. If you require us to install it, a separate one-time fee applies.
3. SSL Scenarios
- Shared Hosting: Free "AutoSSL" is included and automated. However, if you bring a paid custom SSL and ask us to install it, the Installation Fee applies.
- VPS & Dedicated: You may self-install for free via root access. If you request iCoreHosting to install/validate it, the Installation Fee applies.
4. Why do we charge for installation?
The fee covers the engineering time for:
- CSR and Private Key generation.
- Applying files across platforms (Apache, Nginx, IIS, cPanel).
- Troubleshooting DNS validation, redirects, and CDN conflicts.
- Configuring HSTS and TLS ciphers.
Common Mistakes
- Assuming "Buying" means "Installing": Buying an SSL certificate is like buying a car part; the mechanic still charges labor to fit it.
- Expecting Refunds on Service Fees: Unlike hosting plans, service fees (Installation/Migration) are for labor already performed and are non-refundable.
- Confusing AutoSSL with Paid SSL: AutoSSL is free and automatic. Paid SSLs (like Sectigo/DigiCert) require manual setup and validation.
Responsibility Breakdown
iCoreHosting Responsibilities:
- Provide the "Product" (Certificate) if purchased from us.
- Perform professional installation and validation IF the "Service" fee is paid.
- Waive fees if the work is explicitly included in a specific promo or onboarding package.
Client Responsibilities:
- Choose between self-installation (Free) or managed installation (Paid).
- Understand that buying a certificate does not automatically configure the web server.
- Pay the one-time invoice for custom engineering requests.
Support Information
If you need a quotation for a custom task or SSL installation, please reach out:
- Support Portal: Contact Support
- Payment Options: View Payment Instructions
FAQ
Q: If I buy the SSL from iCore, does it include installation?
A: No. The certificate fee covers the product license only. Installation is a separate service charge.
Q: Can I avoid the installation fee?
A: Yes. On shared hosting, you can use the free AutoSSL. On VPS/Dedicated servers, you can perform the installation yourself using your root access.
Q: Is the installation fee refundable?
A: No. Installation is a completed service (labor) and is not covered under our 100-Day Money Back Guarantee, which applies to hosting plans only.
Summary
Standard hosting features are automated and covered by your plan. Custom engineering tasks—specifically manual SSL installation, complex migrations, and advanced server configuration—incur a one-time Setup or Service Fee to cover the engineering time required.
Use Case
| Scenario | Fees Applicable | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Client uses standard cPanel AutoSSL. | Free | Included in hosting plan automation. |
| Client buys a 1-year Sectigo SSL and asks iCore to install it on their VPS. | Product Fee + Installation Fee | Client pays for the Cert (Product) and the Engineer's time (Service). |
| Client requests a custom Firewall rule on a Dedicated Server. | One-Time Service Charge | Custom configuration requires manual engineering work. |
