Technically a designer owns the copyright to a design for a site even though the designer was paid to dbuild the site for you. This could mean you are tied to a particular designer for the life of your site.
I avoid this problem because as part of the Project Work Agreement I agree to sign over the copyright to the design of site you have asked me to build when I have received your final payment. The site is yours and I have no interest in binding you to me as the original designer unless it is by your choice.
Ken Bartlett
