Terms of Service

1. Acceptance and Eligibility

By creating an account, posting a project, joining as a professional, or otherwise using The Proper Handyman website or services (the “Platform”), you agree to these Terms of Service and our Privacy Policy. If you are a professional, you also agree to the Professional Marketplace Agreement.

You must be at least 18 years old and legally able to enter into contracts. If you use the Platform for a business or other organization, you represent that you have authority to bind that organization.

2. Marketplace Role

The Proper Handyman is a marketplace and referral/networking platform. We provide technology that helps homeowners describe projects and helps independent professionals discover opportunities, present profiles, communicate, and submit quotes.

The Proper Handyman is not a contractor, construction manager, employer, joint employer, agent, partner, or representative of any professional or homeowner. Except for the professional membership subscription paid to The Proper Handyman, the agreement for actual project work is directly between the homeowner and the professional selected by the homeowner.

We do not control a professional’s methods, schedule, pricing, tools, personnel, or work product, and we do not guarantee that a project will receive a response, that a professional will be hired, or that any project will be completed.

3. Accounts and User Conduct

You are responsible for accurate account information, safeguarding your login credentials, and activity under your account. You must promptly update information that becomes inaccurate.

You may not use the Platform for fraud, harassment, discrimination, unlawful work, misleading statements, credential misrepresentation, scraping, malware, impersonation, circumvention of security, or any activity that violates applicable law or another person’s rights.

4. Homeowners

Core homeowner use of the Platform is currently free. Homeowners are responsible for providing accurate project information and for independently evaluating professionals, quotes, scope, price, credentials, licensing, insurance, permits, warranties, and contract terms before hiring.

A homeowner’s acceptance of a quote indicates an intent to hire or continue discussions with that professional; it does not make The Proper Handyman a party to the service contract.

5. Professionals and Membership Subscription

Professionals must provide accurate information about identity, business status, experience, services, locations served, licenses, insurance, and other credentials. Professionals are solely responsible for maintaining every license, registration, permit, bond, insurance policy, tax status, and other requirement that applies to the work they offer or perform.

Membership: The professional membership currently includes a 7-day free trial. Unless canceled before the trial ends, the membership converts to a paid subscription of $29.99 per month and renews monthly until canceled. Applicable taxes may be added where required. Billing is processed by Stripe or another disclosed payment processor.

Cancellation instructions are provided at enrollment and through any account, billing, or support method made available by The Proper Handyman. Cancellation stops future renewals; fees already charged are generally nonrefundable except where required by law or expressly stated otherwise. We may change future membership pricing or features after providing notice required by applicable law.

6. Projects, Quotes, Payments, and Direct Contracts

Professionals determine their own quotes and whether to pursue a project. Homeowners choose whether to accept a quote. The parties are responsible for agreeing on scope, materials, schedule, payment terms, change orders, warranties, permits, and any written contract required by law.

Unless the Platform later expressly states otherwise for a particular transaction, payment for handyman or construction work is arranged directly between the homeowner and professional. The Proper Handyman does not receive, hold, escrow, or guarantee payment for the underlying project.

7. Verification and Credentials

The Platform may request identity, business, license, insurance, or other documents. A “verified” label means only that specified information or documents were reviewed under the Platform’s then-current process. Verification is not an endorsement, guarantee of competence, background check guarantee, warranty, or promise that a credential remains current.

Users should independently confirm credentials relevant to a specific project before work begins.

8. User Content, Reviews, and Communications

You retain ownership of content you submit, such as project descriptions, photos, profile information, messages, and reviews. You grant The Proper Handyman a nonexclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to host, copy, display, format, and use that content as reasonably necessary to operate, secure, improve, and promote the Platform.

Reviews must reflect genuine experiences and must not be fraudulent, extortionate, defamatory, or unlawfully disclose private information. We may remove content that violates these Terms or creates legal, security, or safety concerns.

9. User Disputes; Disclaimer; Limitation of Liability

Disputes concerning the underlying project, workmanship, property damage, injuries, payment, scope, delays, permits, warranties, or other job-related matters are primarily between the homeowner and professional.

To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Platform is provided “as is” and “as available,” without warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, noninfringement, or any guarantee regarding professionals, homeowners, project quality, safety, legality, availability, or results.

To the fullest extent permitted by law, The Proper Handyman and its owners, officers, employees, and service providers will not be liable for indirect, incidental, special, exemplary, punitive, or consequential damages, or for losses arising from a user’s acts or omissions or from work performed outside the Platform. To the fullest extent permitted by law, aggregate liability arising from the Platform will not exceed the amount you paid to The Proper Handyman during the 12 months before the event giving rise to the claim, or $100 if you paid nothing.

Nothing in these Terms excludes liability that cannot lawfully be excluded or limited.

10. Indemnification

To the extent permitted by law, you agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless The Proper Handyman and its owners, officers, employees, and service providers from claims, damages, liabilities, losses, and reasonable legal expenses arising from your use of the Platform, your content, your violation of these Terms or law, or your project or services, except to the extent caused by The Proper Handyman’s own conduct for which indemnification cannot lawfully be required.

11. Suspension and Termination

We may suspend or terminate access when reasonably necessary for security, fraud prevention, nonpayment, violations of these Terms, misleading credentials, legal compliance, or protection of users or the Platform. You may stop using the Platform at any time. Ending an account does not automatically cancel obligations already owed under a separate homeowner-professional contract.

12. Governing Law, Updates, and Contact

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of California, without regard to conflict-of-law rules. Any provision that is unenforceable will be limited or severed to the minimum extent necessary, and the remaining provisions will continue in effect.

We may update these Terms from time to time. Material changes will be communicated as required by applicable law, and the effective date above will be updated.

For questions about these Terms, contact The Proper Handyman through the support/contact method published on the Platform.