Terms of Service

Last updated 12 September 2026

Draft — do not launch on this. A marketplace that holds funds, sets schedules and decides disputes needs terms written by a lawyer, plus a separate worker agreement. Two questions in particular need real legal answers before this goes live: whether holding customer funds makes us a money transmitter in Florida, and how worker classification is handled. This draft states the intended position so a lawyer has something concrete to correct.

What HonestWork is

HonestWork is a platform where customers post work and independent workers take it. Workers are independent contractors, not our employees. They set their own prices, choose which jobs to take, decline freely, and use their own tools and vehicles.

What we do stand behind

We are not a neutral noticeboard. We take payment, hold it, schedule the work, keep the record and decide disputes — so we accept responsibility for that process: for holding your money safely, for releasing it only under the rules described here, and for deciding disputes on the evidence.

We are not the contractor. We do not perform the work and we do not supervise how it is done.

Money

The customer's card is charged when a job is awarded. Funds are held by HonestWork, not paid to the worker, until the customer confirms the work or the automatic release window passes.
Automatic release only happens where the worker recorded a check-in at the property. If there is no check-in, nothing releases on a timer and a person reviews it.
HonestWork's fee is 10% of the job, taken from the worker, with a $2 minimum. Customers pay no service fee. Tips go to the worker in full.
Refunds, cancellations and chargebacks are handled case by case on the job record.

Payment protection is not insurance

Holding funds until work is verified is a payment process, not an insurance product, and nothing here is a policy of insurance. Where we offer to make good on a problem, it is a limited, discretionary goodwill remedy with a stated cap.

Licensed trades

Work requiring a state licence — HVAC, electrical, plumbing, roofing, gas, pest control and similar — may not be posted or performed through HonestWork unless and until we enable it with verified licence checks. Posting such work as something else is a breach of these terms.

Going around the platform

Jobs introduced through HonestWork should be booked and paid through HonestWork. Work taken off the platform loses payment protection, dispute handling and any ratings for both sides. Persistent circumvention can end an account.

Reviews and appeals

Reviews come only from paid, completed jobs, and are published without the author's name. The person reviewed may reply once publicly and may appeal. Reviews are removed for breaking the rules, not for being unflattering. Money decisions — refunds, cancellations, no-show findings — may also be appealed, and remain reversible until the appeal is decided.

Conduct

Accurate job descriptions. Show up when you said. No harassment, no discrimination, no unsafe work. We can suspend an account for safety reasons at any time.

Liability

To be drafted with counsel, alongside the limitation of liability, indemnity, dispute resolution and governing law clauses this document still needs.