Terms of Service

1. Introduction & Acceptance

Welcome to Hometown Handywomen (“the Platform,” “we,” “us,” or “our”). The Platform is owned and operated by Hometown Handywomen LLC, a New York limited liability company. By creating an account, browsing listings, or booking a service through the Platform, you (“you” or “User”) agree to be bound by these Terms of Service (“Terms”). If you do not agree to these Terms, do not use the Platform.

We may update these Terms from time to time. Continued use of the Platform after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms. We will notify registered users of material changes via email.

2. The Platform — What We Are and What We Are Not

Hometown Handywomen is a general task marketplace that connects clients (“Clients”) with independent handywomen (“Handywomen” or “Providers”) who offer general home maintenance and handywoman services.

We are a platform, not an employer. Hometown Handywomen does not employ, supervise, or direct the work of any Handywoman. Each Handywoman on the Platform is an independent contractor operating her own business. The contractual relationship for any service is between the Client and the Handywoman directly. We facilitate the connection, payment processing, and insurance verification described below — but we do not perform the work and are not a party to the service agreement between Client and Handywoman.

3. Services Offered Through the Platform

The Platform facilitates bookings for general home maintenance tasks that fall below the Home Improvement Contractor licensing threshold. These include, but are not limited to: furniture assembly, TV mounting, shelf and picture hanging, interior and exterior painting (non-structural), yard work and landscaping, seasonal maintenance, organization and decluttering, pressure washing, smart home setup, caulking, weatherstripping, and minor non-structural repairs.

3a. Services NOT Offered Through the Platform

The Platform does not facilitate bookings for work that requires a licensed contractor, including but not limited to: licensed plumbing or electrical work, gas, HVAC, roofing, structural modifications, renovations, remodeling, or any work requiring a building permit. Light like-for-like swaps (such as replacing a light fixture, ceiling fan or faucet) that do not require a licensed electrician or plumber are offered. If you need licensed work, we may refer you to our Trusted Partners Directory, a curated list of vetted, women-owned licensed contractors. Hometown Handywomen is not a party to any engagement with a Trusted Partner.

4. User Accounts

To use the Platform, you must create an account and provide accurate, complete information. You are responsible for maintaining the security of your account credentials and for all activity under your account. You must be at least 18 years old to create an account. Hometown Handywomen reserves the right to suspend or terminate any account at our discretion if we believe these Terms have been violated.

5. Safety Meet & Greet

Every first-time Client–Handywoman pairing requires a Safety Meet & Greet — a brief video or phone call before the first in-person service. The purpose is for both parties to introduce themselves, confirm the scope of work, and ensure mutual comfort. Either party may decline to proceed after the Safety Meet & Greet without penalty. Repeat bookings between the same Client and Handywoman do not require a new Safety Meet & Greet.

6. Pricing, Fees & Payment

Each Handywoman sets her own hourly rate. When you book a service, you will see the Handywoman’s rate multiplied by the estimated hours, plus a Safety, Trust & Insurance Fee. This fee is a separate line item on your invoice and supports safety, vetting (including background checks and insurance verification under Section 7), platform operations, payment processing, customer support, and the Safety Meet & Greet program.

The Handywoman keeps 100% of her hourly rate. The Safety, Trust & Insurance Fee is charged to the Client on top of the Handywoman’s rate and is never deducted from her earnings. Tips are optional and go 100% to the Handywoman.

All payments are processed through Stripe. By using the Platform, you agree to Stripe’s terms of service. Hometown Handywomen does not store your credit card information.

All bookings have a 2-hour minimum.

7. Insurance

7a. Handywoman Insurance Requirements

A Handywoman’s GL policy is intended to respond to third-party bodily injury and property damage that occurs during the performance of a booked service at the Client’s location. We require limits of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate. Before a booking is confirmed, the Platform checks that the Handywoman’s verified policy is in date on the job date and keeps a record of the policy on file for each job. Verification is a check of the certificate; it is not a guarantee that any particular claim will be covered. Hometown Handywomen also carries its own commercial general liability policy for the Platform’s business operations.

7b. What May Not Be Covered

A Handywoman’s policy may not cover, and you should not assume coverage for:

• Work performed outside the Platform. If you hire a Handywoman directly (by phone, text, cash, or any method that bypasses the Platform booking and payment system), there is no verification by us and the job is outside the Platform.
• Work performed before or after the booked time window. Our insurance verification relates only to the confirmed, paid booking.
• Work outside the scope of the booking. If a Handywoman is booked for painting and also fixes a door during the same visit, the door repair may fall outside the verified scope unless it was included in the booking description.
• Intentional damage or gross negligence.
• Pre-existing conditions. Damage or defects that existed before the Handywoman arrived.
• Licensed work performed without a license. If work requiring a contractor license (plumbing, electrical, structural, etc.) is performed through the Platform, it is a violation of these Terms and the Handywoman’s insurance may not respond.
• Work performed for Trusted Partners. Our insurance verification covers only the general task marketplace. Trusted Partners carry their own insurance.

7c. How to Protect Yourself

To keep every job within the Platform’s insurance verification:

• Always book through the Platform.
• Always pay through the Platform.
• Accurately describe the scope of work in the booking.
• Do not request or perform work outside the booked scope without updating the booking.
• Do not request or perform licensed work (plumbing, electrical, structural, etc.).

7d. Filing a Claim

If property damage or bodily injury occurs during a booked job, contact Hometown Handywomen immediately at hello@hometownhandywomen.com. We will help you identify the Handywoman’s insurer on file so you can report the claim to it, and stay involved until it is resolved. Do not attempt to settle a claim privately without contacting us first.

8. Independent Contractor Relationship

Each Handywoman on the Platform is an independent contractor, not an employee of Hometown Handywomen LLC. Handywomen set their own rates, choose their own hours, select which jobs to accept or decline, use their own tools, and control how the work is performed. Hometown Handywomen does not withhold taxes from Handywoman earnings. Handywomen are responsible for their own tax obligations and will receive a 1099 form for annual earnings exceeding the IRS reporting threshold.

9. Shadow a Pro Program

Clients may add the Shadow a Pro option to any booking for an additional $30 per hour. The Handywoman receives $20/hour of this add-on for her teaching time; the Platform receives $10/hour. Shadow a Pro is a hands-on learning experience, not a formal trade apprenticeship or certification program. Participation is voluntary for both Clients and Handywomen. Shadow a Pro is subject to the same insurance terms described in Section 7.

10. Cancellation & Refund Policy

Client cancellations: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the scheduled booking. Cancellations within 24 hours may be subject to a cancellation fee equal to 1 hour of the booked Handywoman’s rate.

Handywoman cancellations: Handywomen may cancel a booking at any time before the job begins. Repeated cancellations may result in account review or suspension.

Refunds: If you are unsatisfied with a completed service, contact us within 48 hours of job completion. We will review the situation and may issue a partial or full refund at our discretion.

11. User Conduct

All Users agree to:

• Treat all other Users with respect and courtesy.
• Provide accurate information in their profiles and bookings.
• Not discriminate against any User on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, or age.
• Not use the Platform for any illegal purpose.
• Not solicit Handywomen or Clients to transact outside the Platform in order to avoid the Safety, Trust & Insurance Fee.
• Not harass, threaten, or abuse any User.

Violation of these conduct standards may result in immediate account suspension or termination.

12. Reviews & Ratings

After each completed booking, both the Client and the Handywoman may leave a review. Reviews should be honest, fair, and based on the actual service experience. Hometown Handywomen reserves the right to remove reviews that contain hate speech, personal attacks, or content unrelated to the service.

13. Intellectual Property

The Hometown Handywomen name, logo, “Safety Meet & Greet,” “Shadow a Pro,” and “Trusted Partners” are trademarks or pending trademarks of Hometown Handywomen LLC. You may not use these marks without our written permission.

14. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, Hometown Handywomen LLC shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising out of or related to your use of the Platform. Our total liability for any claim related to the Platform shall not exceed the amount of fees you have paid to us in the 12 months preceding the claim.

Hometown Handywomen does not guarantee the quality, safety, or legality of any service performed by a Handywoman. We provide the Platform, the Safety Meet & Greet program, the insurance verification described in Section 7, and background check facilitation — but we are not responsible for the Handywoman’s work product.

15. Dispute Resolution

Any disputes arising from these Terms or your use of the Platform shall first be addressed through good-faith negotiation. If negotiation fails, disputes shall be resolved through binding arbitration in the State of New York, in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association. You agree to waive your right to a jury trial and to participate in a class action.

16. Governing Law

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without regard to conflict of law principles.

17. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.

18. Contact Information

Hometown Handywomen LLC
Cold Spring, New York
Email: hello@hometownhandywomen.com
Website: hometownhandywomen.com

For questions about these Terms, insurance, or account issues, please contact us at the email address above.