1. Acceptance of these Terms
These Terms of Use (“Terms”) are a binding agreement between you and Hire Local Expert (“Hire Local Expert,” “we,” “us,” or “our”). They govern your access to and use of hirealocalexpert.com, related pages, account features, communications, and services (collectively, the “Platform”).
By accessing the Platform, creating an account, posting a project, creating a professional profile, communicating with another user, or otherwise using the Platform, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to these Terms. If you do not agree, do not use the Platform.
2. Our role
Hire Local Expert operates an online marketplace that helps customers locate and communicate with independent local service professionals. We provide technology, profile presentation, project-request tools, and communication features.
We do not perform home, business, repair, construction, maintenance, cleaning, installation, landscaping, electrical, HVAC, carpentry, appliance, or other listed services. We are not a contractor, subcontractor, employer, staffing agency, insurer, guarantor, project manager, architect, engineer, inspector, or agent of any customer or professional.
3. Eligibility
You must be at least eighteen years old and legally capable of entering into a binding agreement. You may use the Platform on behalf of a business only if you have authority to bind that business. You may not use the Platform if your access has been suspended or terminated.
4. Accounts and account security
You agree to provide accurate, current, and complete information and to keep it updated. You are responsible for safeguarding your password or access credentials and for activity occurring through your account. Notify us promptly if you believe an account has been accessed without authorization.
We may require identity, business, licensing, insurance, or other documentation. Requesting or reviewing documentation does not create a guarantee that the information is complete, current, authentic, or legally sufficient.
5. Customers and project requests
Customers may describe projects, upload photographs, select service categories, identify locations, and communicate with professionals. Customers are responsible for the accuracy and legality of all submitted information and for ensuring that they have permission to submit photographs, addresses, and other content.
A project request is not an offer by Hire Local Expert and does not guarantee that any professional will respond. Customers must independently evaluate every professional before hiring.
6. Professionals
Professionals are independent businesses. Each professional controls the services offered, service area, schedule, prices, tools, workers, subcontractors, methods, and whether to accept or reject a project.
Professionals are solely responsible for all licenses, permits, registrations, insurance, taxes, wages, safety requirements, background checks, and legal obligations applicable to their work.
7. No employment or agency relationship
Nothing in these Terms creates an employment, agency, partnership, joint venture, franchise, fiduciary, or representative relationship between Hire Local Expert and any user. No user may make commitments on our behalf.
8. Estimates, contracts, and project terms
Estimates, quotes, pricing, schedules, warranties, deposits, contracts, change orders, and other project terms are determined directly between customers and professionals. Hire Local Expert does not set prices, approve contracts, inspect work, supervise performance, or guarantee an estimate.
Customers should obtain a written contract where appropriate and should confirm the scope, price, payment schedule, materials, permits, warranties, and completion terms before work begins.
9. Payments
Unless we expressly introduce a separate payment feature, payments are made directly between customers and professionals. We do not hold deposits, process refunds, guarantee payment, collect debts, or resolve billing disputes.
10. Licenses, insurance, permits, and verification
Laws and requirements vary by trade and location. Customers are responsible for confirming whether a professional needs a license, registration, permit, bond, or insurance and for independently verifying that information with the appropriate government agency or insurer.
Any badge, profile statement, uploaded document, or status displayed on the Platform is informational only and is not a warranty or endorsement by Hire Local Expert.
11. Reviews and user content
Reviews must describe genuine, firsthand experiences and must not be false, misleading, defamatory, threatening, discriminatory, harassing, unlawful, or submitted in exchange for undisclosed compensation.
You retain ownership of content you submit. You grant Hire Local Expert a worldwide, nonexclusive, royalty-free, sublicensable license to host, store, reproduce, format, display, distribute, and use that content to operate, improve, secure, and promote the Platform. You represent that you have the rights necessary to grant this license.
12. Prohibited conduct
You may not use the Platform to:
- submit false profiles, fake projects, fake reviews, or misleading information;
- impersonate another person or business;
- offer or request illegal, unsafe, or fraudulent services;
- harass, threaten, discriminate against, or exploit another person;
- upload malware or interfere with security or availability;
- scrape, harvest, crawl, or copy Platform data without written permission;
- send spam, phishing, or unauthorized commercial messages;
- infringe privacy, publicity, copyright, trademark, or other rights;
- circumvent account restrictions or create accounts for deceptive purposes.
13. Safety
Customers and professionals are responsible for their own safety. Consider meeting initially during daylight, informing another person of appointments, protecting access codes and financial information, and stopping communication when conduct appears suspicious. Contact emergency services when immediate danger exists.
14. Intellectual property
The Platform, excluding user content, including its software, design, layout, branding, logos, icons, text, databases, and functionality, is owned by or licensed to Hire Local Expert and protected by law. No rights are granted except the limited right to use the Platform under these Terms.
15. Third-party services and links
The Platform may link to third-party websites or rely on third-party hosting, messaging, analytics, or other services. We do not control third-party services and are not responsible for their availability, accuracy, security, or practices.
16. Suspension and termination
We may remove content, restrict access, suspend, or terminate an account when we believe it is necessary to enforce these Terms, comply with law, protect users, prevent fraud or harm, or protect the Platform. We may retain records as permitted or required by law.
17. Disclaimer of warranties
TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, THE PLATFORM IS PROVIDED “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE.” WE DISCLAIM ALL EXPRESS, IMPLIED, AND STATUTORY WARRANTIES, INCLUDING MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, TITLE, NON-INFRINGEMENT, ACCURACY, SECURITY, AND UNINTERRUPTED AVAILABILITY.
WE DO NOT WARRANT OR GUARANTEE ANY PROFESSIONAL, CUSTOMER, PROJECT, PRICE, RESPONSE, LICENSE, INSURANCE, BACKGROUND, WORKMANSHIP, SAFETY, COMPLETION, PAYMENT, OR OUTCOME.
18. Limitation of liability
TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, HIRE LOCAL EXPERT AND ITS OWNERS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, CONTRACTORS, AND AFFILIATES WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES; LOST PROFITS, REVENUE, DATA, OR BUSINESS; PROPERTY DAMAGE; PERSONAL INJURY; DEATH; FRAUD; NEGLIGENCE; DEFECTIVE WORK; DELAYS; MISSED APPOINTMENTS; CODE VIOLATIONS; OR DISPUTES BETWEEN USERS ARISING FROM OR RELATED TO THE PLATFORM OR SERVICES ARRANGED THROUGH IT.
TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, OUR TOTAL LIABILITY FOR ALL CLAIMS ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE PLATFORM WILL NOT EXCEED THE GREATER OF ONE HUNDRED U.S. DOLLARS ($100) OR THE AMOUNT YOU PAID DIRECTLY TO HIRE LOCAL EXPERT FOR USE OF THE PLATFORM DURING THE TWELVE MONTHS BEFORE THE EVENT GIVING RISE TO THE CLAIM.
Some jurisdictions do not permit certain exclusions or limitations, so portions of this section may not apply to you.
19. Indemnification
To the fullest extent permitted by law, you agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless Hire Local Expert and its owners, officers, employees, contractors, and affiliates from claims, losses, liabilities, damages, judgments, penalties, costs, and reasonable attorneys’ fees arising from your content, conduct, services, project, contract, payment dispute, violation of law, violation of these Terms, or infringement of another person’s rights.
20. Governing law and venue
These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of New York, without regard to conflict-of-law principles. Unless applicable law requires otherwise, any court proceeding must be brought in a state or federal court located in Queens County, New York, and each party consents to jurisdiction and venue there.
21. Changes to the Platform or Terms
We may change the Platform or these Terms. The updated date will appear at the top of this page. Material changes may also be communicated through the Platform or by email. Continued use after an effective date constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.
22. General provisions
If a provision is held unenforceable, it will be modified to the minimum extent necessary and the remaining provisions will remain effective. Our failure to enforce a provision is not a waiver. You may not assign these Terms without our written consent. These Terms, together with incorporated policies and applicable account agreements, constitute the entire agreement regarding the Platform.
23. Contact
Questions regarding these Terms may be sent to legal@hirealocalexpert.com.