Terms of Service

These Terms of Service (the "Terms") are a binding agreement between you and Around the House LLC ("Around the House," "we," "us," or "our") that govern your access to and use of the Around the House website, mobile applications, and services (together, the "Platform"). By creating an account or otherwise accessing or using the Platform, you agree to these Terms and to our Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, do not use the Platform.

Around the House is an online marketplace that connects people who need everyday tasks done ("Homeowners") with independent local workers who offer to perform those tasks ("Helpers"). We provide the technology that lets Homeowners post jobs and Helpers apply, communicate, and get paid. We are a neutral venue only. We do not perform jobs, do not employ Helpers, do not direct or supervise the work, and are not a party to any agreement formed between a Homeowner and a Helper. Any contract for services is solely between the Homeowner and the Helper.

You must be at least 18 years old and able to form a legally binding contract to use the Platform. By using the Platform, you represent that you meet these requirements and that all information you provide is truthful and accurate.

You must register for an account to use most features. You agree to provide accurate information and keep it current, to keep your login credentials confidential, and to accept responsibility for all activity that occurs under your account. Notify us immediately of any unauthorized use. We may suspend or terminate accounts that violate these Terms.

Homeowners. You are responsible for accurately describing your job, setting a fair price, providing a safe environment and truthful information, and treating Helpers with respect. You are responsible for anyone you allow onto your property.

Helpers. You are an independent contractor. You are responsible for confirming you are qualified and legally permitted to perform a job, providing your own tools unless otherwise agreed, holding any licenses or insurance required by law, performing work safely and competently, and paying your own taxes.

Helpers are independent contractors and are not employees, agents, partners, or joint venturers of Around the House. Nothing on the Platform creates an employment relationship between Around the House and any user, and using the Platform does not make a Helper an employee of a Homeowner. Helpers decide whether to accept or decline jobs and control how they perform their work.

We may, but are not obligated to, verify user identities or arrange background checks on Helpers through third-party providers. Any such checks are limited in scope, are not a guarantee of any person's identity, character, safety, or fitness, and should not be relied upon as such. You are solely responsible for using your own judgment before communicating with, hiring, or performing work for any user.

Pricing. Homeowners set the price for each job, which is the amount the Helper earns in full.

Service fee. Around the House charges a service fee equal to 10% of the job price, which is added to and paid by the Homeowner at checkout. Helpers keep 100% of the job price and are not charged a fee.

Payment & escrow. When a Homeowner approves a Helper, the Homeowner's payment method is charged for the job price plus the service fee, and the funds are held by our third-party payment processor until the job is completed and the Homeowner confirms completion, at which point the Helper's earnings are released.

Payouts. Helpers receive their earnings to their designated bank account after completion, subject to processing times.

Processing. Payments are processed by Stripe, Inc. and are subject to Stripe's terms. We do not store full card or bank account numbers.

Taxes. Users are responsible for their own taxes. We may issue tax forms (such as IRS Form 1099) to Helpers as required by law.

Refunds & cancellations. If a job is canceled before completion, held funds are returned to the Homeowner's payment method.

You agree not to: use the Platform for any unlawful purpose; arrange payment off-Platform to avoid fees; post false, misleading, or infringing content; harass, threaten, defame, or discriminate against others; request or perform illegal, unsafe, or prohibited services; or interfere with the Platform's operation or security. We may remove content and suspend or terminate users who violate these rules.

You retain ownership of the content you submit (such as job posts, messages, reviews, and photos), but you grant Around the House a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to use, host, display, and distribute that content to operate, improve, and promote the Platform. Reviews must be honest and based on genuine experiences. You are responsible for your content and represent that you have the rights to share it.

You understand that the Platform facilitates in-person services, which may involve entering homes, using tools, and performing physical tasks, and that these activities carry inherent risks. You voluntarily assume all risks associated with using the Platform and interacting with other users, including risks of property loss or damage and of personal injury.

The Platform and all related services are provided "as is" and "as available," without warranties of any kind, whether express or implied, including any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement. Around the House does not warrant the quality, safety, legality, timeliness, or reliability of any user, job, or service, and does not guarantee that any Helper will perform or that any Homeowner will pay. We do not endorse any user.

To the fullest extent permitted by law:

Around the House LLC is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged property of either party of users, whether it occurs on the job, on a Homeowner's premises, or otherwise.

Around the House LLC is not responsible for any harm, injury, or death caused on or in connection with a job by either party.

Around the House LLC and its owners, members, and employees will not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, or for any loss of profits, data, or goodwill, arising out of or relating to your use of the Platform or your dealings with other users.

To the maximum extent permitted by law, our total liability for any claim arising out of or relating to the Platform will not exceed the greater of the total service fees you paid to Around the House in the six (6) months before the event giving rise to the claim, or $100.

Some jurisdictions do not allow certain limitations or exclusions, so some of the above may not apply to you. Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits liability that cannot be excluded or limited under applicable law.

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Around the House LLC and its owners, members, and employees from and against any claims, damages, losses, liabilities, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of or related to your use of the Platform, your content, your interactions with other users, your performance or receipt of services, or your violation of these Terms or any law or the rights of another.

Any dispute arising from a job is between the Homeowner and the Helper. Around the House is not obligated to become involved but may, at its sole discretion, assist in resolving disputes and may hold or release held funds accordingly.

Disputes with Around the House regarding the Platform shall be governed by the laws of the State of West Virginia. Please contact us first to attempt an informal resolution before pursuing any formal action.

You may stop using the Platform at any time. We may suspend or terminate your access at any time, with or without notice, for any reason, including a violation of these Terms. Provisions that by their nature should survive termination — including payment obligations, disclaimers, limitations of liability, and indemnification — will survive.

The Platform, including the Around the House name, logo, design, and content (excluding user content), is owned by Around the House LLC and is protected by intellectual-property laws. You may not copy, modify, distribute, or use our intellectual property without our prior written permission.

Your use of the Platform is also governed by our Privacy Policy, which explains how we collect, use, and share information.

We may update these Terms from time to time. We will post the updated Terms and, where appropriate, take reasonable steps to notify you. Your continued use of the Platform after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms.

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of West Virginia, without regard to its conflict-of-laws rules.

If any provision of these Terms is found unenforceable, the remaining provisions will remain in full effect. These Terms are the entire agreement between you and Around the House regarding the Platform and supersede any prior agreements. We may assign these Terms; you may not assign them without our consent. Our failure to enforce any provision is not a waiver of it.

Questions about these Terms? Contact Around the House LLC at support@aroundthehouse.app.

By creating an account or using the Platform, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms of Service.