📜 Terms and Conditions

1. INTRODUCTION

These Terms and Conditions ("Terms") govern your use of the services provided by TradeMatchUK ("we," "our," or "us"), including our website, mobile applications, and any related services or platforms (collectively referred to as the "Services").

By accessing or using our Services, you agree to comply with and be legally bound by these Terms, as well as our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy, which are incorporated by reference. If you do not agree with any part of these Terms, you must immediately stop using the Services. These Terms apply to all users of the Services, including homeowners, tradespeople, and any other visitors or registered users accessing the platform.

1.1. Our Service

TradeMatchUK is an online platform that connects homeowners ("Homeowners") with tradespeople ("Tradespeople") for the purpose of posting jobs and receiving quotes. By using the Services, you acknowledge that we provide the following:

• Tradespeople can create a profile, connect social media, add their phone number, and be listed in our directory. They can show interest in jobs posted by homeowners by messaging them.
• Homeowners can find tradespeople through our directory or post a job, which interested tradespeople can message about.
• Both homeowners and tradespeople to communicate via the built-in chat system.
• Profile customisation options for tradespeople, including details about services, qualifications, and galleries of previous work.

The information provided through the Services is not intended for distribution to or use by any person or entity in any jurisdiction or country where such distribution or use would be contrary to law or regulation or would subject us to any registration requirement within such jurisdiction or country. Users accessing the Services from locations outside the United Kingdom do so at their own initiative and are solely responsible for compliance with local laws.

1.2. Tradesperson use

• Join the directory and make their profile visible to registered homeowners.
• Subscribe to search for and quote on job postings in their selected radius.
• Update their profile details, including their bio, services and image gallery.
• Modify their service area radius at any time.
• Receive homeowner contact details only after being hired for a job.
• Upload required documents for verification, such as ID, public liability insurance and any necessary certifications.
• Complete trade-specific tests to gain access to additional trades or services.
• Upload images of their previous work to their gallery.

1.3. Homeowner use

• Post jobs and receive quotes from tradespeople.
• Communicate with tradespeople via live chat before hiring.
• View tradespeople’s galleries and profiles.

When a homeowner presses the “Hire” button on a tradesperson's profile, the tradesperson will receive the homeowner's contact information. Homeowners and tradespeople are permitted to share contact details via live chat if they agree to do so.

2. Contract formation with Tradespeople

• Account Creation: You will need to create an account to access leads and interact with homeowners.
• Verification Process: You will be required to answer trade-specific questions and provide proof of identity, public liability insurance and any necessary certifications.
• Subscription Plans: After verification, you may select a subscription plan:
• Free Trial: The Services are currently completely free for both homeowners and tradespeople. This is for a limited time, and we reserve the right to change this at any time. Tradespeople will be notified by email before any fees are introduced.
• Future Payment: Only tradespeople will pay for the service. Tradespeople can stop payments at any time by logging into their account and cancelling the subscription.
• Access to Services: When payments are introduced, tradespeople must pay before they can quote on jobs or appear in the directory. No invoices will be issued in advance.
• Automatic Renewal: Subscriptions will automatically renew unless you deactivate them by logging into your account.
• Subscription Changes: You can cancel your subscriptions at any time by logging into your profile and managing your renewals.
• Compliance: By purchasing a subscription, you agree to comply with these Terms and Conditions.

3. Contract formation with Homeowners

• Account Creation: You will need to create an account to post jobs and interact with tradespeople.
• Access to Tradesperson Directory: After account creation, you may browse the directory to find tradespeople near you. You can view tradespeople’s profiles, including their services and previous work galleries.
• Job Posting: After account creation, you may post job listings for tradespeople to view and submit quotes. You agree to provide accurate, complete and truthful information when posting jobs.
• Choosing a Tradesperson: Once your job is posted, registered tradespeople will be able to view your job listing and submit quotes. You can choose which tradesperson to hire based on the quotes and tradesperson profiles.
• Confirmation of Hire: To confirm that you would like to hire a tradesperson, simply press the “Hire” button on their profile. Once selected, both you and the tradesperson will receive each other’s contact number, allowing you to speak directly and arrange the next steps.
• Access to Tradesperson Information: After hiring a tradesperson, you can view their full profile, services, and work gallery. You may also communicate with them directly via the live chat on the platform.
• Communication with Tradesperson: You can communicate with the tradesperson before and after hiring to clarify job details, timelines and expectations. All communication should remain respectful and professional.
• Payment Terms: You are responsible for agreeing on the price, payment terms and schedule with the tradesperson directly. TradeMatchUK does not manage or handle any payments between homeowners and tradespeople.
• Cancellation and Removal of Job Posts: You can remove or update your job posts at any time before hiring a tradesperson. Once a tradesperson is hired, any cancellation or modification of the job will be governed by the terms agreed upon with the tradesperson.
• Platform Limitations: TradeMatchUK is not responsible for the quality, reliability, or performance of the tradesperson’s work. Any issues or disputes must be handled directly between you and the tradesperson. TradeMatchUK is not liable for the outcome of any work performed.
• Compliance: By using the platform, posting jobs and engaging with tradespeople, you agree to comply with these Terms and Conditions.

4. TERMINATION

• Account Deletion: Both homeowners and tradespeople can delete their accounts at any time by logging into the "My Account" section and selecting the "Delete My Account" option. Once deleted, all personal information and account details will be permanently removed from our platform, and you will no longer be able to sign into your account. If you wish to use the platform again after deletion, you will need to create a new account.
• Subscription Management (For Tradespeople): Tradespeople can manage their subscriptions, including stopping automatic renewals, by logging into the "My Account" section and adjusting the subscription settings. Subscriptions will continue until cancelled by the tradesperson and payments for the current billing cycle are non-refundable.
• Data Retention: Please note that even after account deletion, TradeMatchUK may retain certain information for legal, accounting, or regulatory purposes as required by applicable laws, including but not limited to transaction records and communications related to dispute resolution.
• No Refunds: Except as otherwise provided under applicable law, there will be no refunds for any fees or payments made for Services before termination.

5. Refund Policy

• Once subscriptions are introduced, tradespeople will have a 14-day cooling-off period to cancel and request a refund. If a service has been used (such as being hired for a job), no refund will be issued.
• Consumer Rights: In accordance with the UK Consumer Rights Act 2015, you have the right to cancel your subscription within 14 days of the initial payment and receive a full refund (if no service has been used). Once the cooling-off period has ended, the payments for subscriptions are non-refundable, and any future charges will continue unless you cancel your subscription.
• Refund Processing: To request a refund, you must email us at customercare@tradematchuk.co.uk within the 14-day cooling-off period. Refunds, when issued, will be processed back to the original payment method. The refund will be provided within a reasonable period, typically within 14 days of the cancellation request.

6. Your use of our services

Subject to your compliance with these Legal Terms, including the "PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES" section, we grant you a non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable license to:

• Access the Services for the purpose of connecting with tradespeople or homeowners.
• Post job listings and interact with tradespeople, or view tradesperson profiles (for homeowners) for work-related purposes.

This license is granted solely for personal, non-commercial use (for homeowners) or internal business use (for businesses posting job listings or seeking tradespeople). You may not use the platform, services, or content in any manner not expressly permitted by this Agreement.

If we grant you permission to post, reproduce, or publicly display any part of our Services or Content, you must acknowledge us as the owners or licensors of the Services, Content, or Marks, and ensure that any copyright or proprietary notice is included in such posting, reproduction, or display. We reserve all rights not expressly granted to you in this Agreement.

7. Your submissions

Please review this section and the "PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES" section carefully before using our Services to understand:

• The rights you grant us; and
• Your obligations when you post or upload any content through the Services.

By submitting any questions, comments, suggestions, ideas, feedback, or other information about the Services (collectively referred to as "Submissions"), you agree to assign all intellectual property rights in such Submissions to us. You acknowledge that we shall own these Submissions and have the unrestricted right to use and disseminate them for any lawful purpose, commercial or otherwise, without acknowledgment or compensation to you.

You are responsible for your Submissions. By sending us Submissions through any part of the Services, you:

• Confirm that you have read and agree with our "PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES" section, and you will not post, send, publish, upload, or transmit through the Services any Submission that is illegal, harassing, hateful, harmful, defamatory, obscene, bullying, abusive, discriminatory, threatening to any person or group, sexually explicit, false, inaccurate, deceitful, or misleading.
• To the extent permissible by applicable law, waive any and all moral rights to any such Submission.
• Warrant that any such Submissions are original to you, or that you have the necessary rights and licenses to submit such Submissions, and that you have full authority to grant us the aforementioned rights regarding your Submissions.
• Warrant and represent that your Submissions do not constitute confidential information.
• Accept sole responsibility for your Submissions and expressly agree to indemnify us for any and all losses we may suffer due to your breach of:
  • (a) this section,
  • (b) any third party's intellectual property rights,
  • (c) applicable law.

8. Prohibited activities

You may not access or use the Services for any purpose other than the intended use as outlined in these Terms. The Services must not be used in connection with any commercial activities unless specifically approved or endorsed by us. The following activities are strictly prohibited:

• Fraudulent Activities
• Providing false, misleading, or inaccurate information when creating an account or posting job listings.
• Impersonating another individual or entity, or misrepresenting your affiliation with any person, organisation, or entity.
• Unauthorised Use
• Accessing or using the platform for any purpose that is illegal, not authorised by these Terms, or violates applicable laws.
• Attempting to gain unauthorised access to any part of the platform, including user accounts, systems, or networks.
• Harassment and Abuse
• Engaging in any form of harassment, abuse, or intimidation towards other users, including but not limited to threats, hate speech, or inappropriate comments.
• Posting, uploading, or sharing content that is defamatory, obscene, harmful, or otherwise objectionable.
• Spam and Unsolicited Communications
• Sending unsolicited bulk messages (spam) to other users or using the platform to promote commercial activities without prior consent.
• Using the platform to distribute promotional or advertising content without the permission of the platform or the recipient.
• Violating Intellectual Property Rights
• Uploading, posting, or sharing content that infringes upon the intellectual property rights of others, including trademarks, copyrights, or patents.
• Using any proprietary information or content from the platform without proper authorisation.
• Misuse of Payments
• Engaging in any fraudulent activity related to payments, including but not limited to chargebacks or disputes without valid cause.
• Using the platform to process payments for illegal or unauthorised services.
• Manipulating Reviews and Ratings
• Posting fake reviews or ratings, or otherwise manipulating the review or rating system to misrepresent the quality of services, products, or users.
• Encouraging others to post false reviews or ratings or otherwise attempt to distort the integrity of the review process.
• Disrupting the Service
• Interfering with or disrupting the operation of the platform, including introducing viruses, malware, or other harmful code.
• Attempting to disrupt the normal functioning of the Service, including overloading servers, engaging in denial-of-service attacks, or other activities that may harm the platform's infrastructure or services.
• Circumventing the Platform
• Attempting to bypass any security measures, restrictions, or policies implemented by the platform to protect its integrity and security.
• Using automated means (such as bots, scrapers, or crawlers) to access the platform or its data without prior permission.
• Engaging in Illegal Activities
• Using the platform for any illegal activities, including but not limited to money laundering, fraud, drug trafficking, or other criminal enterprises.
• Posting job listings or seeking employment for illegal activities, or otherwise promoting unlawful conduct through the platform.

9. Enforcement and consequences

If you are found to be engaging in any of the prohibited activities listed above, your account may be suspended immediately, and we reserve the right to decline any future applications or requests to use the platform.

Reporting Violations

If you witness or suspect any individuals engaging in prohibited activities or violating these Terms, please report them directly using the ‘Report User’ button available on the platform or by emailing us at customercare@tradematchuk.co.uk.

Legal Action

If you are found to be engaging in any prohibited activities, TradeMatchUK reserves the right to pursue legal action against you. You will be held financially responsible for any losses, damages, or costs incurred by the company as a result of your actions, including but not limited to legal fees, damages, and the costs of any necessary corrective actions to remedy the violation.

10. User generated contributions

The Services may allow users to submit or post content, and we may provide the opportunity for you to create, submit, post, display, transmit, perform, publish, distribute, or broadcast content and materials to us or on the Services, including but not limited to text, writings, videos, audio, photographs, graphics, comments, suggestions, personal information, or other materials (collectively referred to as "Contributions"). Contributions may be visible to other users of the Services and potentially through third-party websites. By creating or making available any Contributions, you represent and warrant that:

• Right to Submit: You have the right to submit such Contributions.
• Compliance with Laws: Your Contributions comply with all applicable laws and do not infringe upon the intellectual property rights or other rights of any third party.

11. Contribution license

You and the Services agree that we may access, store, process, and use any information and personal data that you provide, including your choices and settings. By submitting suggestions or feedback regarding the Services, you grant us the right to use and share such feedback for any purpose without compensation to you.

We do not claim ownership of your Contributions. You retain full ownership of all your Contributions and any associated intellectual property rights or other proprietary rights. However, you are solely responsible for the content of your Contributions, and we are not liable for any statements or representations made in your Contributions.

You agree to indemnify us against any claims or legal actions arising from your Contributions.

12. Services management

We reserve the right, but not the obligation, to:

• Monitor the Services: Monitor the Services for violations of these Legal Terms.
• Take Legal Action: Take appropriate legal action against anyone who, in our sole discretion, violates the law or these Legal Terms, including reporting such users to law enforcement authorities.
• Limit Access: Refuse, restrict access to, limit the availability of, or disable (to the extent technologically feasible) any of your Contributions or any portion thereof at our sole discretion.
• Remove Excessive Content: Remove from the Services or otherwise disable any files or content that are excessively large or burdensome to our systems, without notice or liability.
• Manage the Services: Manage the Services in a manner designed to protect our rights and property and to facilitate the proper functioning of the Services.

13. Limitations of liability

By using our Services, you acknowledge that the service contract is directly between you and the Professional. The Professional is solely responsible for providing the Services to you. TradeMatchUK holds no liability towards you regarding the provision of the Services or your interactions with any listed Professionals on the Website. We are not liable for the following:

• Death or personal injury caused by negligence;
• Fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation;
• Any loss of profits, sales, business, or revenue;
• Business interruptions;
• Loss of expected savings;
• Loss of business opportunity, goodwill, or reputation;
• Any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive losses or damages, whether in contract, tort (including negligence), or otherwise, even if foreseeable;
• Any reliance by you on any information obtained from us or through the Services;
• Any damage arising from your use of or inability to use the Services, including but not limited to any losses related to your data or other information stored on your devices;
• Any unauthorized access to or use of our secure servers and/or any and all personal information stored therein;
• Any interruptions or cessation of transmission to or from the Services;
• Any bugs, viruses, Trojan horses, or the like that may be transmitted to or through the Services by any third party;
• Any errors or omissions in any content and materials or any loss or damage of any kind incurred as a result of the use of any content posted, transmitted, or otherwise made available via the Services.

We bear no responsibility for the content on third-party websites linked from our Website and disclaim any liability for any losses or damages resulting from your use of these websites.

14. Indemnification

You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless us, our subsidiaries, affiliates, and all respective officers, agents, partners, and employees (collectively referred to as "Indemnified Parties") from and against any and all losses, damages, liabilities, claims, or demands, including reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses, arising from any third-party claims due to or related to:

• Your use of the Services;
• Your breach of these Legal Terms;
• Any breach of the representations and warranties you provided in these Legal Terms;
• Your violation of any third-party rights, including, but not limited to, intellectual property rights; or
• Any harmful acts directed at other users of the Services that you may have engaged in while using the Services. Notwithstanding the above, we reserve the right, at your expense, to assume exclusive control over the defense of any matter for which you are obligated to indemnify us.

You agree to cooperate fully with us in such defense. We will make reasonable efforts to notify you of any claims, actions, or proceedings that are subject to this indemnification obligation upon becoming aware of them.

15. User data

We will retain certain data that you transmit to the Services for the purpose of managing performance and functionality. This includes data related to your usage of the Services. While we conduct regular backups of this data, you acknowledge that you are solely responsible for any data you transmit or that pertains to any activities undertaken using the Services. Consequently, you agree that we shall not be liable for any loss or corruption of such data, and you hereby waive any right to pursue claims against us arising from such loss or corruption.

16. Electronic communications, transactions, and signatures

By accessing the Services, sending us emails, and completing online forms, you engage in electronic communications. You consent to receive communications from us electronically, and you agree that all agreements, notices, disclosures, and other communications we provide to you electronically, via email or through the Services, satisfy any legal requirement that such communications be in writing.

You agree to the use of electronic signatures, contracts, orders, and other records, and to the electronic delivery of notices, policies, and records of transactions initiated or completed by us or through the Services. You waive any rights or requirements under any statutes, regulations, rules, ordinances, or other laws in any jurisdiction that require an original signature, the delivery or retention of non-electronic records, or that require payments or credits to be granted by means other than electronic.

By using the Services, you acknowledge and agree to the electronic transaction method, and consent to be bound by the terms, agreements, and contracts completed through electronic means.

17. Miscellaneous

These Legal Terms, along with any policies or operational rules posted by us concerning the Services, constitute the entire agreement and understanding between you and us. Our failure to exercise or enforce any right or provision of these Legal Terms shall not be construed as a waiver of such right or provision.

These Legal Terms will be enforced to the fullest extent permitted by law. We reserve the right to assign any or all of our rights and obligations under these Legal Terms to any party at any time without notice to you.

We shall not be liable for any loss, damage, delay, or failure to act resulting from any cause beyond our reasonable control, including, but not limited to, natural disasters, strikes, or other unforeseen events.

If any provision or part of a provision of these Legal Terms is found to be unlawful, void, or unenforceable, that provision or part will be deemed severable, and the remaining provisions will continue in full force and effect.

No joint venture, partnership, employment, or agency relationship exists between you and us as a result of these Legal Terms or your use of the Services.

You agree that these Legal Terms shall not be construed against us on the basis of having drafted them. Furthermore, you waive any defenses you may have based on the electronic form of these Legal Terms and the absence of signatures by the parties to execute them.

Contact Us

If you need to resolve a general complaint regarding the Services or require further information about using the platform, please contact us at: customercare@tradematchuk.co.uk

For complaints regarding tradespeople or job related concerns, please refer to our dedicated complaints section, which outlines the appropriate steps and process. You can find this by scrolling to the bottom of our website and clicking the "Complaints" link.