Terms of Service

Acceptance of Terms

By creating an account on or using FairTradeWorker, you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service. If you do not agree to these terms, do not use the platform. FairTradeWorker is operated by Strata Software Group, based in Oxford, Mississippi. These terms apply to all users, including homeowners, contractors, and visitors.

Description of Service

FairTradeWorker is a two-sided marketplace that connects homeowners with licensed, verified contractors for construction, renovation, and home improvement projects. The platform provides tools for job posting, contractor matching, AI-powered cost estimation, in-platform messaging, escrow-based payments, and project management.

FairTradeWorker is not a contractor, general contractor, construction company, or employer. We do not perform construction work, employ contractors, or guarantee the outcome of any project. We are a technology platform that facilitates connections between independent homeowners and independent contractors.

User Accounts

• You must provide accurate, complete, and current information when creating your account. Providing false information is grounds for immediate termination.
• You are responsible for maintaining the security of your account credentials. Notify us immediately if you suspect unauthorized access.
• Each person may maintain only one account. Creating multiple accounts to circumvent restrictions, manipulate reviews, or game the matching system will result in permanent suspension of all associated accounts.
• You must be at least 18 years old to create an account.

Contractor Obligations

• Maintain a valid, active license for your trade in every jurisdiction where you accept work through the platform, where licensure is required by law
• Maintain adequate general liability and workers' compensation insurance as required by your state
• Submit accurate, good-faith bids that reflect the actual scope and cost of the work
• Complete accepted work in a timely, professional manner consistent with industry standards
• Keep your verification status current — expired licenses or lapsed insurance will result in account suspension until updated
• Communicate honestly with homeowners about timelines, costs, and any changes to the original scope

Homeowner Obligations

• Provide accurate, detailed job descriptions including scope of work, property conditions, access requirements, and any known issues that could affect the project
• Fund escrow milestones on time according to the agreed payment schedule
• Respond to contractor communications in a reasonable timeframe
• Submit honest, good-faith reviews based on actual experience with the contractor's work
• Do not use the platform to solicit free estimates with no intent to hire

The FairTrade Promise

FairTradeWorker is built on the principle that both sides of a construction transaction deserve a fair deal. Our commitments:

• No lead fees: Contractors never pay per lead or per bid. Revenue comes from flat-rate subscriptions, not from taxing your pipeline.
• Transparent estimates: Our AI estimation tools give homeowners a realistic baseline so they can evaluate bids with confidence, not confusion.
• Merit-based matching: Contractor visibility is determined by qualifications, track record, and fit — not by who pays the most for placement.
• Escrow protection: Homeowner funds are held in escrow and released at agreed milestones, protecting both parties.

Payments and Escrow

• All project payments are processed through QuickBooks (Intuit). FairTradeWorker does not directly hold, process, or store payment card or bank account information. Funds flow from the homeowner to the contractor's QuickBooks account.
• Payments are milestone-based. Homeowners fund escrow at agreed project milestones, and funds are released to the contractor upon milestone completion and homeowner approval.
• A 3% convenience fee is charged to homeowners on escrow payments to cover payment processing costs.
• Either party may open a dispute within 5 calendar days of a milestone completion claim. During the dispute window, escrowed funds for that milestone are held until the dispute is resolved.
• Contractors are responsible for their own tax obligations. FairTradeWorker will issue 1099 forms where required by law.

Dispute Resolution

We encourage homeowners and contractors to resolve disagreements directly through the platform's messaging system. If direct resolution fails:

1. Internal mediation: Either party may request mediation through FairTradeWorker. Our team will review the dispute, examine project records, messages, and escrow history, and propose a resolution. Both parties must participate in good faith.
2. Binding arbitration: If internal mediation does not resolve the dispute, it will be settled by binding arbitration administered in the State of Mississippi in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association. Each party bears their own arbitration costs.

By using FairTradeWorker, you agree to resolve disputes through this process and waive the right to participate in class action lawsuits or class-wide arbitration against Strata Software Group.

AI Estimation Disclaimer

ConstructionAI, our custom-built estimation model, provides cost estimates based on project parameters, regional data, and historical construction pricing. These estimates are informational tools designed to give homeowners a realistic baseline and help contractors scope projects more efficiently. They are not guarantees, quotes, or binding commitments. Actual project costs are determined by the contractor's bid, which accounts for on-site conditions, material availability, labor markets, and other factors that an AI model cannot fully assess. FairTradeWorker is not liable for differences between AI estimates and final project costs.

Intellectual Property

• The FairTradeWorker platform, including its design, code, branding, ConstructionAI models, and documentation, is the intellectual property of Strata Software Group. You may not copy, modify, distribute, or reverse-engineer any part of the platform.
• Users retain ownership of content they create on the platform, including job descriptions, bids, estimates, reviews, photos, and messages. By posting content, you grant FairTradeWorker a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to display, store, and transmit that content as necessary to operate the platform.
• Reviews and ratings are owned by the user who wrote them but may not be removed solely because they are negative. We reserve the right to remove reviews that violate our content guidelines.

Limitation of Liability

FairTradeWorker provides a marketplace platform. We are not a party to the agreements between homeowners and contractors and are not responsible for the quality, safety, legality, or completion of any construction work arranged through the platform.

To the maximum extent permitted by law, Strata Software Group and its officers, employees, and affiliates shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising from your use of the platform, including but not limited to property damage, personal injury, lost profits, or data loss. Our total liability for any claim related to the platform shall not exceed the amount you paid to FairTradeWorker in the 12 months preceding the claim.

Termination

• You may close your account at any time by contacting us at hello@fairtradeworker.com or through your account settings. Active escrow obligations must be fulfilled before account closure.
• We may suspend or terminate your account for violation of these terms, fraudulent activity, failure to maintain required licenses or insurance, or conduct that harms other users or the platform.
• Upon termination, your profile will be deactivated. We retain transaction records, reviews, and dispute history for 3 years as required for legal and compliance purposes. You may request deletion of non-retained data by contacting us.

Governing Law

These Terms of Service are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Mississippi, without regard to conflict of law principles. Any legal proceedings not subject to the arbitration clause above shall be brought exclusively in the state or federal courts located in Mississippi.

Contact Us

If you have questions about these Terms of Service, contact us at: