Better Hour Terms of Service

Better Hour Terms of Service Effective date: August 01, 2025 Last updated: October 06, 2025 This Terms of Service (“Terms”) is a legally binding agreement between you and Better Hour, LLC (“Better Hour,” “we,” “us,” or “our”). By creating an account, using our website or app, or accessing any services we provide (collectively, the “Platform”), you agree to these Terms. If you do not agree, do not use the Platform.

  1. Key Roles & Definitions

Seeker: A user who posts tasks/requests and pays for help. Helper: A user who offers quick, light work to fulfill tasks. Task: A request posted by a Seeker for light work within Platform scope. Booking: A confirmed Task between a Seeker and a Helper on the Platform. Service Fees: The fees Better Hour charges to Seekers and/or Helpers. Stripe: Our third‑party payments provider (Stripe, Inc. and Affiliates). Better Hour is a marketplace and technology platform. We do not employ Helpers, provide the Tasks, supervise work, or guarantee outcomes.

  1. Acceptance of Terms & Click‑Through Agreement

You accept these Terms when you create an account or check an “I agree” box. You also agree to the No Off‑App Payment Policy (Section 8), our Community Guidelines, and our Privacy Policy (collectively, the “Policies”). If you use the Platform on behalf of an organization, you represent that you are authorized to bind that organization. We may update these Terms from time to time. Changes are effective when posted. Material changes will be reasonably highlighted or notified in‑app or by email. Continued use after changes constitutes acceptance.

  1. Eligibility

You must be 18 or older (or the age of majority where you live) and able to form a binding contract. You may not use the Platform if you are barred by applicable law or previously terminated by Better Hour.

  1. Scope of the Platform; Light‑Work Only

Better Hour supports quick, light work (e.g., organizing, errand loops, kids’ gear resets, simple mounting of frames in drywall, changing air filters/bulbs, donation/return drop‑offs). The Platform does not support heavy tools, tall ladders, hazardous tasks, skilled trades (e.g., electrical, plumbing, HVAC), or licensed/permit‑required work. Helpers choose what Tasks they accept and are solely responsible for the work they perform.

  1. Accounts, Verification & Safety

You agree to provide accurate information and keep it updated. We may require identity information or documents and may use third‑party services (e.g., Stripe for KYC, optional background checks) to verify information. Verification does not guarantee safety or suitability. You are solely responsible for evaluating and selecting whom you work with. Safety is shared: Meet in public areas where practical, keep communication in‑app, and do not share unnecessary personal information.

  1. Independent Contractor Status

Helpers are independent contractors. They are not employees, agents, joint venturers, or partners of Better Hour or any Seeker. Helpers control how, when, and where they perform Tasks. Better Hour does not direct or supervise their work and does not provide training, uniforms, or equipment. Helpers are responsible for their own tools, equipment, supplies, and expenses needed to complete Tasks. Helpers are solely responsible for reporting and paying all required taxes, withholdings, and other statutory obligations that apply to their work. By using the Platform, Helpers acknowledge that they are contracting directly with Seekers for each Task. Better Hour is not a party to that contract. Nothing in these Terms shall be construed to create an employment, wage, or benefit relationship between Helpers and Better Hour or between Helpers and Seekers.

  1. Listings, Bookings & Cancellations

Posting: Seekers describe Tasks clearly, including scope, timing, and constraints. Booking: A Booking is created when a Helper accepts a Task and the Seeker confirms. Changes: Material scope changes require new or updated Bookings. Cancellations: Each side may cancel per Platform policy. Fees may apply for late cancellations or no‑shows. Time Tracking: Where enabled, time is logged in‑app and approved by the Seeker.

  1. Non‑Circumvention & No Off‑App Payment Policy

All communications, bookings, and payments for Tasks first introduced through the Platform must remain on the Platform. You agree not to request, accept, or make payment for such Tasks outside the Platform, and not to solicit or encourage off‑Platform transactions. This restriction applies during your use of the Platform and for 12 months after your last interaction with the relevant user. Enforcement & Remedies: We may suspend or terminate accounts for suspected or confirmed off‑Platform transactions. At our option, we may assess a Conversion Fee equal to the greater of 25% of the estimated off‑Platform amount or $500 to compensate for lost fees and the cost of enforcement. We may review in‑app communications (human or automated tools) for policy enforcement and trust/safety. Attestations: You may be asked to re‑confirm this policy at account creation, first booking, and first payout. Refusal may disable access to booking or payouts.

  1. Fees, Payments & Taxes

Pricing: Helpers may set rates; Seekers see an estimated total before booking.

Platform Fees: Fees are shown before you book or complete a Task.

Seeker Booking Fee: Seekers pay a flat $4.95 booking fee on each Booking. This fee covers trust & safety, customer support, secure payments, and platform operations.

Helper Platform Fee: Helpers pay a platform fee of 8% of the Task amount; this amount is deducted from the Helper’s payout.

Fee Changes: We may change fees from time to time. We will post updated fees in the Platform and note the effective date, and fee changes apply only to Bookings created after the effective date. If changes are material, we will provide reasonable advance notice (e.g., in-app or email).

Payments: Payments are processed by Stripe. You authorize Better Hour and Stripe to charge your payment method for the total amount (Task price, fees, applicable taxes, and adjustments).

Payouts: Helpers must complete Stripe Connect onboarding. Payout timing and limits are determined by Stripe and applicable law.

Taxes: Helpers are solely responsible for assessing and paying applicable taxes (e.g., income, self‑employment, sales/use, if any). Better Hour does not withhold or remit taxes on Helpers’ behalf, except where required by law.

  1. Refunds, Adjustments & Disputes

If an issue arises, contact the other party via in‑app chat and involve Better Hour support promptly. We may, in our discretion, facilitate reasonable partial refunds, credits, or re‑work, but we are not obligated to resolve any dispute or provide a refund. Our decision (if any) to issue a refund or credit is final.

  1. Ratings & Reviews

After a Booking, users may leave ratings/reviews that must be truthful and respectful. We may moderate or remove content that violates Policies, but we do not edit to change meaning. Reviews are opinions of users, not of Better Hour.

  1. User Conduct & Prohibited Activities

You agree not to: Violate any law, regulation, or third‑party right. Perform work beyond light‑work scope or requiring licenses/permits. Use bots, scrape, reverse engineer, or interfere with Platform operation. Harass, discriminate, or engage in unsafe, fraudulent, or deceptive behavior. Share others’ personal information without consent. Circumvent the Platform, including the No Off‑App Payment Policy.

  1. Content & Intellectual Property

You retain rights in content you submit (“User Content”). You grant Better Hour a non‑exclusive, worldwide, royalty‑free license to host, display, and use User Content to operate and improve the Platform. Better Hour’s content, trademarks, and technology are protected by law; you may not use them without permission. If you believe content infringes your rights, contact us with details; we may respond under applicable IP laws.

  1. Third‑Party Services (Stripe, Identity, Maps, etc.)

The Platform integrates third‑party services (e.g., Stripe for payments, optional ID verification, mapping). Your use of such services may be subject to their terms and privacy policies (e.g., Stripe Services Agreement and Stripe Connect terms). Better Hour is not responsible for third‑party services.

  1. Background Checks (Helpers)

A. Background Screening; Condition of Access Access to publish listings and accept bookings on the Platform is conditioned on completing and maintaining a satisfactory third-party background check conducted by our consumer-reporting agency (“CRA”), Checkr, Inc. We may require re-checks or ongoing monitoring as permitted by law. Failure to complete screening or maintain eligibility may result in denial, suspension, or termination of access.

B. Separate Disclosure and Authorization You will be redirected to Checkr’s hosted workflow to review a standalone disclosure and provide written authorization for the background check. You agree to complete that process and to provide information truthfully.

C. Use of Results; Adverse Action We may rely on background-check results to make Platform-access decisions. If we consider taking any action based in whole or in part on a report (e.g., denial, suspension), we will follow applicable law, including providing pre-adverse and adverse-action notices, a copy of the report, and a summary of rights. You may dispute any inaccuracy with the CRA, and we will pause final action for a legally reasonable period.

D. Equal Opportunity; Individualized Review We do not make decisions based on protected characteristics. Any consideration of criminal history will be job-related and consistent with business necessity and will include an individualized assessment of relevant factors (nature and gravity of the offense, time since the event, and the nature of the role).

E. “Verified” Badge Disclaimer Any “Verified,” “Background Checked,” or similar badge indicates that a screening was completed at a point in time. It is not a guarantee of future conduct, ongoing status, or safety.

F. Fees A one-time verification fee may apply. We may charge this at onboarding or deduct it from your first payout. We may reimburse or credit this fee based on milestones communicated in the Platform.

G. Data Handling We generally retain only your screening status (e.g., clear/consider), the CRA reference ID, and related timestamps. We do not store full reports or Social Security numbers in our systems. The CRA maintains the report and associated sensitive data.

H. Cooperation; Accuracy You agree to cooperate with reasonable requests related to screening and to keep your information accurate and up to date. Misrepresentation or identity fraud may result in removal from the Platform.

  1. Damage, Insurance & Assumption of Risk

Better Hour does not provide insurance for Seekers or Helpers. You are solely responsible for your actions and property. Seekers should secure valuables and provide safe working conditions; Helpers should work within their competence and scope. You knowingly assume risks inherent in meeting or working with others.

  1. Disclaimer of Warranties

THE PLATFORM AND ANY SERVICES ARRANGED THROUGH IT ARE PROVIDED “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE.” BETTER HOUR DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON‑INFRINGEMENT, AND ANY WARRANTIES ARISING FROM COURSE OF DEALING OR USAGE OF TRADE. WE DO NOT GUARANTEE ANY SPECIFIC OUTCOME, AVAILABILITY, OR ERROR‑FREE OPERATION.

  1. Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, BETTER HOUR AND ITS AFFILIATES, OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AND AGENTS WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, OR FOR LOSS OF PROFITS, DATA, GOODWILL, OR REPUTATION, ARISING FROM OR RELATED TO THE PLATFORM OR THESE TERMS, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY. OUR TOTAL LIABILITY FOR ANY CLAIMS WILL NOT EXCEED THE GREATER OF (A) $100 OR (B) THE AMOUNT YOU PAID TO BETTER HOUR IN THE 12 MONTHS PRECEDING THE CLAIM. SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW CERTAIN LIMITATIONS; SOME LIMITS MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.

  1. Indemnification

You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless Better Hour and its affiliates, officers, directors, employees, and agents from and against all claims, liabilities, damages, losses, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising from or related to: (a) your use of the Platform; (b) your User Content; (c) your violation of these Terms or the Policies; or (d) your interactions with other users.

  1. Termination & Suspension

We may suspend or terminate your account or access to the Platform at any time with or without notice if we believe you violated these Terms or for any reason. You may stop using the Platform at any time. Upon termination, the license granted to you ends, but Sections that by their nature should survive (e.g., payments due, IP, indemnity, disclaimers, limitations, dispute resolution) will survive.

  1. Dispute Resolution; Binding Arbitration (AAA); Class Action Waiver (U.S.)

Please read carefully. This section affects how disputes are resolved. Mutual Agreement to Arbitrate. Except for (i) individual claims in small-claims court and (ii) requests for temporary or preliminary injunctive relief in aid of arbitration, you and Better Hour agree that any dispute, claim, or controversy arising out of or relating to these Terms or the Platform (collectively, “Disputes”) will be resolved exclusively by binding arbitration and not in court. Administrator & Rules. The arbitration will be administered by the American Arbitration Association (AAA) under its Consumer Arbitration Rules then in effect (the “AAA Rules”), including any applicable AAA Mass Arbitration protocols/supplements. The AAA Rules are available at www.adr.org or by calling AAA. The Federal Arbitration Act (FAA) governs the interpretation and enforcement of this Section. Arbitrator & Venue. Arbitration will be conducted before a single, neutral arbitrator. Venue will be Dallas County, Texas or the county of your residence, at your election. Proceedings may be conducted by videoconference/teleconference or on the papers where appropriate, as determined by the arbitrator. The arbitrator has the authority to resolve all threshold issues, including arbitrability, scope, and enforceability of this Section, consistent with the AAA Rules. Fees & Costs. Consumer filing fees are capped as provided in the AAA Consumer Fee Schedule. Better Hour will pay all remaining AAA administrative, case-management, and arbitrator fees as required by the AAA Rules. The arbitrator may award fees/costs only as permitted by law and the AAA Rules (e.g., for frivolous or bad-faith claims). Individual Basis Only. Class and representative actions are not permitted. Disputes must be brought in an individual capacity, not as a plaintiff or class member in any purported class, collective, consolidated, private attorney-general, or representative proceeding. The arbitrator may not consolidate claims of multiple persons or preside over any form of representative/class proceeding. If this class-action waiver is found unenforceable, this Section 21 will be void as to that claim, which must then proceed in court; the remainder of this Section will continue to apply to other claims. Opt-Out. You may opt out of this arbitration agreement within 30 days of first accepting these Terms by sending an email to legal@betterhour.com with subject “Arbitration Opt-Out” and your account email, full name, and a statement that you elect to opt out. Your opt-out will apply only to you. Opting out does not affect other provisions of the Terms. Small-Claims Court. Either party may pursue an individual claim in small-claims court with jurisdiction over the claim instead of arbitration, so long as the matter remains an individual (non-class) action. Severability & Survival. Except as provided above regarding the class-action waiver, if any part of this Section is found unenforceable, the remainder will be enforced to the maximum extent permitted. This Section survives termination of your account or these Terms. Governing Law & Venue for Non-Arbitrable Claims. These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Texas (without regard to conflicts rules). For any dispute that is not subject to arbitration, the exclusive venue is the state or federal courts located in Dallas County, Texas, and both parties consent to personal jurisdiction there.

  1. Electronic Communications & E‑Sign Consent

You consent to receive communications electronically (email, in‑app messages). Checking an “I agree” box and clicking buttons to accept constitutes your electronic signature and agreement.

  1. Privacy

Our collection and use of personal information are described in our Privacy Policy. You agree that we may process and share information as outlined there and as necessary to operate the Platform (including with Stripe and verification providers).

  1. Miscellaneous

Entire Agreement: These Terms, the Policies, and any rules or guidelines posted in the Platform constitute the entire agreement between you and Better Hour. Severability: If any provision is unenforceable, the remainder remains in effect. No Waiver: Failure to enforce is not a waiver. Assignment: You may not assign without our consent. We may assign these Terms in connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets. Headings: Headings are for convenience only.

Appendix A — Category Guardrails (Light‑Work Scope)

No special equipment: No power washing, carpet machines, or power tools beyond basic hand tools. No tall ladders: Step stool only; no roof/gutter work or elevated exteriors. No skilled trades: No electrical, plumbing, HVAC, appliance repair, roofing, pest control, or work requiring a license or permit. No heavy installs or moves: No TV mounting, heavy shelving, or large furniture moving. No hazardous cleanup: No mold, bodily fluids, chemicals, asbestos, or similar hazards. Seekers supply consumables: Filters, bulbs, labels, cleaning products; Helpers may bring basic hand tools.

Contact Better Hour, LLC: support@betterhour.com