Handy Circle Terms of Service

1. Acceptance of the Terms

By clicking "I agree" (or a similar button or checkbox), creating an account, posting a job, booking a Pro, or otherwise accessing or using the Platform, you affirm that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms and by our Privacy Policy. This is a "clickwrap" agreement: your affirmative action constitutes your electronic signature and assent.

Your continued access to or use of the Platform after any updated version of these Terms becomes effective constitutes your acceptance of the updated Terms. If you use the Platform on behalf of another person or a household, you represent that you are authorized to accept these Terms on their behalf, and you and that person or household are jointly and severally bound.

You are responsible for all activity that occurs under your account, including activity by anyone you permit to use your account or device.

2. Eligibility

To use the Platform, you must:

• Be at least eighteen (18) years of age and have the legal capacity to enter into a binding contract;
• Reside in, and seek services within, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, which is currently Handy Circle's exclusive service area (job locations must resolve to a valid Massachusetts address);
• Not be barred from receiving services or using the Platform under any applicable law; and
• Not have been previously suspended, blocked, or removed from the Platform.

The Platform is not directed to, and may not be used by, anyone under 18. By using the Platform you represent and warrant that you meet all eligibility requirements. Handy Circle may refuse, suspend, or terminate access to anyone who does not meet these requirements or who provides false eligibility information.

3. Electronic Signatures & Records (E-SIGN / UETA / Massachusetts UETA)

You consent to transact business with Handy Circle electronically and to the use of electronic signatures, contracts, records, and disclosures. You agree that your electronic assent, clicks, and submissions have the same legal force and effect as a handwritten signature under the federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (E-SIGN), the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (UETA), and the Massachusetts Uniform Electronic Transactions Act.

You consent to receive all communications, agreements, notices, disclosures, receipts, and other records ("Communications") from us electronically, including by email to the address associated with your account, by SMS, by push notification, or by posting within the Platform. Electronic Communications are deemed received when sent or posted.

Withdrawing consent and requesting paper copies

You may withdraw your consent to receive Communications electronically, or request a paper copy of any record, by emailing hello@handy-circle.com. Withdrawing consent may prevent you from using some or all of the Platform, and we may suspend or close your account if we can no longer communicate with you electronically.

Hardware and software requirements

To access and retain electronic Communications, you need a device with internet access, a current web browser or a compatible version of our mobile application, a valid email address, and sufficient storage or the ability to print. By proceeding, you confirm that your system meets these requirements.

4. Definitions

• "Platform," "Site," and "App" mean the Handy Circle websites, mobile applications, application programming interfaces, and related services.
• "Customer" means a user who posts a Job, books, or otherwise engages a Pro through the Platform.
• "Pro," "Service Professional," or "Service Provider" means an independent third-party professional who offers or performs Services and who has accepted the Service Provider Agreement.
• "Services" means the home-improvement, repair, maintenance, cleaning, installation, and other in-home or property-related services offered by Pros.
• "Job" means a request for Services posted by a Customer, including its description, address, photos, and details.
• "Booking" means a scheduled, agreed engagement between a Customer and a Pro for a Job.
• "Quote" or "Estimate" means a price a Pro proposes for a Job.
• "Content" means any text, photographs, reviews, ratings, messages, or other material submitted to or through the Platform.
• "Fees" means all amounts payable through the Platform, including the price of Services and the Service Fee.
• "Service Fee" means the Handy Circle platform fee described in Section 8.
• "Guarantee" means the discretionary Handy Circle Guarantee described in Section 20.
• "Account Credits" or "Credits" means promotional or goodwill balances issued by Handy Circle as described in Section 10.
• "Privacy Policy" means the Handy Circle Privacy Policy, incorporated by reference.
• "Service Provider Agreement" means the separate agreement governing Pros.

5. The Platform's Role — Neutral Marketplace

HANDY CIRCLE IS A TECHNOLOGY PLATFORM AND ONLINE MARKETPLACE ONLY. Handy Circle provides a neutral venue that enables Customers to discover, communicate with, book, and pay independent third-party Pros. Handy Circle does not perform, and is not in the business of performing, home-improvement, repair, cleaning, or other in-home services.

You expressly acknowledge and agree that:

• HANDY CIRCLE DOES NOT PROVIDE THE SERVICES. The Services are provided solely by independent Pros who are not employees, agents, partners, joint venturers, franchisees, or representatives of Handy Circle.
• HANDY CIRCLE IS NOT A PARTY TO THE SERVICE CONTRACT. When a Customer engages a Pro, a direct contract for the Services is formed between the Customer and the Pro. Handy Circle is not a party to that contract and assumes no responsibility or liability for the Services or for the acts or omissions of any Pro or Customer.
• HANDY CIRCLE DOES NOT SUPERVISE, DIRECT, OR CONTROL the Pros or the manner, method, means, schedule, tools, pricing, or performance of any Services.
• HANDY CIRCLE IS NOT A CONTRACTOR, GENERAL CONTRACTOR, HOME-IMPROVEMENT CONTRACTOR, BUILDER, EMPLOYMENT AGENCY, OR STAFFING AGENCY, and does not guarantee that any Pro will accept, perform, or complete any Job.
• Any dispute, claim, or loss arising from the Services or from a Customer's dealings with a Pro is solely between the Customer and the Pro.

The neutral-marketplace nature of Handy Circle is fundamental to these Terms and to the pricing of the Service Fee, and it informs the disclaimers, releases, and limitations of liability set out below.

6. Accounts & Registration

To access certain features you must create an account. You agree to provide accurate, current, and complete information (including your name, email, phone number, and, where applicable, your service address and payment method) and to keep it updated. Phone numbers may be verified by SMS one-time passcode, and email addresses by confirmation link.

You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your login credentials and for all activity under your account. You must notify us immediately at hello@handy-circle.com of any unauthorized use or suspected breach. You may maintain only one account unless we authorize otherwise. We may enable optional biometric unlock (Face ID / Touch ID); this authentication occurs entirely on your device, and Handy Circle never receives, collects, or stores any biometric identifier.

We may suspend, restrict, or terminate an account, and refuse service, for any reason permitted by law, including if information is inaccurate, incomplete, fraudulent, or if we detect misuse or risk to the community.

7. How It Works

A Customer describes a Job (optionally using Handy Circle's AI-assisted description and triage tools, which help draft or categorize a request), provides an address, and may add photos. To help keep contact on-platform, we redact email addresses and phone numbers from job descriptions, quotes, and in-app messages. A Customer's exact address may be hidden from Pros until a Booking is confirmed.

The Platform helps match the Job to available Pros, who may submit Quotes, ask questions through in-app messaging, and schedule the work. Prices, scope, quality, timing, and the terms of the Services are set and agreed directly between the Customer and the Pro. While a Pro is en route, the Pro's approximate real-time location may be shown to the Customer for coordination and safety.

After the Services are performed, the Pro marks the Job complete, payment is released as described in Section 8, and the Customer and Pro may review and rate one another. Handy Circle's role is limited to facilitating discovery, communication, scheduling, and payment; it does not warrant, endorse, or guarantee any Pro, Quote, or outcome.

8. Fees, Payments & Authorization to Charge

Pricing and the Service Fee

The price of the Services is the amount quoted and agreed by the Pro (the "Service Price"). Handy Circle charges a Service Fee equal to twenty percent (20%) of the Service Price, added ON TOP of the Service Price. This means the Pro keeps one hundred percent (100%) of the Pro's quoted Service Price, and the Customer pays the Service Price plus the 20% Service Fee. The applicable Service Fee is displayed to you before you confirm payment. Handy Circle may adjust the Service Fee percentage prospectively; the rate shown at the time you confirm a Booking governs that Booking.

The Service Fee is Handy Circle's compensation for operating the Platform and covers, among other things, payment processing, account and payout infrastructure, customer support, trust and safety operations, and refunds.

Payment processing (Stripe)

Payments are processed by Stripe, Inc. and its affiliates. By making a payment, you also agree to Stripe's applicable terms and privacy policy. Card details are collected on Stripe's hosted checkout; Handy Circle does not store your full payment card number or security code, and retains only limited information such as card brand, last four digits, expiration, and a payment-method token.

Authorization to charge

You authorize Handy Circle and its payment processor to charge your designated payment method for the Service Price, the Service Fee, applicable taxes, cancellation fees, and any other amounts you owe. You authorize us to place pre-authorization holds, to save your payment method for future transactions, and to RE-CHARGE OR RETRY a payment method if an initial charge fails, is reversed, or is disputed. You represent that you are authorized to use the payment method you provide.

Escrow-style handling and release of funds

When you pay for a Job, funds are generally held on the Platform's balance and are not released to the Pro until the Job is completed. The Pro's share is transferred to the Pro upon completion. If the Pro marks a Job complete and you neither confirm nor raise an issue, payment may be auto-confirmed and released after a defined period (currently one (1) hour after completion, subject to change). Receipts are provided electronically. All amounts are in U.S. dollars.

9. Taxes

You are responsible for all taxes (including any applicable sales or use tax) associated with the Services you purchase, except for taxes based on Handy Circle's net income. Pros are independent contractors responsible for their own tax obligations, including income and self-employment taxes, and for any sales tax they are required to collect and remit on the Services.

Handy Circle does not calculate, collect, or remit sales or use tax on the Services except where it is legally required to do so, in which case the applicable tax will be shown at checkout. Amounts displayed may not include all taxes that the Pro is separately obligated to charge.

10. Cancellations, No-Shows, Refunds, Cancellation Fees & Credits

Customer cancellations and the cancellation fee

You may cancel a Booking through the Platform. A cancellation is treated as a "late cancellation" if it occurs within approximately four (4) hours of the scheduled start time OR on the same local calendar day (America/New_York) as the scheduled start. For a late cancellation, a cancellation fee of twenty-five percent (25%) of the amount you actually paid (net of any discounts or Credits applied) may be withheld from your refund. Cancellations made earlier than the late-cancellation window are eligible for a full refund of the Service Price and Service Fee.

Pro-initiated cancellations and no-shows

If a Pro cancels, or fails to appear for a scheduled Booking (a "no-show"), you are entitled to a full refund of amounts paid for that Booking. Handy Circle may, in its discretion, help you rebook another Pro, but does not guarantee availability, price, or timing.

Refund mechanics

Refund eligibility and amounts are computed by Handy Circle based on amounts actually paid (after discounts), not on any list or sticker price, and are processed through Stripe. Refunds may take several business days to appear depending on your bank or card issuer. Where a refund cannot be immediately completed, it is queued and retried so it is not lost.

Account Credits

Handy Circle may issue Account Credits, which represent real, spendable balance applied at checkout. Unless stated otherwise: Credits are non-transferable, have no cash value except as applied to eligible Bookings, may not be redeemed for cash, may expire, and may be reduced, suspended, or revoked in cases of suspected fraud, abuse, or violation of these Terms. Credits reserved for a Booking that is later cancelled may be refunded back to your balance.

11. Referrals & Promotions

Handy Circle may offer referral and promotional programs. Under the current referral program, a referred new Customer may receive a single-use discount toward a first Job, and the referring user may earn a reward (currently a default of ten dollars ($10) in Credit) that is granted only after the referred Customer's first Job is paid. Rewards may be reserved at checkout and reversed if the underlying Job is voided or refunded. Only one referral applies per referred Customer.

Promotional codes and referral rewards are non-transferable, may not be combined unless expressly permitted, have no cash value, and are void where prohibited. Handy Circle may modify, suspend, or terminate any referral or promotional program, and may withhold, reverse, or revoke rewards, at any time, including for suspected self-referral, fraud, or abuse.

12. Chargebacks & Payment Disputes

If you believe a charge is incorrect or you are dissatisfied, you agree to contact Handy Circle first at hello@handy-circle.com before initiating a chargeback or payment dispute with your bank or card issuer, so we can attempt to resolve the matter. Initiating a chargeback does not relieve you of your obligation to pay amounts legitimately owed.

You agree that filing a wrongful, fraudulent, or bad-faith chargeback (including for Services actually received) is a breach of these Terms. In such cases we may, to the extent permitted by law: suspend or terminate your account; reverse or revoke Credits or rewards; recover the disputed amount and associated fees, including through collection efforts; and dispute the chargeback with evidence. You agree to reasonably cooperate with our resolution of any payment dispute.

13. Independent Professionals; No Endorsement; Screening Limitations

PROS ARE INDEPENDENT THIRD PARTIES. HANDY CIRCLE DOES NOT EMPLOY, ENDORSE, RECOMMEND, GUARANTEE, OR WARRANT ANY PRO, OR ANY PRO'S QUALIFICATIONS, LICENSING, INSURANCE, WORK, BACKGROUND, CONDUCT, OR OUTCOME. The presence of a Pro on the Platform, any badge, rating, response-time indicator, or ranking, is not a guarantee, certification, or endorsement of that Pro.

What limited verification we perform

To the extent Handy Circle conducts any verification or screening, it is limited, point-in-time, not continuous, and NOT a guarantee of any Pro's identity, honesty, competence, safety, licensing, insurance, or fitness. Where enabled, our limited measures may include: identity verification through Stripe Identity (government-ID document plus a matching selfie); onboarding through Stripe Connect for payouts; a manual review of a self-uploaded trade license for certain licensed trades only (currently electrical, plumbing, and HVAC); collection of self-reported information (such as services offered and years of experience); and community reviews and ongoing monitoring.

What we do NOT verify

Except as expressly stated above, Handy Circle does NOT independently verify a Pro's credentials, licensing, permits, insurance, bonding, workmanship, criminal or driving history, immigration or work eligibility, or the accuracy of any self-reported information. Any screening that occurs is limited and does not guarantee your safety or satisfaction.

Your responsibility

YOU ARE SOLELY RESPONSIBLE for exercising your own judgment and due diligence before, during, and after engaging any Pro, including confirming that the Pro holds any license, registration (such as a Massachusetts Home Improvement Contractor registration where applicable), permit, or insurance required for your Job, obtaining written contracts and warranties directly from the Pro, and supervising access to your home. You engage Pros at your own risk.

14. User Conduct / Prohibited Uses

You agree not to, and not to permit anyone to:

• Use the Platform for any unlawful, fraudulent, deceptive, or harmful purpose;
• Harass, threaten, defame, stalk, discriminate against, or harm any Pro, Customer, or Handy Circle personnel;
• Provide false, misleading, or impersonating information, or create an account for anyone other than yourself without authorization;
• Post content that is illegal, infringing, obscene, or that you lack the right to post;
• Interfere with, disrupt, overload, or attempt to gain unauthorized access to the Platform or its systems;
• Scrape, crawl, harvest, index, reverse-engineer, decompile, or create derivative works from the Platform except as permitted by law;
• Circumvent, disable, or interfere with security, redaction, payment, or verification features;
• Misuse payments, Credits, referrals, refunds, or the dispute process, or engage in money laundering;
• Use the Platform to solicit or conduct business off-platform in violation of Section 15; or
• Use the Platform in any way that violates these Terms, the Privacy Policy, or applicable law.

We may investigate and take any action we deem appropriate, including removing content, restricting features, and suspending or terminating accounts.

15. Non-Circumvention

The Platform's value depends on transactions occurring, and Fees being paid, through the Platform. Accordingly, you agree that you will NOT, directly or indirectly:

• Arrange, solicit, accept, or make payment for Services outside the Platform in order to avoid or reduce the Service Fee;
• Request or provide contact information, or otherwise attempt to move communications or payment off-platform, for a Pro or Job first introduced to you through the Platform, for the purpose of circumventing Fees;
• Continue or re-engage, off-platform, a working relationship with a Pro first sourced through the Platform in order to avoid Fees; or
• Solicit, divert, or induce any Pro to transact off-platform in violation of this Section.

This restriction applies during your use of the Platform and for twelve (12) months after your last interaction with a given Pro through the Platform. If you circumvent the Platform in violation of this Section, you agree that Handy Circle may, to the extent permitted by law, charge you an administrative amount equal to the Service Fee that would have applied to the circumvented transaction(s) as liquidated damages (the parties agreeing that actual damages would be difficult to calculate and that this is a reasonable estimate), suspend or terminate your account, and pursue other available remedies. THIS SECTION SURVIVES the closure or termination of your account. The parties intend this Section to be enforced to the maximum reasonable extent; if a court finds any part overbroad, it shall be enforced to the extent permitted.

16. User Content & Reviews

You retain ownership of Content you submit, but you grant Handy Circle a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, fully paid, transferable, and sublicensable license to host, store, reproduce, modify (for formatting), display, distribute, and otherwise use your Content in connection with operating, improving, and promoting the Platform. This license survives termination with respect to Content already submitted.

Reviews and ratings

Reviews and ratings must be honest, authentic, and based on genuine, first-hand experience. You may not post fake, incentivized (except as we permit), defamatory, or manipulated reviews, or reviews you were paid or coerced to write. Handy Circle publishes only genuine reviews and does not fabricate ratings.

Moderation and no duty to monitor

We may, but are not obligated to, monitor, screen, edit, remove, or refuse Content, in our discretion and without notice, including Content that violates these Terms. We are not responsible or liable for Content provided by users. Consistent with Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, Handy Circle acts as an interactive computer service and is not the author or publisher of Content created by users; users are solely responsible for their own Content.

17. Communications Consent (Email, SMS/TCPA, Push, Marketing)

By providing your contact information and using the Platform, you consent to receive Communications from Handy Circle and its service providers, including transactional and operational messages (such as account, verification, booking, payment, and support messages) by email, SMS, and push notification.

SMS / text messaging (TCPA)

By providing a mobile number and opting in, you provide your EXPRESS CONSENT to receive text messages from or on behalf of Handy Circle at that number, including messages sent using an automatic telephone dialing system or similar technology, for verification, account, booking, and (where you opt in) marketing purposes. Consent to receive marketing texts is NOT a condition of purchasing any goods or services. Message and data rates may apply, and message frequency varies. You may opt out of texts at any time by replying STOP, and get help by replying HELP. Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages. We honor opt-outs promptly. Mobile opt-in data is not shared or sold to third parties for their own marketing; see the Privacy Policy.

Push notifications and marketing email

You can control push notifications through your device settings. Marketing emails include an unsubscribe mechanism; you may opt out of marketing at any time, though we may still send transactional Communications. Newsletter and promotional email subscriptions are opt-in. Where calls or messages are recorded or monitored for quality or training, we will disclose this as required by law.

18. Intellectual Property

The Platform, including its software, design, text, graphics, logos, the "Handy Circle" name and marks, and all related intellectual property, is owned by Handy Circle or its licensors and is protected by law. Subject to your compliance with these Terms, we grant you a limited, revocable, non-exclusive, non-transferable, non-sublicensable license to access and use the Platform for your personal, non-commercial use of receiving Services.

You may not copy, modify, distribute, sell, lease, reverse-engineer, or create derivative works from any part of the Platform, or use our marks, without our prior written permission. If you provide feedback, suggestions, or ideas about the Platform, you grant Handy Circle a perpetual, irrevocable, worldwide, royalty-free license to use them without restriction or compensation.

19. Third-Party Services & Links

The Platform relies on and links to third-party services, including Stripe (payments, payouts, and identity verification), Twilio (SMS verification), Resend and OpenPhone (messaging), Cloudflare R2 (media storage), Google (Places and mapping/ETA), Anthropic's Claude (AI description and triage features), Apple (app distribution and Sign in with Apple), and additional hosting, infrastructure, analytics, and advertising providers described in our Privacy Policy. Our Privacy Policy contains the fuller and controlling list of the service providers and processors we use, and this Section is not intended to be exhaustive.

Your use of third-party services may be governed by their own terms and privacy policies. Handy Circle does not control and is not responsible for third-party services, their availability, or their content, and your dealings with them are at your own risk. Some features are dependent on third-party availability and may change or be unavailable.

20. The Handy Circle Guarantee (Discretionary)

From time to time, Handy Circle may offer a discretionary goodwill program referred to as the "Handy Circle Guarantee." IF OFFERED, THE GUARANTEE IS A LIMITED, DISCRETIONARY COMMERCIAL COMMITMENT. IT IS NOT INSURANCE, A SURETY BOND, A WARRANTY, OR A GUARANTEE OF ANY PRO'S WORK, AND IT DOES NOT MAKE HANDY CIRCLE A PARTY TO OR RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SERVICES.

Any Guarantee is subject to eligibility conditions, scope limits, exclusions, and dollar caps that Handy Circle establishes and may change or withdraw at any time in its sole discretion. Typical conditions precedent include that the Job was booked and paid in full through the Platform, that you submit a timely claim through the Platform, that you cooperate with our investigation, and that the loss is not otherwise excluded. The Guarantee does not cover, among other things, consequential or indirect losses, pre-existing conditions, ordinary wear, or matters covered by a Pro's or your own insurance. Handy Circle's decisions regarding the Guarantee are final.

21. Disclaimer of Warranties (AS IS)

THE PLATFORM AND ALL CONTENT, MATCHING, AND SERVICES OFFERED THROUGH IT ARE PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE," WITH ALL FAULTS AND WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, HANDY CIRCLE AND ITS AFFILIATES, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, AND LICENSORS DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, TITLE, NON-INFRINGEMENT, AND ANY WARRANTY OF WORKMANLIKE PERFORMANCE OR QUALITY.

HANDY CIRCLE DOES NOT WARRANT THAT THE PLATFORM WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED, SECURE, ERROR-FREE, OR FREE OF HARMFUL COMPONENTS, THAT DEFECTS WILL BE CORRECTED, OR THAT ANY MATCHING WILL RESULT IN A BOOKING. HANDY CIRCLE MAKES NO WARRANTY REGARDING ANY PRO OR THE SERVICES, INCLUDING THEIR QUALITY, SAFETY, LEGALITY, TIMELINESS, OR SUITABILITY, AND IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ACTS OR OMISSIONS OF ANY PRO OR CUSTOMER.

SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OF CERTAIN WARRANTIES, SO SOME OF THE ABOVE EXCLUSIONS MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU. NOTHING IN THESE TERMS LIMITS ANY WARRANTY OR RIGHT THAT CANNOT BE EXCLUDED UNDER APPLICABLE LAW.

22. Assumption of Risk & Release

YOU UNDERSTAND AND AGREE THAT ENGAGING A PRO TO PERFORM SERVICES, INCLUDING PERMITTING A PRO OR THEIR PERSONNEL INTO YOUR HOME OR ONTO YOUR PROPERTY, INVOLVES INHERENT RISKS. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, YOU KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY ASSUME ALL RISKS ARISING FROM OR RELATED TO THE SERVICES AND YOUR INTERACTIONS WITH PROS, INCLUDING RISKS OF PROPERTY DAMAGE, PERSONAL INJURY, THEFT, LOSS, AND THE CONDUCT OF ANY PERSON PRESENT.

TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, YOU HEREBY RELEASE, WAIVE, AND DISCHARGE HANDY CIRCLE AND ITS AFFILIATES, OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AND AGENTS FROM ANY AND ALL CLAIMS, DEMANDS, DAMAGES, LOSSES, LIABILITIES, AND EXPENSES OF EVERY KIND, WHETHER KNOWN OR UNKNOWN, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THE ACTS OR OMISSIONS OF ANY PRO OR CUSTOMER, THE SERVICES, OR ANY DISPUTE BETWEEN YOU AND A PRO OR ANOTHER USER.

THIS RELEASE DOES NOT APPLY TO, AND EXPRESSLY CARVES OUT, LIABILITY FOR HANDY CIRCLE'S OWN GROSS NEGLIGENCE, WILLFUL MISCONDUCT, OR FRAUD, AND ANY LIABILITY THAT CANNOT BE WAIVED OR RELEASED UNDER APPLICABLE LAW (INCLUDING RIGHTS UNDER MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL LAWS CHAPTER 93A).

Although the Platform is offered only in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and these Terms are governed by Massachusetts law, some users may access the Platform's website from outside Massachusetts. Accordingly, and as a belt-and-suspenders measure, to the extent you access the Platform from outside Massachusetts (for example, as a website visitor) and the law of California or any other jurisdiction is found to apply to you notwithstanding Section 26, you also expressly waive California Civil Code Section 1542 and any similar statute or common-law rule of any jurisdiction. Section 1542 provides: "A general release does not extend to claims that the creditor or releasing party does not know or suspect to exist in his or her favor at the time of executing the release, and that, if known by him or her, would have materially affected his or her settlement with the debtor or released party." This waiver is included for completeness even though the governing law is Massachusetts, and nothing in it waives any right that cannot be waived under applicable law.

23. Limitation of Liability

TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, HANDY CIRCLE AND ITS AFFILIATES, OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, AND LICENSORS SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, OR FOR ANY LOSS OF PROFITS, REVENUE, DATA, GOODWILL, OR OTHER INTANGIBLE LOSSES, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THE PLATFORM, THE SERVICES, OR THESE TERMS, WHETHER BASED IN CONTRACT, TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE), STRICT LIABILITY, OR ANY OTHER THEORY, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, HANDY CIRCLE'S TOTAL AGGREGATE LIABILITY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THE PLATFORM, THE SERVICES, OR THESE TERMS SHALL NOT EXCEED THE GREATER OF (A) THE TOTAL SERVICE FEES YOU PAID TO HANDY CIRCLE IN THE SIX (6) MONTHS IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE EVENT GIVING RISE TO THE CLAIM, OR (B) ONE HUNDRED U.S. DOLLARS ($100).

THESE LIMITATIONS ARE AN ESSENTIAL BASIS OF THE BARGAIN. NOTHING IN THIS SECTION EXCLUDES OR LIMITS LIABILITY FOR HANDY CIRCLE'S GROSS NEGLIGENCE, WILLFUL MISCONDUCT, OR FRAUD, OR ANY LIABILITY THAT CANNOT BE LIMITED OR EXCLUDED UNDER APPLICABLE LAW, INCLUDING RIGHTS UNDER MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL LAWS CHAPTER 93A. SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW CERTAIN LIMITATIONS, SO SOME OF THE ABOVE MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.

24. Indemnification

To the fullest extent permitted by law, you agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Handy Circle and its affiliates, officers, directors, employees, and agents from and against any and all claims, demands, actions, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of or related to:

• Your breach or alleged breach of these Terms or the Privacy Policy;
• Your misuse of the Platform;
• Your Content, including any claim that it infringes or violates the rights of a third party;
• Your interactions, disputes, or transactions with any Pro or other user, including the Services;
• Your violation of any law or the rights of any third party; and
• Any tax obligation arising from your transactions.

Handy Circle may, at its option, assume the exclusive defense and control of any matter subject to indemnification, in which case you agree to cooperate. You may not settle any matter in a way that imposes an obligation or admission on Handy Circle without our prior written consent. We will use reasonable efforts to notify you of any such claim.

25. Dispute Resolution — Binding Arbitration & Class-Action Waiver

25.1 Agreement to arbitrate; Federal Arbitration Act

You and Handy Circle agree that any dispute, claim, or controversy arising out of or relating to these Terms, the Platform, the Services, or the relationship between you and Handy Circle (a "Dispute") will be resolved by BINDING INDIVIDUAL ARBITRATION, except as expressly provided below. This arbitration agreement is governed by the Federal Arbitration Act (FAA) and evidences a transaction involving interstate commerce.

25.2 Informal resolution (notice and 60-day cure)

Before starting arbitration, the complaining party must send a written Notice of Dispute describing the claim and the relief sought: to you at your account email or address, and to Handy Circle at hello@handy-circle.com and Handy Circle, Inc., 56 Broad St STE 14252, Boston, MA 02109, USA. The parties will attempt in good faith to resolve the Dispute for sixty (60) days. This informal process is a condition precedent to commencing arbitration, and the deadline for filing is tolled during it.

25.3 Arbitration rules and administrator

The arbitration will be administered by the American Arbitration Association (AAA) under its Consumer Arbitration Rules, as modified by these Terms. The rules are available at www.adr.org. The arbitration will be seated in Massachusetts, and may be conducted by telephone, video, or written submissions, or in person in the county where you reside or another mutually agreed location. A single arbitrator will decide the Dispute and may award the same individual remedies a court could.

25.4 Delegation clause

The arbitrator, and not any court, has exclusive authority to resolve any dispute relating to the interpretation, applicability, enforceability, or formation of this arbitration agreement, including any claim that all or part of it is void or voidable, EXCEPT that a court has authority to decide the enforceability of the Class-Action Waiver in Section 25.6.

25.5 Arbitration fees

Handy Circle will pay the AAA filing, administration, and arbitrator fees to the extent required by the AAA Consumer Arbitration Rules and the AAA fee schedule, and will pay such fees for any non-frivolous claim as those rules require. Each party is otherwise responsible for its own attorneys' fees and costs, except where a statute or the arbitrator provides otherwise.

25.6 Class-action, collective, and representative waiver

YOU AND HANDY CIRCLE AGREE THAT EACH MAY BRING CLAIMS AGAINST THE OTHER ONLY IN AN INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, AND NOT AS A PLAINTIFF OR CLASS MEMBER IN ANY PURPORTED CLASS, COLLECTIVE, CONSOLIDATED, OR REPRESENTATIVE PROCEEDING. The arbitrator may not consolidate more than one person's claims or preside over any form of a class or representative proceeding. YOU AND HANDY CIRCLE WAIVE ANY RIGHT TO A JURY TRIAL.

25.7 Severability / non-severability of the class waiver (blow-up clause)

If any part of this Section is found unenforceable, the remainder will be enforced. HOWEVER, if the Class-Action Waiver in Section 25.6 is found to be unenforceable as to a particular claim or request for relief, then that claim or request (and only that claim or request) shall be severed from arbitration and brought in a court of competent jurisdiction, and the remaining claims shall proceed in arbitration. The Class-Action Waiver itself is not severable in a manner that would permit class or representative arbitration.

25.8 Coordinated arbitration

If twenty-five (25) or more similar Notices of Dispute are submitted by or with the assistance or coordination of the same or coordinated counsel or organization, the parties will work together in good faith, and with the AAA, to resolve the Disputes efficiently and consistent with due process and each claimant's individual rights. Such cooperation may include, where appropriate and by mutual agreement or as the AAA directs, selecting a limited number of representative "bellwether" arbitrations to proceed first, the outcomes of which may (but need not) be used to inform the negotiation, mediation, or resolution of the remaining Disputes. Nothing in this Section requires any claimant to waive individual adjudication of their Dispute, converts any Dispute into a class or representative proceeding, or authorizes an arbitrator to bind a claimant to the result of another claimant's arbitration without that claimant's consent, and this Section shall not be applied so as to indefinitely delay the adjudication of any individual claimant's Dispute. The applicable statute of limitations and any filing deadlines are tolled for claims awaiting their turn under this process.

25.9 Small-claims and injunctive-relief carve-outs

Notwithstanding the foregoing, either party may bring an individual claim in a small-claims court with jurisdiction, and either party may seek injunctive or other equitable relief in court to prevent the actual or threatened infringement or misuse of intellectual property or confidential information. These carve-outs do not waive the arbitration agreement for other Disputes.

25.10 30-day right to opt out

YOU MAY OPT OUT OF THIS ARBITRATION AGREEMENT (SECTION 25) WITHIN THIRTY (30) DAYS after you first accept these Terms by sending a written notice that includes your name, the email and phone number associated with your account, and a clear statement that you wish to opt out of arbitration, to: hello@handy-circle.com with the subject line "Arbitration Opt-Out," or by mail to Handy Circle, Inc., Attn: Arbitration Opt-Out, 56 Broad St STE 14252, Boston, MA 02109, USA. Opting out will not affect any other part of these Terms and will not disadvantage you. If you opt out, disputes will be resolved in the courts identified in Section 26. If you do not opt out within 30 days, you are bound by this arbitration agreement.

25.11 Changes to this Section

If we make a material change to this Section after you accept these Terms, you may reject the change by notifying us within thirty (30) days using the method above, in which case the most recent version you accepted before the change will govern.

26. Governing Law & Venue

These Terms and any Dispute are governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, without regard to its conflict-of-laws rules, except that the Federal Arbitration Act governs the interpretation and enforcement of the arbitration agreement in Section 25.

For any Dispute not subject to arbitration (including small-claims matters and matters where you have validly opted out), you and Handy Circle consent to the exclusive personal jurisdiction and venue of the state and federal courts located in Suffolk County, Massachusetts, and waive any objection to that venue. Nothing in this Section limits any non-waivable right you may have under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 93A.

27. Termination & Suspension

You may stop using the Platform and close your account at any time through the app or by contacting hello@handy-circle.com. Handy Circle may suspend, limit, or terminate your access to the Platform, with or without notice, for any reason permitted by law, including breach of these Terms, risk to the community, suspected fraud, or as required by law.

Upon termination, your right to use the Platform ceases. Termination does not relieve you of obligations incurred before termination, including payment obligations. Pending Jobs may be cancelled or completed at our discretion, and money already owed will be handled according to these Terms. When you close your account, Handy Circle anonymizes rather than hard-deletes your account: your personal information is removed or replaced while certain transactional records are retained as described in the Privacy Policy. Account deletion may be blocked while money is in flight (for example, a held payout, an active Job, or a pending refund) until those matters are resolved. Provisions that by their nature should survive (including Sections 5, 8, 9, 12, 13, 15, 16, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, and 31) survive termination.

28. Changes to the Terms

We may modify these Terms from time to time. If we make changes, we will update the "Effective Date" and, for material changes, provide reasonable notice (such as by email, in-app notice, or posting). Changes are effective when posted unless we state otherwise.

Your continued use of the Platform after changes become effective constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms. If you do not agree, you must stop using the Platform. For material changes to the arbitration agreement, you have the rejection right described in Section 25.11. We will not apply material changes retroactively to a Dispute of which we had actual notice.

29. Electronic Notices

We may provide notices to you by email to the address associated with your account, by SMS, by push notification, or by posting within the Platform, and such notices are deemed given and received when sent or posted. It is your responsibility to keep your contact information current.

Except where a specific method is required elsewhere in these Terms (such as the arbitration Notice of Dispute in Section 25), you may provide notice to Handy Circle by email to hello@handy-circle.com or by mail to Handy Circle, Inc., 56 Broad St STE 14252, Boston, MA 02109, USA. Notices to us are deemed received when actually received.

30. Miscellaneous

• Severability: If any provision is held unenforceable, it will be modified to the minimum extent necessary or severed, and the remaining provisions remain in effect (subject to Section 25.7 for the Class-Action Waiver).
• Entire Agreement: These Terms, together with the Privacy Policy and any policies referenced, constitute the entire agreement between you and Handy Circle regarding the Platform and supersede prior agreements on that subject.
• Assignment: Handy Circle may assign these Terms, in whole or in part, without restriction. You may not assign or transfer your rights or obligations without our prior written consent, and any attempted assignment in violation is void.
• No Waiver: Our failure to enforce any provision is not a waiver of our right to do so later.
• Force Majeure: Handy Circle is not liable for any failure or delay caused by events beyond its reasonable control, including natural disasters, labor disputes, outages, acts of government, or third-party service failures.
• Relationship of the Parties: You and Handy Circle are independent contracting parties; nothing creates any partnership, joint venture, agency, franchise, or employment relationship, and no Pro is an agent or employee of Handy Circle.
• Headings: Section headings are for convenience only and do not affect interpretation.
• Export / Sanctions: You represent that you are not located in, or a resident of, any country or on any list subject to U.S. sanctions or export restrictions, and that you will not use the Platform in violation of such laws.
• Survival: The provisions listed in Section 27 and any other provisions that by their nature should survive will survive termination.

31. Apple App Store & Google Play Additional Terms

If you download the Handy Circle app from the Apple App Store, the following additional terms apply, and in case of conflict with the rest of these Terms with respect to your use of the iOS app, these additional terms control to the extent required by Apple:

• These Terms are between you and Handy Circle only, and not with Apple Inc. Apple is not responsible for the app or its content.
• Apple has no obligation to furnish any maintenance or support services for the app.
• In the event of any failure of the app to conform to any applicable warranty, you may notify Apple, and Apple will refund the purchase price (if any); to the maximum extent permitted by law, Apple has no other warranty obligation with respect to the app.
• Apple is not responsible for addressing any claims relating to the app, including product-liability, legal or regulatory compliance, or consumer-protection claims.
• Apple is not responsible for the investigation, defense, settlement, or discharge of any third-party intellectual-property infringement claim relating to the app.
• You represent that you are not located in a country subject to a U.S. Government embargo or designated a "terrorist supporting" country and are not on any U.S. Government prohibited-party list.
• You must comply with applicable third-party terms, including the App Store Terms of Service and any usage rules in the Apple Media Services Terms.
• Apple and its subsidiaries are third-party beneficiaries of these Terms and, upon your acceptance, will have the right to enforce these Terms against you as a third-party beneficiary.

If you download the app from the Google Play Store, you agree to the applicable Google Play Terms of Service, and equivalent provisions apply with respect to Google as the distributor.

32. DMCA / Copyright Policy

Handy Circle respects intellectual-property rights and responds to notices of alleged copyright infringement under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). If you believe Content on the Platform infringes your copyright, send a written notice to our designated agent that includes: (a) your physical or electronic signature; (b) identification of the copyrighted work claimed to be infringed; (c) identification of the allegedly infringing material and its location; (d) your contact information; (e) a statement that you have a good-faith belief the use is not authorized; and (f) a statement, under penalty of perjury, that the information is accurate and that you are authorized to act.

Designated Agent: Copyright Agent, Handy Circle, Inc., 56 Broad St STE 14252, Boston, MA 02109, USA; email hello@handy-circle.com. We will process counter-notifications as provided by the DMCA and will terminate, in appropriate circumstances, the accounts of repeat infringers.

33. Contact Information

If you have questions about these Terms or the Platform, contact us:

• Handy Circle, Inc.
• 56 Broad St STE 14252, Boston, MA 02109, USA
• Email: hello@handy-circle.com
• Phone: (857) 214-8626
• Website: https://www.handy-circle.com

Independent service professionals should also review the Handy Circle Service Provider Agreement, which governs their use of the Platform. All users should review the Handy Circle Privacy Policy, which is incorporated into these Terms by reference.