Safety & Trust

Our Commitment to Safety

Safety and transparency are central to how TheHandyHack operates. We provide account verification controls, structured payment resolution, and reporting tools so neighbors and independent handymen can make informed decisions.

Trust & Safety Features

Account & Provider Screening

What the Platform Checks Today

• Email Verification: Confirmed email address for account activation and notifications
• Profile & Service Information: Contact phone number, biography, service categories, hourly rate, and service areas
• Stripe Connect Payout Onboarding: Identity and bank account verification handled by Stripe before payouts are enabled

What Customers Should Verify Directly

• Trade Licensing: Confirm whether your project requires a state contractor license (such as California CSLB rules for work of $500 or more in combined labor and materials, or work requiring a building permit)
• Background & References: TheHandyHack does not currently perform criminal background checks on users unless explicitly stated on a profile
• Insurance Coverage: Request proof of liability insurance directly from the handyman if required for your project

Payment Security

How Payments Work

Customers pay upfront through Stripe. Stripe credits the platform payment balance, and the service amount is transferred later under the payment-resolution rules. This is not advertised as escrow. Here is the flow:

1. Customer and handyman agree on the scope and price in the platform chat
2. Customer pays securely through Stripe at the time of hire
3. Stripe confirms payment and the shared chat states that work may begin
4. The handyman completes the agreed work
5. Both parties separately select cancellation, a lower adjusted price, or completion
6. A matching lower adjustment records the new amount but does not move money
7. Both parties must then separately confirm completion before the adjusted payout and refund are processed
8. Matching cancellation or completion selections are processed; disagreements may be privately elevated for administrator review

Secure Processing

• All payments processed through Stripe, a PCI-compliant payment processor
• Credit card information is never stored on our servers
• Bank-level encryption protects all financial transactions
• Regular security audits ensure continued protection

Safety Best Practices

For Customers

• Review handyman profiles, ratings, and previous customer feedback
• Communicate project details clearly before work begins
• Be present or designate a trusted representative during work
• Document work progress with photos when appropriate
• Report any concerns immediately to our support team
• Keep valuable items secure during service appointments

For Handymen

• Maintain current licensing and insurance appropriate for your services
• Use proper safety equipment and follow industry best practices
• Communicate professionally and document work progress
• Respect customer property and maintain clean work areas
• Report unsafe working conditions or customer behavior immediately
• Keep emergency contact information readily available

Incident Response

Immediate Safety Concerns

Platform Issues

For non-emergency safety concerns or platform violations:

1. Use our in-platform reporting tools to document the incident
2. Provide detailed information and any supporting evidence
3. Suspend further interaction until our team can investigate
4. Follow up with additional information if requested
5. Cooperate with our investigation and resolution process

Insurance and Liability

No Platform Insurance for Service Work

TheHandyHack does not provide general liability, property damage, workers' compensation, or professional liability insurance for handymen or customers. All work is performed by independent providers under agreements directly between the customer and the handyman.

User Responsibility

Contact Our Safety Team

Our team reviews safety reports and support inquiries: