Terms of Service

Last updated: January 2025

1. What We Do

Platform Overview

  • • Texas Trade Market connects Houston-area homeowners with independent contractors.
  • • We screen contractors and collect business documentation before listing.
  • • We provide tools for communication, quotes, and reviews.
  • • All agreements and transactions are directly between homeowners and contractors.
  • • Contractors set their own prices and manage their own work.

2. Independent Contractors

Contractor Relationship

Contractors on Texas Trade Market are independent businesses, not employees or agents of our platform.

  • • Contractors set their own prices, schedules, and business terms
  • • Contractors are responsible for the quality and safety of their work
  • • Contractors maintain their own insurance, licenses, and business registrations
  • • Any contract you enter is between you and the contractor directly

3. User Responsibilities

Homeowners

  • You are responsible for verifying contractor credentials and suitability for your project.
  • You agree to communicate honestly and in good faith with contractors.
  • You are responsible for all payment arrangements directly with contractors.
  • Reviews must be honest, accurate, and based on actual completed work.

Contractors

  • You must maintain all required licenses and insurance for your trade in Texas.
  • You must provide accurate business information for verification.
  • You must honor quoted prices and timelines in good faith.
  • You must not solicit homeowners outside the platform for covered services.

4. Subscription & Refund Policy

Contractor Subscriptions

  • • Monthly billing: Subscriptions are billed monthly and renew automatically.
  • • Cancellation: You may cancel at any time. Cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing period.
  • • No pro-rata refunds: We do not provide refunds for partial months or unused time.
  • • Downgrades: Tier downgrades take effect at the next billing cycle.
  • • Upgrades: Tier upgrades take effect immediately with prorated charges.
  • • Failed payments: If payment fails, you have a 7-day grace period before service suspension.

Refund Exceptions: If Texas Trade Market discontinues service or makes the platform materially unavailable due to our actions, you may be eligible for a prorated refund of unused subscription time. Contact support@texastrademarket.com for assistance.

Chargebacks: Disputed charges are handled through your payment provider. We reserve the right to suspend accounts with unresolved payment disputes.

5. Promotional Credits

Credits Terms

  • • Credits are promotional, discretionary, and have no cash value.
  • • Credits cannot be exchanged for cash or transferred to others.
  • • Credits expire 6 months (180 days) after being issued.
  • • Maximum credit usage is 20% of any job total.
  • • Maximum available balance is $300 at any time.
  • • Credits are issued for verified review submissions, not for ratings given.
  • • Texas Trade Market may modify or revoke credits at our discretion.

6. Verification & Listings

Contractor screening is a manual review process. While we collect business information, license numbers, and insurance documentation, this does not constitute verification of current license validity or insurance coverage. Homeowners should always:

  • Confirm current license status directly with Texas TDLR at tdlr.texas.gov
  • Request proof of current insurance before work begins
  • Obtain written contracts for all significant work
  • Request and verify references independently

8. Review Moderation Policy

Reviews must be honest, accurate, and based on actual completed jobs through the Platform. Texas Trade Market reserves the right to remove, hide, or modify reviews that:

  • Contain false or defamatory statements
  • Include personally identifiable information (phone numbers, addresses, etc.)
  • Are suspected of being fraudulent or incentivized outside our credits program
  • Contain obscene, threatening, or harassing language
  • Are unrelated to the actual work performed

Review Dispute Process: Contractors may dispute reviews they believe are unfair or inaccurate. Our team reviews disputes within 5-7 business days and may uphold, remove, or modify the review. All moderation decisions are final.

7. Dispute Resolution

Dispute Process & Timeline

  • • Acknowledgment: Disputes are acknowledged within 24 hours.
  • • Resolution timeline: We aim to resolve disputes within 14 business days.
  • • Evidence submission: Both parties may submit photos, messages, and documentation.
  • • Final decision: Admin decisions are provided in writing with reasoning.
  • • No appeals: All dispute decisions are final.

Texas Trade Market may assist in mediating disputes but is not responsible for resolving disagreements between homeowners and contractors. During active disputes, messaging between parties may be temporarily frozen to prevent escalation.

For significant disputes, users should:

  • First attempt direct resolution with the other party
  • Contact the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation for licensed trades
  • Consult with a licensed attorney for legal matters
  • File complaints with the Better Business Bureau if appropriate

Important: Texas Trade Market does not handle payments between homeowners and contractors. We cannot issue refunds, hold funds in escrow, or garnish payments.

Binding Arbitration: Any legal disputes arising from use of this platform that cannot be resolved through our dispute process shall be settled by binding arbitration in Harris County, Texas, in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association. Each party bears their own costs.

9. Service Area

Texas Trade Market currently operates exclusively in the Houston, Texas metropolitan area (ZIP codes beginning with 77). Services are limited to Texas residents and Texas-registered businesses.

10. Prohibited Activities

  • Creating fake accounts or reviews
  • Manipulating the review or rating system
  • Circumventing platform fees or verification
  • Harassing or threatening other users
  • Providing false business or license information
  • Using the platform for unlawful purposes

11. Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, TEXAS TRADE MARKET SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO PROPERTY DAMAGE, PERSONAL INJURY, ECONOMIC LOSS, OR ANY DAMAGES ARISING FROM THE CONDUCT OF CONTRACTORS OR HOMEOWNERS USING THE PLATFORM.

12. Changes to Terms

We reserve the right to modify these terms at any time. Continued use of the platform after changes constitutes acceptance of the new terms.

13. Contact

For questions about these terms, contact us at legal@texastrademarket.com