Terms of Service

1.1 What We Do

Renovate is an online marketplace that connects customers seeking tradespeople -- such as gas engineers, plumbers, and electricians -- with independent tradespeople who offer those services. The platform uses a map-based interface to display the live or recent locations of available tradespeople, allowing customers to browse, filter by service type, view profiles, and initiate direct contact via in-app messaging.

1.2 What We Are Not

Renovate does not employ tradespeople, manage or carry out any works, or act as a contractor or agency. We do not own, create, sell, or supply any services listed by tradespeople on the platform. When a customer and tradesperson connect and agree to work together, they enter into a direct contract with each other. Renovate is not a party to that contract.

1.3 No Guarantees on Quality or Identity

While we may offer verification features to help establish trust, any indication that a tradesperson is "verified" refers only to the completion of a specific identification or credential check -- not an endorsement or guarantee of quality, suitability, or reliability. Customers should exercise their own due diligence before engaging a tradesperson, including checking credentials, insurance, and reviews.

1.4 Tradesperson Independence

Tradespeople using the Renovate platform are independent contractors. They are not employees, agents, or partners of Renovate. They act entirely on their own behalf and are solely responsible for the services they offer and deliver.

1.5 Platform Availability

We aim to keep the Renovate platform available at all times but cannot guarantee uninterrupted access. We may temporarily restrict access for maintenance, security, or capacity reasons, and will endeavour to provide advance notice where possible. We are not responsible for outages caused by third-party internet or telecommunications infrastructure.

2.1 Age and Legal Capacity

You must be at least 18 years old and legally capable of entering into binding contracts to use the Renovate platform. By using the platform, you confirm that you meet these requirements.

2.2 Verification

Renovate may require tradespeople to complete identity or credential verification before their profile is made visible on the platform. We may also carry out background checks or request documentation as permitted by applicable law. We do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any verification outcome.

2.3 Third-Party Services

Some features of the platform may rely on third-party services, including mapping technology (such as Google Maps). Your use of those features may be subject to the terms of those third parties. If you access the Renovate app through the Apple App Store or Google Play, Apple's or Google's respective platform terms also apply.

4.1 Creating an Account

You must register an account to use core features of the Renovate platform. You may register using an email address and password, or via a third-party login such as Google or Apple. You must provide accurate, current, and complete information and keep it up to date.

4.2 Account Security

You are responsible for keeping your login credentials confidential. You must notify us immediately if you believe your account has been compromised. You are responsible for all activity that occurs under your account unless it was carried out without your authorisation and you were not negligent in protecting your credentials.

4.3 One Account Per Person

You may not register more than one account unless we have expressly authorised you to do so. You may not transfer your account to another person.

5.1 Your Content

You may upload photos, messages, and other content to the platform ("Member Content"). You are solely responsible for your Member Content and warrant that you own it or have the rights to share it, and that it does not infringe any third-party rights.

5.2 Licence to Renovate

By uploading Member Content, you grant Renovate a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free licence to use, store, display, and distribute that content solely for the purpose of operating and improving the platform. We will not use your content for advertising without your consent.

5.3 Content Standards

You must not post content that is:

• False, misleading, fraudulent, or deceptive
• Defamatory, obscene, offensive, or discriminatory
• Violent, threatening, or harmful to others
• In breach of any applicable law or regulation

We reserve the right to remove content that violates these standards. Where we do so, we will notify you of the reason unless doing so would compromise fraud prevention efforts or breach applicable law.

5.4 Platform Licence to You

We grant you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable licence to access and use the platform for its intended purposes. No other rights are granted by implication.

6.1 Accuracy of Listings

When creating or maintaining your profile and service listing on Renovate, you must provide accurate and complete information, including your trade type, qualifications, service area, and availability. You are responsible for keeping this information up to date.

6.2 Compliance with Law

You are solely responsible for ensuring you comply with all applicable laws and regulations relevant to your trade and any work you carry out. This includes:

• Holding any licences, registrations, or certifications required for your trade (e.g., Gas Safe registration for gas engineers)
• Complying with health and safety obligations
• Holding appropriate public liability or other professional insurance
• Complying with any applicable tax obligations

Renovate does not verify legal compliance and accepts no responsibility for any failure by a tradesperson to comply with applicable requirements.

6.3 Location Visibility

By enabling location sharing on the Renovate platform, you consent to your live or recent location being displayed to customers within the platform's map interface. You may disable location sharing at any time via your account settings, which will remove your pin from the map.

6.4 Direct Engagement

When you agree to carry out work for a customer introduced via the platform, you are entering into a direct contract with that customer. You are responsible for agreeing the scope of work, timeline, and any payment terms directly with the customer. Renovate is not a party to this arrangement.

6.5 Insurance

We strongly recommend that all tradespeople hold appropriate public liability insurance before undertaking any work introduced via the platform. Renovate does not provide or arrange insurance for tradespeople or their work.

7.1 Using the Map and Messaging

As a customer, you may browse tradespeople shown on the map, filter by service type, view profiles and reviews, and contact tradespeople via in-app messaging. You agree to use these features only for genuine enquiries related to home improvement or maintenance services.

7.2 Sharing Information

When communicating with a tradesperson via the platform, you may share your address, photographs, and other details about your property or the work required. You do so voluntarily and accept responsibility for the accuracy of the information you provide. Please take care not to share more personal information than is necessary.

7.3 Arranging Work and Payment

Any agreement to carry out work -- including the scope, timing, and price -- is made directly between you and the tradesperson. Renovate is not involved in and takes no responsibility for these arrangements. All payment is to be agreed and settled directly between you and the tradesperson. Renovate does not process, hold, or facilitate any payment transactions.

7.4 Safety

You are responsible for exercising your own judgement when inviting a tradesperson to your property. We recommend that you:

• Check any qualifications or certifications relevant to the work required
• Read reviews from other customers on the tradesperson's profile
• Agree the scope and cost of work in writing before any work begins
• Report any concerns about a tradesperson's conduct to us promptly

11.1 Duration

These Terms apply from the moment you register an account and continue until your account is terminated by you or by us.

11.2 Termination by You

You may close your account at any time by contacting us or using the account settings. Closing your account will remove your profile from the platform.

11.3 Termination by Renovate

We may terminate your account with 30 days' notice for any reason. We may terminate your account immediately, without notice, if you have materially breached these Terms, violated applicable law, or if immediate action is necessary to protect the safety of other users or the integrity of the platform.

11.4 Consequences of Termination

Upon termination, you will lose access to your account and any associated data. We are not obliged to restore access or retrieve content following account termination. You may not register a new account without our permission if your account has been terminated for a breach of these Terms.