Legal

Refund Policy

Last updated: July 2025 · HomeServiceBid LLC · Chicago, Illinois

This Refund Policy explains when homeowners and contractors may be eligible for refunds on the HomeServiceBid platform. Please read this policy carefully before booking or accepting jobs.

1. Overview

HomeServiceBid facilitates payments between homeowners and contractors through an escrow system. When a homeowner accepts a contractor bid, funds are held securely until the job is confirmed complete. This policy governs when and how refunds are issued.

2. Homeowner Refunds

Full Refund — Job Cancelled Before Work Begins

If a homeowner cancels a job before the contractor has started work, a full refund is issued including the $10 booking fee. The refund is processed to the original payment method within 5-10 business days.

Full Refund — Contractor Fails Stripe Onboarding

If a contractor fails to complete their Stripe Connect account setup within 72 hours of winning a job, the homeowner receives a full refund including the $10 booking fee, and the job is reopened for new bids automatically.

Dispute Required — Issues After Work Begins

If a homeowner has concerns about work quality or completion after the contractor has started, the homeowner must file a dispute within 3 days of the contractor marking the job complete. Payment is frozen during the dispute review. Refunds in dispute cases are determined by HomeServiceBid on a case-by-case basis.

No Automatic Refund — Auto-Release After 3 Days

If a homeowner does not confirm or dispute job completion within 3 days of the contractor marking the job complete, payment is automatically released to the contractor. No refund is available after auto-release unless fraud is demonstrated.

No Refund — Off-Platform Transactions

HomeServiceBid cannot issue refunds for transactions conducted outside of the platform. All payments must be processed through HomeServiceBid to be eligible for refund protection.

3. The $10 Booking Fee

The $10 homeowner booking fee is:

Refundable — if the job is cancelled before the contractor starts work
Refundable — if the contractor fails Stripe onboarding within 72 hours
Non-refundable — once the contractor has started work
Non-refundable — after the 3-day auto-release window has passed

4. Contractor Refunds

The 10% referral fee (capped at $500) deducted from contractor payouts is non-refundable once a job is marked complete and payment is released. In cases where a job is cancelled before work begins, no referral fee is charged.

5. Dispute Resolution Process

How to File a Dispute

To file a dispute, homeowners must:

Navigate to the job in their dashboard within 3 days of contractor marking it complete
Select "Dispute" instead of confirming completion
Provide a written description of the issue and any supporting photos

Review Process

Once a dispute is filed:

Payment is frozen immediately — no auto-release occurs during active disputes
Both parties are notified and given an opportunity to provide their account of events
HomeServiceBid reviews all evidence and makes a final determination
Our decision is final and binding
Resolution typically occurs within 3-5 business days

6. Refund Processing Times

Approved refunds are processed as follows:

Credit/debit card refunds: 5-10 business days to appear on your statement
Processing time: HomeServiceBid initiates refunds within 1-2 business days of approval
Bank processing: Your bank or card issuer may take additional time to post the credit

7. Fraud and Chargebacks

If you believe you have been a victim of fraud on the HomeServiceBid platform, contact us immediately at hello@homeservicebid.com. We take fraud seriously and will investigate all reports promptly.

Filing a chargeback with your bank without first contacting HomeServiceBid may result in account suspension. We encourage all users to use our dispute resolution process before initiating a chargeback.

8. Changes to This Policy

HomeServiceBid reserves the right to update this Refund Policy at any time. Users will be notified of material changes by email. Continued use of the platform after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

9. Contact Us

For refund questions or to initiate a dispute:

HomeServiceBid LLC hello@homeservicebid.com 630-210-5317 homeservicebid.com