Terms of Service
Last Updated: February 10, 2026
Primary Jurisdiction: Hamilton County, Indiana
1. Nature of the Platform
Skillagig is a technology platform that serves as a neutral marketplace. Skillagig is not an employer, agency, or contractor. We provide a venue for users who need tasks performed (“Gigs”) to connect with independent skilled workers (“Skillsters”).
- No Employment Relationship: Nothing in these Terms shall be construed as creating an employer-employee relationship, joint venture, or partnership between Skillagig and any user.
- Independent Discretion: Skillsters maintain absolute discretion over how, when, and where they perform their services. Skillagig does not provide tools, training, or supervision.
2. Verification & Background Checks
To enhance community safety, Skillagig offers identity verification (ID), Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) checks, and professional license checks.
- Third-Party Data: Verification is performed by third-party vendors. Skillagig provides the results as reported to us and does not guarantee the absolute accuracy or current validity of such records at the time a gig is performed.
- User Duty to Verify: Crucial Disclaimer: Users are strictly required to perform their own final due diligence. A Skillster may be verified on the platform, but the business they represent may send an unverified employee or subcontractor to your location. Skillagig is not liable for the actions of any individual not explicitly registered and verified on our platform.
- Professional Licenses: It is the user’s responsibility to confirm that a Skillster’s license is appropriate for the specific local regulations governing the task (e.g., local plumbing codes or electrical permits).
3. Payments & Secure Vault (Escrow-like)
Skillagig provides a “Secure Vault” system to facilitate safe transactions.
- Funding and Settlement Gigsters acknowledge that payments initiated via the Platform may be subject to a settlement period of two (2) to three (3) business days depending on payment method used, before funds are fully cleared and reflected in the Secure Vault. Skillagig utilizes this period to ensure the integrity of the transaction and to verify the availability of funds.
- Authorization to Commences Work Skillsters are strictly advised not to commence work on any Milestone or Project until the Platform confirms that the corresponding funds have been successfully secured in the Vault. Skillagig shall not be liable for any work performed prior to the official “Funded” status of a Gig. Commencing work before payment is secured is done at the Skillster’s own risk.
- Payouts and Disbursements Once a Project or Milestone is approved by the Gigster, funds will be released for withdrawal. Skillsters acknowledge that the transfer of funds from the Platform to their external bank account (the “Payout”) typically requires two (2) to three (3) business days to process, depending on the policies of the receiving financial institution and the chosen payout method.
- The Escrow-like Process: Funds are held securely by our payment processor once a gig is booked. Funds are only released to the Skillster once the user confirms gig completion or the dispute period elapses without action.
- Circumvention Policy: Any attempt to communicate or process payments outside of the Skillagig platform for connections made through the platform is a material breach of these Terms.
- Off-Platform Liability: If you pay a Skillster outside of Skillagig, you lose all protections. Skillagig is not responsible for fraud, incomplete work, or dispute management for any off-platform transactions.
4. Dispute Management Service
Skillagig offers an evidence-based dispute resolution process for gigs workflowed entirely through the platform.
- Evidence Required: Users must provide documentation (photos, messages, contracts) via the Skillagig interface.
- Finality: Skillagig’s decision in a dispute is final and binding for the purpose of releasing or refunding funds held in the vault.
- Limited Scope: Our dispute service only governs the distribution of funds held in our Secure Vault. It does not constitute legal representation or insurance.
5. Insurance
Skillagig facilitates access to third-party insurance vendors.
- No Underwriting: Skillagig is not an insurance provider or broker. Any insurance policy purchased through our preferred vendors is a contract strictly between the user and the insurance company.
- Coverage Responsibility: It is the Skillster’s sole responsibility to ensure they carry the legally required insurance (e.g., commercial auto, workers’ comp) for the services they provide.
6. Limitation of Liability & Indemnification
- “As-Is” Service: Skillagig is provided “as is.” We do not guarantee the quality, safety, or legality of the gigs posted or the skills provided.
- Liability Cap: To the maximum extent permitted by law, Skillagig’s total liability for any claim arising out of the use of the platform shall be limited to the total fees paid by the user to Skillagig in the six months preceding the claim.
- Indemnification: You agree to indemnify and hold Skillagig harmless from any claims, damages, or legal fees resulting from your interactions with other users, your breach of these Terms, or your violation of any laws.
7. Global Compliance
Skillagig is a global platform. Users are responsible for complying with all local tax, labor, and safety laws applicable in their specific jurisdiction, including the reporting of 1099 income or equivalent international tax obligations.
8. Fees and Service Charges
9. Third-Party Processor (Stripe)
10. Refund Policy
- Verification & Service Fees: These fees are for the use of the platform’s resources and are strictly non-refundable, regardless of the outcome of a gig posting or verification attempt.
- Secure vault Refunds: Refunds of the contract amount held in the Secure Vault are governed by our Dispute Management Service (Section 4). If a gig is canceled by mutual agreement before work begins, the contract amount may be refunded to the Gigster, minus non-refundable Stripe processing fees.
11. DISPUTE RESOLUTION; BINDING ARBITRATION
PLEASE READ THIS SECTION CAREFULLY. IT AFFECTS YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS, INCLUDING YOUR RIGHT TO FILE A LAWSUIT IN COURT.
11.1 Mandatory Binding Arbitration. You and Skillagig agree that any dispute, claim, or controversy arising out of or relating to these Terms, the use of the platform, or the breach, termination, enforcement, interpretation, or validity thereof (collectively, “Disputes”) will be settled by binding individual arbitration, and not in a court of law.
11.2 Class Action Waiver. YOU AND SKILLAGIG 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 OR REPRESENTATIVE PROCEEDING. Further, unless both you and Skillagig agree otherwise, the arbitrator may not consolidate more than one person’s claims and may not otherwise preside over any form of a representative or class proceeding.
11.3 Exceptions to Arbitration. Notwithstanding Section 11.1, both parties retain the right to: (i) bring an individual action in small claims court; and (ii) seek injunctive or other equitable relief in a court of competent jurisdiction to prevent the actual or threatened infringement, misappropriation, or violation of a party’s intellectual property rights.
11.4 Arbitration Rules and Governing Law. Arbitration Rules and Venue. The arbitration will be administered by the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”) in accordance with its Consumer Arbitration Rules. The seat of the arbitration shall be Hamilton County, Indiana, unless both parties agree otherwise. Any court of competent jurisdiction located in Hamilton County, Indiana, may enter judgment on the award rendered by the arbitrator.
11.5 Opt-Out Right. You have the right to opt out of this Arbitration Clause by sending written notice of your decision to opt out to legal@skillagig.com within thirty (30) days of first accepting these Terms. If you opt out, neither you nor Skillagig can force the other to arbitrate.
Secure Vault Agreement
Version 1.0 – Effective February 10, 2026
This Secure Vault Agreement (“Agreement”) governs the use of the Skillagig payment protection system. By initiating a “Gig” or “Contract” on Skillagig, the Gigster (Client), the Skillster (Worker), and Skillagig (Platform) agree to the following:
1. The Nature of the "Secure Vault"
The Secure Vault is a digital escrow-like service. Skillagig is not a bank, a qualified escrow agent, or a fiduciary. The Secure Vault is a technology-enabled workflow that directs our third-party payment processor (Stripe) to hold and disburse funds based on the completion of milestones or gig status.
2. Funding the Vault
- Obligation to Fund: Once a Skillster is selected, the Gigster must deposit the full contract amount plus applicable Stripe processing fees into the Secure Vault.
- Confirmation: Skillagig will notify the Skillster once the funds are “Secured.” Skillsters are strictly advised not to begin work until they receive this confirmation.
- Security: Funds are held in a segregated account by Stripe and are not part of Skillagig’s operating capital.
3. Release of Funds (The "Payout Trigger")
Funds held in the Secure Vault will be released to the Skillster only upon the occurrence of one of the following:
- Manual Release: The Gigster marks the gig as “Complete” or clicks “Release Funds.”
- Auto-Approval: If the Skillster marks the gig as “Complete” and the Gigster fails to approve or open a dispute within 72 hours, Skillagig is irrevocably authorized to release the funds.
- Dispute Resolution: In the event of a dispute, funds are released only according to a mutual settlement or a final decision rendered by the Skillagig Dispute Management Service.
4. No-Bypass (Anti-Circumvention) Rule
To ensure the protection of the Secure Vault, users agree:
- Not to solicit or accept payments outside of the Skillagig platform for any gig initiated on Skillagig.
- Loss of Protection: If a payment is made off-platform, this Agreement is void. Skillagig will not provide dispute assistance, and the user’s account may be permanently suspended.
5. Refund Policy for Vaulted Funds
- Pre-Work Cancellation: If a gig is canceled by mutual consent before any work has commenced, the Vaulted funds (minus non-refundable Stripe fees) will be returned to the Gigster.
- Partial Completion: If a gig is partially completed, the parties may agree to a “Partial Release” where a portion of the Vault is paid to the Skillster and the remainder is refunded to the Gigster.
6. Role of Stripe
All Vault transactions are subject to the Stripe Connected Account Agreement. Skillagig’s role is limited to the technological instruction of Stripe. Skillagig is not liable for any delays in banking transfers, insolvency of the payment processor, or technical errors originating from Stripe’s infrastructure.
7. Dispute Hold
If a dispute is initiated, the funds will remain “Locked” in the Secure Vault. Skillagig will not release funds to either party until the dispute process is concluded. No interest shall accrue on funds held in the Vault during a dispute.
Dispute Management Service (DMS)
Version 1.0 – Effective February 10, 2026
The Skillagig Dispute Management Service is a structured process available to users for resolving disagreements regarding gigs workflowed entirely through the Skillagig platform and funded via the Secure Vault.
1. Eligibility for Dispute Services
To qualify for the DMS, a gig must meet the following “Platform Workflow” criteria:
- On-Platform Communication: All project requirements, changes, and approvals must be documented in the Skillagig messaging system.
- Secure Vault Funding: The gig must have been fully funded in the Secure Vault prior to the dispute arising.
- Timely Filing: A dispute must be opened within 72 hours of a gig being marked as “Complete” by the Skillster, or at any time during an active “In Progress” gig.
2. The Three-Stage Resolution Process
We prioritize mutual agreement between users before platform intervention.
Stage 1: Mutual Negotiation (Mandatory)
Once a dispute is flagged, the Secure Vault is “Locked.” Both parties are given 48 hours to reach a private settlement via the platform.
- Settlement Options: Parties can agree to a full refund, a full payout, or a partial split of the vaulted funds.
- Outcome: If an agreement is reached, the funds are released immediately per the mutual instruction.
Stage 2: Evidence Submission
If Stage 1 fails, Skillagig will request an Evidence Bundle from both parties. To win a dispute, you must provide objective proof.
- Acceptable Evidence Includes:
- Screenshots of agreed-upon project scope in the Skillagig chat.
- Photos/videos of the work performed (or lack thereof).
- Time logs or GPS check-ins (for physical tasks like delivery or cleaning).
- Professional certifications or proof of specialized materials used.
- Failure to Respond: If a party fails to provide evidence within 48 hours of the request, the dispute may be automatically decided in favor of the responding party.
Stage 3: Platform Review & Final Decision
A Skillagig Dispute Specialist will review the Evidence Bundle. Our review is limited to determining whether the “Done” criteria defined in the original gig post were met.
- Basis of Decision: We do not judge “quality” subjectively (e.g., “I don’t like the shade of blue”). We judge based on the objective scope (e.g., “Was a logo delivered in PNG format as requested?”).
- Binding Nature: By using the DMS, both parties agree that Skillagig’s decision regarding the distribution of Secure Vault funds is final and non-appealable for the purpose of the platform’s vault funds release.
3. Limitation of Scope
- No Legal Representation: The DMS is an administrative service for the release of secure vault funds. It is not a legal proceeding. Skillagig does not provide legal advice or act as an arbitrator under formal arbitration laws.
- Off-Platform Work: Skillagig will not review evidence from outside sources (e.g., WhatsApp, personal email, or cash receipts). If it didn’t happen on Skillagig, it didn’t happen.
- Physical Damage/Injury: The DMS only manages the contract funds. Claims involving physical property damage or personal injury must be handled through the users’ respective insurance providers (see the Insurance section of the main T&C).
4. Dispute Fees
To discourage frivolous claims, Skillagig reserves the right to charge a $15 Dispute Filing Fee to the party that initiates a formal Stage 3 review. If the initiating party wins the dispute, this fee may be refunded or charged to the losing party at Skillagig’s discretion.
Privacy Policy
Last Updated: February 10, 2026
At Skillagig, we take your privacy as seriously as the skills you provide. This policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your information across our global platform.
1. Information We Collect
To maintain a trusted marketplace, we collect several categories of information:
- Account Data: Name, email, phone number, and password.
- Skillster Profile Data: Portfolio items, skills, location, and user reviews.
- Sensitive Verification Data: To verify your identity, we (via Stripe) collect images of your government-issued ID and a “selfie” to perform biometric matching.
- Background & MVR Data: If you opt for a background or Motor Vehicle Record check, we collect information necessary to facilitate these reports through our third-party partner Checkr.
- Transaction Data: Payment history, gig amounts, and payout details.
2. How We Use Your Data
We use your information to:
- Facilitate Matches: Connect Gigsters with the right Skillsters based on proximity and skill.
- Secure Payments: Process fees and manage the Secure Vault via Stripe.
- Enhance Trust: Display “Verified” badges on profiles that have successfully passed ID and background checks.
- Dispute Resolution: Review chat logs and evidence to resolve conflicts between users.
3. Third-Party Data Sharing (The Stripe Connection)
We do not sell your personal data. However, we share specific information with essential service providers:
- Stripe (Identity & Payments): Skillagig uses Stripe for ID verification and payment processing. When you provide ID documents, you are providing them directly to Stripe. Skillagig receives the result (e.g., “Verified” or “Failed”) and a truncated version of your data. For more, see the Stripe Privacy Policy.
- Background Check Providers: If you request a background check, your data is shared with our screening partners (e.g., Checkr) solely to generate your report.
- Legal Requirements: We may disclose data if required by law or to protect the safety of our community.
4. Data Retention & Deletion
- Retention: We retain your account data as long as your account is active. Transactional and tax-related data are retained for 7 years to comply with global financial regulations.
- Account Deletion: You may request deletion of your Skillagig account and associated personal data at any time. To learn how to initiate an account deletion request, please visit our Account Deletion page. Certain information, such as completed transaction, payment, tax, security, fraud-prevention, or regulatory records, may be retained where legally required.
- Biometric Data: Stripe typically deletes biometric “identifiers” (the mathematical map of your face) within a set period after verification is complete, as dictated by their own retention policies.
5. Your Global Rights
Depending on your location (e.g., EU, UK, California, Canada), you have the right to:
- Access: Request a copy of the data we hold about you.
- Correction: Fix any inaccurate information.
- Portability: Move your data to another service.
- Opt-Out: Stop receiving marketing communications or limit the use of “Sensitive Personal Information.”
6. Security Measures
We implement industry-standard encryption (AES-256 at rest and TLS in transit). Because we use Stripe, Skillagig never stores your full credit card number or your raw government ID documents on our own servers.
7. Children’s Privacy
Skillagig is a marketplace for adults. We do not knowingly collect data from anyone under the age of 18 (or the legal age of majority in your jurisdiction).
Community Guidelines
Last Updated: February 10, 2026
Welcome to Skillagig! Our mission is to build a global community where talent is recognized, work is fair, and trust is the default. To keep our marketplace thriving, we ask all Gigsters and Skillsters to follow these four pillars of conduct.
1. Be Real and Transparent
Trust starts with knowing who you are working with.
- Authenticity: Use your real name and a clear, current photo of yourself. Misrepresentation or “catfishing” is a zero-tolerance offense.
- Skills Honesty: Only apply for gigs you are qualified to perform. Providing false certifications or exaggerating experience undermines the platform for everyone.
- Keep it on Skillagig: For your safety and to maintain the service fee, which keeps the lights on—all communication and payments must happen through the app. Moving off-platform voids your dispute protections.
2. Safety First, Always
We are a “Safety-First” platform. Every check we provide (ID, Background, MVR) is a tool for your protection.
- On-Site Safety: If a gig requires physical presence, be mindful of your surroundings. Skillsters should arrive with proper safety gear, and Gigsters should provide a safe work environment.
- Zero Tolerance for Harassment: We have no room for hate speech, discrimination, bullying, or unwanted advances. We celebrate a global community of diverse backgrounds and skills.
- Protect Privacy: Never share a user’s private information (phone, address, email) outside of what is necessary to complete a gig.
3. Professionalism & Quality
Skillagig is a marketplace for experts. Whether you’re moving boxes or designing a website, quality matters.
- Clear Communication: Respond to messages promptly. If you’re going to be late or a deadline changes, communicate it immediately.
- Honor Your Commitments: Cancellations hurt the community. Only book a gig if you are 100% committed to showing up and delivering.
- Fair Pricing: Skillsters should set fair rates for their expertise, and Gigsters should respect the value of that skill.
4. Constructive Feedback
Reviews are the lifeblood of Skillagig.
- Be Honest but Kind: Leave reviews that are factual and helpful. If a gig didn’t go well, explain why constructively rather than using personal attacks.
- No “Feedback Padding”: Attempting to boost your rating through fake gigs or bribing users for 5-star reviews will result in account suspension.
