Tradesperson Agreement

This Tradesperson Agreement forms part of the TradesLink Terms and Conditions. By creating or maintaining a Tradesperson account on TradesLink, you agree to be bound by this Agreement and all other applicable TradesLink policies.

1. Purpose

This Agreement sets out the rights, responsibilities and obligations of tradespeople using the TradesLink platform.

2. Independent Contractor Status

Tradespeople acknowledge and agree that:

• they operate as independent contractors or independent businesses
• they are not employees, partners, agents or representatives of TradesLink
• nothing in this Agreement creates an employment relationship

Tradespeople remain solely responsible for the services they provide.

3. Eligibility

To register as a Tradesperson you must:

• be at least eighteen (18) years old
• have the legal capacity to enter into binding agreements
• provide truthful information
• comply with all applicable South African laws

Where legally required, you must also possess the licences, registrations or certifications necessary to perform your services.

4. Declaration

By joining TradesLink, you declare that:

• all information you provide is accurate and complete
• you possess the skills, experience and competence necessary to perform the services you advertise
• where required by law, you hold the appropriate qualifications, licences and permits
• you will promptly update any information that becomes inaccurate

Providing false or misleading information may result in suspension or permanent removal from the platform.

5. Verification

TradesLink may verify certain information provided by tradespeople. Verification may include, where applicable:

• visual inspection of a South African identity document
• confirmation of qualifications where required
• verification of business information where voluntarily provided

Verification is conducted for platform integrity only and does not guarantee future work quality.

TradesLink reserves the right to refuse, suspend or withdraw verification at its discretion.

6. Jobs

Tradespeople may:

• express interest in available jobs
• discuss the agreed scope of work through TradesLink's designated communication process
• accept or decline opportunities

Acceptance of a job represents a commitment to perform the agreed work professionally and within the agreed timeframe.

7. Communication

For platform-managed jobs, communication should occur through TradesLink's designated communication process.

Tradespeople must:

• communicate respectfully
• provide accurate information
• respond within a reasonable time where practical

8. Pricing

Tradespeople are responsible for determining their own labour charges. TradesLink does not set labour prices.

Once a price has been agreed and payment has been made, changes should only occur where both parties agree and TradesLink is notified.

9. Payments

Customer payments are collected and temporarily held by TradesLink.

Upon successful completion of the job, TradesLink will deduct its applicable commission before releasing the remaining balance.

Tradespeople acknowledge that payments may be delayed where:

• disputes arise
• fraud is suspected
• additional verification is required
• legal obligations require a delay
• circumstances beyond TradesLink's reasonable control occur

10. Commission

TradesLink currently charges a commission of twelve percent (12%) of the agreed job value.

Tradespeople agree to this commission for each completed platform job.

TradesLink may revise commission rates upon providing reasonable notice.

11. Platform Circumvention

Tradespeople may not intentionally avoid TradesLink's commission by:

• requesting direct payment outside the platform
• encouraging customers to cancel platform payments
• arranging future platform-introduced jobs outside TradesLink for the purpose of avoiding commission

Where TradesLink reasonably determines that intentional circumvention has occurred, TradesLink may:

• recover unpaid commissions where legally permitted
• suspend the account
• permanently terminate the account

12. Workmanship

Tradespeople agree to:

• perform services with reasonable care and skill
• complete work honestly
• comply with applicable safety requirements
• respect customer property
• leave work areas in a reasonably clean condition where appropriate

13. Damage and Liability

Tradespeople remain solely responsible for:

• their workmanship
• damage caused during their work
• theft or dishonest conduct
• negligence
• injuries arising from their actions
• compliance with applicable laws and regulations

TradesLink is not responsible for losses resulting from the conduct or workmanship of independent tradespeople.

14. Insurance

Tradespeople are responsible for obtaining any insurance they consider appropriate for their business or profession.

TradesLink does not require or verify insurance unless expressly stated otherwise. The absence of an insurance requirement does not limit a tradesperson's legal responsibilities.

15. Reviews

Tradespeople acknowledge that customers may leave reviews based on genuine experiences. TradesLink may remove reviews that:

• are false
• abusive
• defamatory
• discriminatory
• unrelated to an actual platform transaction

16. Account Suspension

TradesLink may suspend or permanently remove a Tradesperson account where the user:

• provides false information
• repeatedly fails to honour accepted jobs
• receives credible complaints of serious misconduct
• commits fraud
• attempts to evade TradesLink's payment system
• breaches this Agreement or other TradesLink policies

17. Taxes

Tradespeople are solely responsible for:

• declaring income
• complying with tax obligations
• paying any taxes required under South African law

TradesLink does not provide tax or accounting advice.

18. Confidentiality

Tradespeople must not misuse confidential information obtained through the platform. Personal information relating to customers must only be used for completing the agreed job.

19. Compliance with Laws

Tradespeople agree to comply with all applicable South African laws, regulations and professional requirements relevant to the services they provide.

20. Changes to this Agreement

TradesLink may amend this Agreement from time to time. Updated versions will be published on the platform. Continued use of the platform after changes become effective constitutes acceptance of the revised Agreement where permitted by law.

21. Contact

Questions regarding this Agreement may be directed to: