Terms of service

Users must be legally capable of entering the transactions they create. Additional age restrictions may apply to receiving payouts, certain services, or Stripe accounts.

Town Works provides infrastructure that allows independent participants to document and facilitate transactions. Except where expressly stated, Town Works is not a party performing the underlying service and does not become the employer, agent, partner, joint venturer, contractor, or representative of either participant. See about for what Town Works is and isn’t responsible for.

The buyer and provider are responsible for agreeing on:

• scope
• price
• timing
• materials
• access
• cancellation terms
• service-specific requirements.

The transaction record may memorialize those terms.

Electronic payments may be processed by Stripe or another third party. Users agree to applicable payment-provider terms. Fees and charges are shown before transaction confirmation. See payments.

The Refund and Dispute Policy and Cancellation Policy are incorporated into these Terms.

A provider who receives payment through Town Works is also bound by the Provider Agreement, including its Stripe Connect data-sharing terms.

Providers must satisfy legal requirements applicable to the work they perform. Town Works may request evidence of licensing, certification, insurance, registration, or other authorization.

Users are responsible for exercising reasonable judgment when interacting with people they meet through Town Works. Identity or payment verification reduces certain risks but does not establish that a participant is safe, competent, licensed, trustworthy, or appropriate for every job.

Users may not:

• commit fraud;
• misrepresent goods, services, identity, qualifications, or transaction history;
• evade platform safety or financial controls;
• use Town Works as a general money-transfer system;
• manipulate reputation;
• threaten, harass, exploit, or discriminate unlawfully;
• sell prohibited goods or services;
• use another person's payment or identity information without authorization;
• interfere with platform security.

See acceptable use for restricted and prohibited services specifically.

Town Works may restrict or suspend accounts when reasonably necessary to protect users, investigate suspected fraud or abuse, satisfy payment-provider requirements, comply with law, or enforce these Terms.

Community-reserve contributions and assistance are governed by the applicable reserve rules — see protection. Unless expressly identified as an insurance policy issued by a licensed insurer, a community reserve is not represented as insurance.

Town Works relies on third parties including payment processors, banks, hosting providers, communications services, and potentially identity-verification and insurance providers. Town Works cannot guarantee uninterrupted performance of third-party systems.

Town Works may update these Terms as the service develops. Material changes will be communicated as required by law.