Customer Questions:
Who are Helpers?
Helpers are anyone over the age of eighteen looking to provide labor services. Helpers vary from stay at home moms, to handymen, to small businesses. Some service providers are fully licensed & insured companies and some are individuals who use HireAHelper as a secondary income source. Helpers use their personal description to give you more insight about who they are.
Are Helpers employees of HireAHelper?
No. Helpers work as independent contractors, or employees of the business they are representing.
Are Helpers bonded and/or insured?
Some Helpers are, and some Helpers are not. HireAHelper does not insure or protect Customers or Helpers. Helpers will specify whether or not they are bonded, licensed, insured, etc. in their personal description. Be sure to discuss this with your Helper directly for more information.
How do I make changes to my job order?
Any changes are to be discussed directly through with your Helper. We recommend discussing further details through e-mail or over the phone. * Please note that rescheduling may interfere with your Helper's availability.
What is the Payment Release Line?
The Payment Release Line (866-648-5206) is your way of telling us that the job has been completed. The Helper will not receive their payment for the job until you call this number and give us the go-ahead that job was completed and satisfactory.
How am I notified if a Helper accepts or rejects my order?
When a Helper accepts or rejects your job order, you will receive an automated e-mail notification. Helpers will typically call the number you provide as your contact number within 1-24 hours.
What happens if a Helper rejects my order?
If a Helper is unavailable to offer assistance, you have two options: either select another Helper for the job, or cancel your order at no cost to you.
Why do you need my credit card information?
Your billing information is used to verify the information you have provided, and ensure that the proper funds are available. HireAHelper is a secure, unbiased payment processor. Our site is secured and encrypted for your safety. We use a payment processor, and have a payment system in place that safeguards you, the customer, from dealing with any hidden charges or fees. Read more about our security and quality measures. Our system prevents Helpers from receiving payment before the job is completed. Therefore, there is no incentive for Helpers to accept jobs unless they intend to complete them. You are also able to receive a refund anytime until the job is completed.
Why is there a charge on my credit card* if my job hasn't been accepted yet?
When we verify your credit card, we have to notify your credit company to verify the information is correct, and the funds are available. Your credit company will then place the purchase amount as "pending." This is done by your credit company to prevent you from overspending your account. The amount is frozen until further action is taken. Once the job is accepted, the funds are captured and distributed once the job is completed. If the job is rejected, you will need to select a new Helper or cancel your order to release your funds.
* Please note: If you are using a debit card with a credit card company logo, the process is slightly different. Once you enter your card information, your bank will remove the funds from your account immediately. HireAHelper is not responsible for any fees imposed by your bank.
Can I cancel my order after it's been accepted?
Orders can be canceled and refunded anytime prior to the completion of the job. However once you give authorize payment release (via the Payment Release Line at 866-648-5206) you have acknowledged that they have completed the work requested of them in a satisfactory manner and at that point your order cannot be canceled or changed. When your order is booked, the funds are captured from your card. By canceling your order, a refund is initiated. The entire amount that you were charged will be returned to your card. Refunds may take between 1-5 business days.
What is the refund policy?
An order can be canceled or rescheduled up until the evening before the day of the job for a full refund. If you cancel on the day of the job in most cases you will be required to reimburse the crew for one hour of their time and their travel fee. In order to cancel please give the helper a call at the number you have been given for them, and to have the refund processed call HireAHelper support at (866) 994-4473.
What if a Helper accepts my order, but does not show up?
In the unlikely event that you're unable to make sufficient contact with your Helper on the day of the job, please contact HireAHelper Support immediately. We'll do out best to find you a replacement Helper, or issue your full refund.
What do I do if a Helper damages my property during a job?
If you suffer damages during a job, we encourage you to pursue recourse for such damages against the Helper or the Helper's company. HireAHelper is in no way responsible for the actions of a Helper or the quality of services rendered. If such an occurrence was to happen, we do hope that you would seek proper retribution against the Helper, and inform us of the situation so proper reviews can be made available for other Customers. Please refer to the terms and conditions agreed upon before ordering services.
Can I tip a Helper?
Absolutely, we hope that you are pleased with the services provided by the Helper. However, you are not required/expected to.
Helper Questions:
How do I become a Helper?
The signup process is completely online:
Sign up now!
How old do I have to be to become a Helper?
All Helpers must be at least 18 years of age.
I do not have a company; can I still become a Helper?
If you do not represent a company, you can still sign up to be a Helper. You will be asked to create a "Company Name." This is the name that customers will see and know you as. Your company name can be anything from your name, to a clever description of your services.
Is it free to sign up as a Helper?
Signing up is free. However, if you receive a job through HireAHelper, we will subtract a mandatory 15% advertising and processing fee from your final payment. For example, if your rates are set at $25.00 per hour, and you are hired for a 4 hour job, the total for your services would be $100.00. If you complete the job you will receive a payment of $100.00 – 15%, or $85.00. This fee covers the costs of credit card processing, and the advertising necessary for your customer to locate you on HireAHelper.
Do I have to be bonded, licensed, and/or insured?
No. However, if you are, please specify so in your Helper Profile. Customers are more likely to hire your services if they know whether or not this information can be supplied.
How do I get paid?
You can choose to receive your payments either electronically through direct deposit, or in the form of a mailed check. Direct deposit transfers are much quicker, and just require the name of the person on the account, the routing and account number.
What do I do once I'm signed up as a Helper?
- First you'll want to perfect your Helper Profile. Be sure all the information entered is correct, especially your phone number, payment information, availability, and rates.
- Keep a detailed profile- state whether you are licensed, insured, and/or bonded, if you can offer any tools or supplies, what qualifications you have, and a little bit about yourself. Remember this is the only communication you will have with your Customers before an order is placed.
- Check your e-mail often. When you receive a job request, be sure to respond as soon as possible. Offers neglected for more than 24 hours may be marked "no response". Once you've checked out an offer, call the customer for more information. Be sure to discuss what time they'd like to get started, and any special instructions they may have. Let your customer know by phone or e-mail whether you'll be available or not.
- If you've accepted an offer, be sure you keep close contact with your customer. When the job is complete, have the customer call the Payment Release Line at 866-648-5206. In about 30 seconds they will be able to release your payment to you and you'll get paid.
