Terms of Service

SpotBench (“SpotBench,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) operates a referral and communication platform at getspotbench.com that connects independent trade professionals (“Providers”) with property managers, general contractors, and others seeking skilled labor (“Hirers”).

SpotBench is a referral agency only. We do not employ Providers, direct their work, set their rates, or guarantee any outcome. Our relationship with Providers is governed by California Labor Code §2777 (AB5 Referral Agency exemption) and Construction Subcontractor exemption §2781. SpotBench does not act as a general contractor, staffing agency, or employer of record.

• Age requirement: You must be at least 18 years old to create an account or use the platform. By creating an account, you represent and warrant that you are 18 or older. SpotBench does not independently verify user age. If we learn that a user is under 18, we will immediately terminate their account. For Providers, note that California Labor Code §1292 prohibits workers under 16 from performing construction work, and workers aged 16–17 are subject to additional restrictions under California child labor laws. You are solely responsible for complying with all applicable age-related labor laws.
• You must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
• You must provide accurate, complete, and current information.
• One person or entity may maintain only one active account. Creating duplicate accounts to circumvent limits, bans, or subscription requirements is prohibited and may result in permanent suspension of all associated accounts.
• Accounts are non-transferable.

To appear in search results as a Provider, you must complete and sign the SpotBench Independent Contractor Attestation (version dated at time of signing). By signing you confirm under penalty of perjury that you operate as an independent business, set your own rates and hours, use your own tools and equipment, and are financially responsible for your own work.

If your circumstances change such that you no longer meet the attestation conditions, you must notify SpotBench immediately and may be removed from search listings.

You agree NOT to:

• Create multiple accounts or use false identities to evade bans or limits.
• Scrape, harvest, or programmatically access provider contact information.
• Use SpotBench data to build a competing directory or contact database.
• Misrepresent your credentials, licenses, identity, age, or work authorization status.
• Harass, threaten, or discriminate against other users.
• Post false reviews or engage in review manipulation.
• Attempt to solicit users off-platform to avoid subscription fees after initial contact through SpotBench.
• Use automated tools to send messages in bulk or scrape phone numbers.
• Violate any applicable federal, state, or local law.

SpotBench is committed to providing a platform free from unlawful discrimination. In connection with your use of the platform, you agree not to refuse, restrict, or otherwise discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, age, familial status, ancestry, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, California, or local law, including the California Unruh Civil Rights Act (Civil Code §51).

SpotBench reserves the right to suspend or permanently ban any user who we reasonably believe has engaged in discriminatory conduct on or through the platform. SpotBench does not screen users for discriminatory intent and is not responsible for the conduct of individual Hirers or Providers; however, we will investigate credible reports and take appropriate action.

Certain features — including viewing provider phone numbers and sending initial messages — require a paid subscription. Subscriptions are billed monthly or annually in advance via Stripe. All fees are in USD and non-refundable except as required by applicable law.

You may cancel your subscription at any time. Access continues until the end of the current billing period. SpotBench reserves the right to change pricing with 30 days' notice.

You retain ownership of content you post (profile information, photos, messages). By posting content, you grant SpotBench a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide license to display and distribute that content in connection with operating the platform.

You are solely responsible for the accuracy of your profile, portfolio, reviews you write, and any representations made to other users.

Reviews disclaimer: Reviews and ratings on the platform are user-generated content submitted by Hirers and Providers. SpotBench does not verify, endorse, or guarantee the accuracy of any review. Reviews reflect the personal opinions of individual users and should not be relied upon as the sole basis for hiring decisions. SpotBench is not liable for any harm resulting from reliance on platform reviews.

AI-assisted messaging: The platform may offer AI-assisted message composition suggestions. These suggestions are generated automatically and may not accurately reflect your intentions. You are solely responsible for reviewing and approving any message before sending it. SpotBench is not liable for the content of AI-generated suggestions or for any consequences arising from messages you choose to send.

SpotBench does not employ, supervise, direct, or control Providers. We do not guarantee the quality, safety, or legality of services performed. Any contract for services is solely between the Hirer and Provider. SpotBench is not a party to any such agreement.

Providers are solely responsible for: their own taxes and tax filings; workers' compensation; general liability insurance; compliance with CSLB and other licensing requirements; and any other obligations of an independent business owner.

No background checks: SpotBench does not conduct criminal background checks, identity verification, sex offender registry checks, or any other screening of Providers or Hirers. We make no representations about the character, integrity, or safety of any user. Hirers are solely responsible for conducting their own due diligence — including background checks — before allowing any Provider access to their property or engaging their services.

Insurance not verified: Any insurance information displayed on Provider profiles is self-reported by the Provider and has not been verified by SpotBench. SpotBench does not confirm whether a Provider holds valid, current, or adequate insurance coverage of any kind. Hirers are strongly encouraged to request proof of insurance directly from any Provider before commencing work.

THE PLATFORM IS PROVIDED “AS IS” WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND. SPOTBENCH DOES NOT WARRANT THAT THE PLATFORM WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED OR ERROR-FREE, THAT PROVIDER CREDENTIALS ARE ACCURATE, OR THAT ANY PARTICULAR OUTCOME WILL RESULT FROM USE OF THE PLATFORM.

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY CALIFORNIA LAW, SPOTBENCH'S TOTAL LIABILITY TO YOU FOR ANY CLAIM ARISING FROM THESE TERMS OR YOUR USE OF THE PLATFORM SHALL NOT EXCEED THE GREATER OF (A) THE AMOUNT YOU PAID TO SPOTBENCH IN THE 12 MONTHS PRECEDING THE CLAIM OR (B) $100 USD.

SPOTBENCH IS NOT LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, INCLUDING LOSS OF PROFITS, DATA, OR BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES.

License verification disclaimer: Any license status displayed on Provider profiles reflects data obtained from the California State License Board (CSLB) public database at the time of the Provider's last verification check. SpotBench does not continuously monitor license status and does not guarantee that a displayed license is currently valid, active, unexpired, or unsuspended. Additionally, SpotBench does not verify that the license number entered by a Provider belongs to that Provider or their business. License status may change at any time after verification. Hirers are strongly encouraged to independently verify any Provider's license directly at cslb.ca.gov before entering into any agreement for services.

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless SpotBench, its officers, directors, employees, and agents from any claims, damages, liabilities, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising from: (a) your use of the platform; (b) your violation of these Terms; (c) your violation of any applicable law or regulation; (d) any services performed or not performed by you as a Provider or Hirer; or (e) infringement of any third-party rights.

SpotBench respects intellectual property rights. Our designated copyright agent is registered with the U.S. Copyright Office (Registration No. DMCA-1071903). If you believe that content on the platform infringes your copyright, please send a written notice to our designated copyright agent at legal@getspotbench.com containing:

• A description of the copyrighted work you claim has been infringed.
• The URL or location on the platform where the allegedly infringing material is located.
• Your contact information (name, address, phone, email).
• A statement that you have a good-faith belief that the use is not authorized by the copyright owner.
• A statement under penalty of perjury that the information in your notice is accurate and that you are the copyright owner or authorized to act on their behalf.
• Your physical or electronic signature.

Upon receipt of a valid DMCA notice, SpotBench will remove or disable access to the allegedly infringing content and notify the user who posted it. Users who repeatedly infringe copyrights may have their accounts terminated.

Transactional emails: By creating an account, you consent to receive transactional and service-related emails (account confirmations, security alerts, subscription receipts, platform notifications). These are necessary to operate your account and cannot be opted out of while your account is active.

Marketing communications: We may send you promotional emails about new features or offers. You may opt out at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in any marketing email or by contacting us at legal@getspotbench.com.

Analytics and cookies: The platform uses cookies and analytics tools (including usage analytics and payment processing) to operate and improve our service. By using the platform, you consent to this data collection as described in our Privacy Policy. You can manage cookie preferences through your browser settings; however, disabling certain cookies may affect platform functionality.

SpotBench shall not be liable for any delay or failure to perform resulting from causes outside its reasonable control, including but not limited to: acts of God, natural disasters, pandemic, war, terrorism, riot, fire, labor disputes, power outages, internet or telecommunications failures, or actions of government authorities. During such events, our obligations under these Terms will be suspended to the extent affected, and we will use commercially reasonable efforts to resume normal service as soon as practicable.

SpotBench may suspend or terminate your account at any time for violation of these Terms, fraudulent activity, or any other reason at our discretion. Upon termination, your right to use the platform immediately ceases. Provisions that by their nature survive termination (Sections 7–15) shall continue to apply.

Informal resolution first: Before filing any formal proceeding, the parties agree to attempt to resolve the dispute informally for at least 30 days by contacting us at legal@getspotbench.com.

Binding arbitration: If informal resolution fails, any dispute, claim, or controversy arising out of or relating to these Terms or your use of the platform (“Dispute”) shall be resolved by binding individual arbitration administered by JAMS under its Streamlined Arbitration Rules, except as provided below. The arbitration shall be conducted in Los Angeles County, California, or by videoconference. The arbitrator's decision shall be final and binding and may be entered as a judgment in any court of competent jurisdiction.

Class action waiver: YOU AND SPOTBENCH AGREE THAT EACH MAY BRING CLAIMS AGAINST THE OTHER ONLY IN YOUR OR ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, AND NOT AS A PLAINTIFF OR CLASS MEMBER IN ANY PURPORTED CLASS OR REPRESENTATIVE ACTION. The arbitrator may not consolidate more than one person's claims, and may not otherwise preside over any form of representative or class proceeding.

Exceptions: Either party may seek emergency injunctive or equitable relief from a court of competent jurisdiction to prevent irreparable harm, and claims within the jurisdiction of small claims court may be brought there.

Opt-out: You may opt out of the arbitration agreement within 30 days of first accepting these Terms by sending written notice to legal@getspotbench.com with subject line “Arbitration Opt-Out” and your name and account email. Opting out does not affect any other provision of these Terms.

Governing law: These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of California. For matters not subject to arbitration, you consent to exclusive jurisdiction in the state or federal courts located in Los Angeles County, California.

Limitation period: ANY CLAIM ARISING FROM THESE TERMS OR YOUR USE OF THE PLATFORM MUST BE BROUGHT WITHIN ONE (1) YEAR OF THE DATE THE CLAIM AROSE, OR IT IS PERMANENTLY BARRED. This limitation period applies regardless of any statute of limitations that would otherwise apply under applicable law.

We may update these Terms from time to time. We will notify you via email or in-app notice at least 14 days before material changes take effect. Continued use after that date constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.

SpotBench
Los Angeles, California
Email: legal@getspotbench.com