Twohands Hiring and Safety Guide

1 Understand the connection

Twohands helps you discover independent Pros and communicate. You decide who to contact and hire. Twohands does not independently verify or guarantee licenses, insurance, background, reviews or work. It does not provide project agreements, process project payments, supervise work or offer a satisfaction or reimbursement guarantee.

This guide provides general information. It does not replace advice from an appropriate licensed professional, insurer or attorney, and it does not determine the requirements for every project. Legal duties and your direct agreements still apply.

2 Before hiring a Pro

Identify the business that will actually contract with you and who will do the work. Check required licenses with the issuing authority for your trade and location. Confirm that the license holder, status and scope match your project. A business registration, portfolio or license from another area may not be enough.

Ask for insurance information appropriate to the work. Consider general liability and workers' compensation where relevant, and confirm coverage with the insurer or authorized insurance professional. Ask about exclusions and coverage for the people performing the job. An uploaded certificate or a Pro's statement is not Twohands verification or a promise that a claim will be paid.

Speak with references, review examples of comparable work and ask what the Pro actually did in each example. Read reviews in context: an inquiry experience differs from a completed job. Compare scope, materials and exclusions when assessing prices. Avoid hiring under pressure or relying solely on a low quote.

3 Agree directly on the project

Obtain a clear written agreement directly with the Pro where appropriate and whenever required by law. Cover the contracting business, scope, materials, total price or pricing method, schedule, payment terms, permits, who will perform the work, changes, warranties and cancellation rights. Obtain signed copies and keep records outside the Platform.

For covered New York home-improvement contracts, the law requires a signed written contract with prescribed terms and notices, including applicable cancellation and insurance disclosures. Local requirements may also apply. A Twohands post or message thread does not establish that these requirements have been met. Seek qualified advice for the rules that apply to your work.

Agree directly on any site-visit charge before the visit. Ask how changes and additional workers will be authorized. Confirm permits and any approval from a landlord, building, condominium, cooperative or other responsible party. Pros must follow applicable cancellation and advance-payment rules; using a directory does not waive those rules.

4 Payments and personal information

Pay the Pro directly under your lawful agreement. Twohands does not collect or protect those payments, resolve chargebacks, reimburse losses or guarantee a refund. Confirm payment instructions through a trusted channel if they change. Be cautious about urgent requests, unfamiliar recipients, gift cards, cryptocurrency or transfers that are difficult to recover. Consult your bank or payment provider about their protections.

Keep sensitive details out of public posts and photos, including access codes, identification documents and financial information. Check the audience shown for the information you publish. You can continue initial communications within Twohands and choose whether to share additional information. Do not assume a recipient cannot retain a copy of what you send.

5 Visits and work at the property

Agree on who is coming, when, and for what purpose. Verify the person and business before allowing access. Consider having another adult present for a first visit and share only the access needed. Tell the Pro about known relevant hazards and building restrictions. Secure valuables, pets and private information as appropriate.

Pros are responsible for safe work practices and the people they engage. Homeowners should not ask a Pro to bypass required permits, licensing, safety precautions or legal protections. If conditions appear unsafe, stop the interaction and seek qualified assistance. A Twohands introduction does not establish that a person is safe to enter your home or that the jobsite is safe for a Pro.

6 Guidance for Pros

Confirm the requester's authority, project location, scope and any agreed visit charge before attending. Use lawful written contracts and required disclosures. Explain who will work on the project and confirm the permits, access and hazards relevant to your work. Keep your credentials and insurance appropriate to the job and your workers.

Protect homeowner information and respect communication preferences. Keep business records of agreements, changes and payments. Decline work you cannot lawfully or safely perform. Twohands does not guarantee that an inquiry is genuine, that a Homeowner will hire or pay you, or that a project site is safe.

7 When something goes wrong

Address service, payment and workmanship concerns directly with the other party in writing. Preserve messages, invoices, agreements and relevant photos. Where appropriate, contact the contractor's insurer, your own insurer, licensing authority, consumer-protection agency, counsel or a court. Do not assume a report to Twohands is a formal contractual or statutory notice to the Pro.

Report suspected Platform fraud, false credentials, harassment or other policy violations through the Report option on a profile, project or conversation, or by email to support@usetwohands.com. Twohands can review Platform conduct and account access under its policies, but it does not undertake to inspect work, decide legal liability, enforce your service agreement or recover money. Reporting does not waive your legal remedies.

Call 911 for immediate danger or an emergency. Twohands messages and support are not emergency channels. For New York consumer assistance, visit ag.ny.gov; for New York City licensing information, visit nyc.gov/dcwp. Use the relevant county, town or trade licensing authority for other locations.