Service Provider Agreement
Last updated: March 4, 2026
This Service Provider Agreement ("Agreement") governs your participation as a service provider on the YBuffet Platform. By creating a service provider profile or listing a service, you agree to this Agreement in addition to our Terms of Service and Community Guidelines.
1. Eligibility and Account
To list services on the Platform, you must:
Be at least 18 years old or a duly authorized representative of a legal business entity
Complete the service provider registration process, including any required profile information
Maintain accurate and up-to-date account information at all times
Have the legal right to offer the services you list
YBuffet reserves the right to deny or revoke service provider status at its sole discretion.
2. Credential Verification
Self-Reported Credentials: Service providers are responsible for the accuracy of all credentials, licenses, certifications, and qualifications listed in their profiles. YBuffet does not independently verify credentials unless explicitly stated.
Verification Program: YBuffet may offer an optional Verified Provider badge for providers who submit supporting documentation (e.g., professional licenses, certifications, business registration). Verified status indicates YBuffet has reviewed submitted documents at a point in time -- it does not constitute an ongoing endorsement or guarantee of qualifications. YBuffet reserves the right to revoke Verified status if documentation is found to be inaccurate or expired.
False Credentials: Listing false, expired, or misleading credentials is a material violation of this Agreement and will result in immediate account suspension and potential permanent termination. YBuffet may report instances of fraudulent credentialing to relevant professional bodies or law enforcement.
3. Service Listings
Your service listings must accurately represent:
The nature and scope of services offered
Pricing, including any applicable fees, taxes, or additional costs
Estimated delivery timelines
Geographic availability or location requirements
Any prerequisites, limitations, or exclusions
Your availability for new engagements
You must update your listings promptly when any of the above information changes. Listings that are materially misleading may be removed without notice.
4. Service Delivery Obligations
When a builder engages your services through the Platform:
You commit to delivering services substantially as described in your listing and as agreed with the buyer
You must communicate proactively about any delays, scope changes, or issues that arise
You must not sub-contract or delegate work to third parties without the buyer’s prior written consent
You must maintain professional conduct in all communications and interactions with buyers
You must deliver work product that does not infringe third-party intellectual property rights
5. Fees and Payments
YBuffet charges service providers a platform fee on completed transactions, as disclosed in the Platform at the time of service listing creation and updated from time to time with advance notice. You agree to:
Pay all applicable platform fees as they become due
Not solicit or accept payment outside of the Platform’s designated payment systems for engagements originating on the Platform
Not list lower prices on the Platform as bait to redirect buyers to off-platform transactions
Payments to service providers are processed according to our payment schedule, subject to any applicable holds for disputes or policy violations.
6. Cancellation and Refund Framework
Provider-Initiated Cancellation: If you cancel a confirmed engagement, you must notify the buyer as soon as possible through the Platform messaging system. For cancellations within 48 hours of a scheduled delivery or start date, the buyer is entitled to a full refund of any prepaid amounts. Repeated provider-initiated cancellations may result in reduced search visibility, loss of Verified status, or account suspension.
Buyer-Initiated Cancellation: Buyers may cancel an engagement subject to your stated cancellation policy as disclosed in your listing. If no cancellation policy is stated, the default policy applies: full refund if cancelled more than 48 hours before the agreed start date; 50% refund if cancelled within 48 hours; no refund after work has commenced, except as required by applicable law.
Non-Delivery: If you fail to deliver services within a reasonable time after the agreed deadline without communication, the buyer may request a full refund through the Platform’s dispute process. YBuffet will review non-delivery claims and may issue refunds at its discretion. Repeated non-delivery will result in account suspension.
Refund Process: Refunds are processed through the Platform’s payment system. YBuffet’s platform fees are non-refundable except in cases of verified provider non-delivery or fraud.
7. Account Suspension and Active Engagements
Notice Before Suspension: Except for serious violations (fraud, illegal activity, immediate safety concerns), YBuffet will provide at least 48 hours’ notice before suspending a service provider account, to allow for the transition of active engagements.
Active Engagements at Suspension: If your account is suspended or terminated while you have active, paid engagements: (a) you must complete any engagements for which you have already received payment or that are substantially underway, unless the suspension was due to conduct directly related to those engagements; (b) for engagements not yet started, YBuffet will notify the buyer and process full refunds; (c) YBuffet may, at its discretion, facilitate transition of in-progress engagements to alternative providers.
Permanent Termination: Upon permanent termination, you forfeit any unpaid platform fees owed to you only for engagements that were the subject of verified policy violations. For all other completed engagements, outstanding payments will be processed according to the normal payment schedule.
8. Insurance Requirements
Recommended Coverage: While YBuffet does not currently mandate insurance for all service providers, we strongly recommend that providers offering professional services (legal, financial, medical, engineering, and similar regulated services) carry appropriate professional liability (errors and omissions) insurance with minimum coverage of $1,000,000 per occurrence.
Required Coverage for High-Risk Services: Providers offering services that involve physical presence at a client’s location, handling of client property, or activities with elevated physical risk must carry general liability insurance with minimum coverage of $1,000,000 per occurrence before accepting engagements through the Platform. YBuffet may request proof of coverage at any time and may suspend listings if adequate coverage cannot be verified.
YBuffet’s Limitation: YBuffet does not provide insurance coverage for service providers or their engagements. Service providers are solely responsible for maintaining appropriate insurance. YBuffet’s liability to service providers is limited as described in our Terms of Service.
9. Reviews and Ratings
Reviews and ratings from buyers are a core part of the YBuffet marketplace. You agree that:
You will not offer incentives in exchange for positive reviews
You will not pressure, threaten, or retaliate against buyers who leave negative reviews
You will not solicit, arrange, or post fake reviews from any source
You may respond professionally to reviews through the Platform’s designated response feature
YBuffet may remove reviews that violate our Community Guidelines but will not remove negative reviews solely because you disagree with them.
10. Independent Contractor Status
You are an independent contractor, not an employee, agent, or partner of YBuffet. You are solely responsible for:
All taxes arising from your use of the Platform and income received
Your own business insurance and licensing
Compliance with all applicable laws governing your services
The quality and legality of your services
Nothing in this Agreement creates an employment, agency, joint venture, or partnership relationship between you and YBuffet.
11. Confidentiality
In the course of engagements, you may receive confidential information from buyers. You agree to:
Keep buyer confidential information strictly confidential
Use buyer confidential information only for the purpose of delivering the agreed services
Not disclose buyer confidential information to any third party without the buyer’s written consent
Delete or return confidential information upon request or upon completion of the engagement
12. Dispute Resolution
Buyer-Provider Disputes: If a dispute arises between you and a buyer regarding service delivery, quality, payment, or any other matter, both parties agree to first attempt resolution through the Platform’s messaging system within 7 days of the dispute arising.
YBuffet Mediation: If direct resolution fails, either party may escalate the dispute to YBuffet by contacting grow@ybuffet.com with a description of the dispute and supporting documentation. YBuffet will review the dispute and issue a non-binding recommendation within 14 business days. YBuffet’s review is a courtesy service; YBuffet is not a party to the underlying transaction and its recommendations are not legally binding.
Binding Arbitration: Any dispute between a service provider and YBuffet arising from this Agreement will be resolved by binding arbitration as described in the Terms of Service. Provider-buyer disputes that cannot be resolved through the above process may be pursued through applicable small claims courts or other legal forums.
Chargebacks: If a buyer initiates a payment chargeback that YBuffet determines is not supported by the facts of the dispute, you authorize YBuffet to deduct the disputed amount from your future payouts. YBuffet will notify you of any chargeback and provide an opportunity to respond before deducting amounts above $200.
13. Termination
Either party may terminate this Agreement with 30 days’ written notice, subject to completion of active engagements. YBuffet may terminate immediately for material violations including fraud, illegal conduct, or repeated policy violations. Upon termination, your service listings will be deactivated and you will no longer be able to accept new engagements through the Platform.
14. Changes to This Agreement
YBuffet may update this Agreement from time to time. We will provide at least 30 days’ notice of material changes. Your continued use of the Platform as a service provider after the effective date constitutes acceptance.