BuildBids Success Fee Policy

1. What the Success Fee pays for

The BuildBids Success Fee is a platform introduction fee. It compensates BuildBids for operating the marketplace and for delivering a completed connection: a verified contractor, a homeowner who reviewed bids and selected that contractor, and the release of both parties' contact information.

It is not a commission on construction work, a deposit, a progress payment, an escrow payment, a construction payment or a payment toward the construction contract.

2. When it applies and how it is calculated

Joining, verification, browsing and bidding are free. A Success Fee becomes payable only when a homeowner selects your bid. The fee is 5% of the accepted bid amount, subject to a minimum of $100 CAD and a maximum of $500 CAD.

The fee is calculated on the accepted bid amount at the moment of selection, is shown to you before you submit each bid, and is confirmed again before payment.

3. When the Success Fee is earned

The Success Fee is earned in full at the moment BuildBids releases contact information following payment. At that point BuildBids has delivered its entire service.

Connection means: the homeowner selected your bid, the Success Fee was paid, and each party received the other party's name, address, phone number and email.

4. Non-refundable after connection

Except where required by applicable law or where BuildBids expressly grants an exception, the Success Fee is non-refundable once contact information has been released. The fee remains earned if:

(a) the homeowner changes their mind or stops responding; (b) the project is cancelled, delayed, postponed or rescoped; (c) the parties cannot agree on final scope, price, schedule or contract terms; (d) the homeowner engages a different contractor; (e) the work never begins or is not completed; (f) the parties disagree after being connected; or (g) either party is dissatisfied with the other.

BuildBids is paid for the marketplace introduction, not for the performance of the construction work.

5. No guarantee of a construction agreement

BuildBids does not guarantee, warrant or promise that a connection will produce a signed construction agreement, that work will proceed, or that any revenue will result. Contractors accept this commercial risk when paying the Success Fee.

6. Refund exception requests

Refunds are never automatic. A contractor may submit a refund exception request describing the circumstances. Requests are reviewed and decided case by case by an authorized BuildBids administrator, whose decision is final.

Payment processing errors, duplicate charges and charges made in error are corrected and are not treated as refund exceptions.

7. Relationship to other BuildBids documents

This policy forms part of the Contractor Terms and the Terms of Service. Where a conflict exists regarding the Success Fee, this policy governs.

8. Contact

Questions about the Success Fee: support@buildbids.ca