Terms of Service

1. Introduction and Acceptance

Welcome to Kerf. These Terms of Service ("Terms") form a legally binding agreement between you and Kerf Technologies LLC, an Ohio limited liability company ("Kerf," "Company," "we," "us," or "our"), governing your access to and use of the Kerf website at kerfapp.io, our applications, and all related services (collectively, the "Platform").

By creating an account, accessing the Platform, or using any Kerf service, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms, our Privacy Policy, Acceptable Use Policy, Cookie Policy, Dispute Resolution Policy, and — if you are a Pro — the Pro/Service Provider Agreement (collectively, the "Agreement"). If you do not agree, do not use the Platform. If you use the Platform on behalf of a business, you represent that you have authority to bind that business.

2. Definitions

• "Platform" — the Kerf website (kerfapp.io), applications, APIs, and related services.
• "Customer" — a User who uses the Platform to request, receive, pay for, or review services. (Formerly "Homeowner.")
• "Pro" or "Service Professional" — a User who uses the Platform to offer, provide, receive payment for, or manage the provision of services.
• "Services" or "Pro Services" — the skilled-trade, home-improvement, maintenance, repair, or other services listed, quoted, scheduled, or provided by Pros.
• "Marketplace Transaction" — a job where Kerf connected the Customer and Pro through the Platform's marketplace.
• "CRM Invoice" — an invoice a Pro sends through Kerf's tools to the Pro's own pre-existing client, where Kerf did not originate the connection.
• "Content" / "User Content" — materials submitted to or displayed on the Platform, including profiles, reviews, messages, job descriptions, and photos.

3. The Role of Kerf (Platform, Not Provider)

3.1 Kerf Is a Technology Platform

Kerf provides an online marketplace and business-management tools that connect Customers with independent Pros and help Pros run their businesses. Kerf does not provide, perform, supervise, direct, control, or guarantee any Pro Services. Kerf is not a contractor, subcontractor, employer, agent, or partner of any Pro.

3.2 Not a Party to the Service Agreement

When a Customer engages a Pro, they enter a direct agreement with each other. Kerf is not a party to that agreement. Kerf facilitates the connection and payment but is not responsible for either party's performance.

3.3 No Endorsement or Guarantee

A Pro's presence on the Platform is not an endorsement, certification, or guarantee of qualifications, licensing, insurance, or work quality. Designations such as "verified" indicate only that a Pro completed a specific account process or submitted certain documents for review; they are not a warranty of competence, current licensure, coverage, or quality.

4. Eligibility

You must be at least 18 years old and able to form a binding contract. By using the Platform, you represent that you meet these requirements. Pros must additionally satisfy the Pro/Service Provider Agreement.

5. Accounts and Security

You agree to provide accurate, current, and complete information and to keep it updated. You are responsible for safeguarding your credentials and for all activity under your account, and must notify us immediately of unauthorized use. Do not share your account, create an account for another person, impersonate anyone, or maintain multiple accounts without our permission.

6. The Customer–Pro Relationship

6.1 Independent Contractors

Pros are independent contractors and independent businesses — not employees, agents, partners, or representatives of Kerf. Kerf does not control the manner, means, methods, scheduling, or pricing (except Platform fee structures) of any Pro's work. Pros set their own prices, schedules, and methods and choose which jobs to accept.

6.2 The Service Agreement

The agreement for Services is solely between Customer and Pro. Disputes about Services — including quality, scope, timeliness, damage, or payment for completed work — are fundamentally between them, subject to Section 15 and the Dispute Resolution Policy.

6.3 Respective Responsibilities

Customers are responsible for evaluating a Pro's suitability, confirming licensing/insurance where appropriate, and paying for Services as arranged. Pros are responsible for performing work competently, safely, and lawfully; maintaining required licensing and insurance; and any damage or injury arising from their work.

7. Customer Terms

7.1 You may use the Platform to describe your needs, receive quotes, engage a Pro, communicate, pay, and leave reviews.

7.2 You agree to provide accurate job information, to communicate in good faith, and to pay for Services you receive as arranged with the Pro (including through the Platform's payment features where applicable).

7.3 You are responsible for your own decisions in selecting and engaging a Pro. Kerf provides information (including reviews and verification badges) to assist you but does not guarantee it.

8. Pro Terms (Summary)

If you register as a Pro, additional terms apply under the Pro/Service Provider Agreement, including independent-contractor status, licensing and insurance requirements, workmanship standards, fee consent, payout terms, and enhanced indemnification. The Pro/Service Provider Agreement controls for Pro-specific matters.

9. Payments, Fees, and Payment Facilitation

9.1 Payment Processor

Payments are processed by our third-party payment processor, Stripe, Inc., subject to the processor's terms. Kerf does not store full payment card numbers.

9.2 Marketplace Transaction Fees

For Marketplace Transactions, the Customer pays the agreed price plus a Customer service fee, and the Pro receives the agreed price less a Pro platform fee, each as disclosed at the time of the transaction. Current fees: a 3% customer service fee and a 3% pro platform fee. Fees may be updated prospectively.

9.3 CRM Invoice Fees

For CRM Invoices (a Pro billing the Pro's own pre-existing client), the fee terms disclosed on the Platform apply. Current model: a client-side service fee only; the Pro pays no platform fee and keeps 100% of the invoice.

9.4 Crypto/Stablecoin Payments (if enabled)

If the Platform accepts stablecoin or other crypto-based payments, additional risks apply (volatility, irreversibility, regulatory uncertainty). Such payments are made at your own risk; Kerf is not responsible for losses arising from the nature of crypto assets.

9.5 Taxes

You are responsible for taxes applicable to your transactions except those Kerf is legally required to collect.

10. Subscriptions (Pro+)

Certain Pro features require a paid Pro+ subscription, billed monthly or annually at the rates disclosed at purchase, renewing automatically until cancelled. You may cancel effective at the end of the current billing period and retain access to paid features until then. Except as required by law or as otherwise stated in a specific offer, subscription fees are non-refundable, and cancellation takes effect at the end of the current billing period. Founding-Pro or other promotional pricing applies only as described in the specific offer, for its stated duration and eligibility, including on renewal and plan changes.

11. Refunds, Cancellations, and Authorization/Capture

11.1 Authorization and Capture

For Marketplace Transactions, a Customer's payment method may be authorized (held) when a quote is accepted and charged (captured) upon job completion and confirmation. If the job does not complete, the authorization may be released with no charge. Kerf may capture less than the authorized amount where the final agreed price is lower.

11.2 Cancellations vs. Refunds

Because payment is generally captured only on completion, a job that does not proceed generally results in no charge rather than a refund. Where a payment has been captured, refunds (full or partial) are handled case-by-case under Kerf's then-current policy and the Dispute Resolution Policy.

11.3 Not an Escrow Agent or Adjudicator

Kerf facilitates payments but does not hold funds as an escrow agent and does not adjudicate the merits of service-quality disputes.

11.4 Reversals

Refunds, chargebacks, or reversals may result in corresponding amounts — including any payout already made to a Pro — being reversed or offset against the Pro's balance, consistent with Kerf's policies and the processor's terms.

12. Reviews, Ratings, and User Content

12.1 License

You retain ownership of your User Content but grant Kerf a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to host, use, display, reproduce, and distribute it to operate and promote the Platform.

12.2 Reviews

Reviews must reflect genuine firsthand experiences and must not be false, defamatory, incentivized in violation of policy, or manipulated. Kerf may (but need not) moderate or remove content that violates the Agreement and does not guarantee the accuracy of user reviews or bear liability for their content.

12.3 Responsibility

You are solely responsible for your User Content and its consequences.

13. Prohibited Conduct

Your use is subject to the Acceptable Use Policy, incorporated by reference. Without limiting it, you agree not to: violate law; provide false information; circumvent or manipulate fees where prohibited; commit payment fraud; harass, threaten, or discriminate; post infringing or unlawful content; manipulate reviews; compromise Platform security; or misuse Platform features (including AI features).

14. AI-Powered Features

14.1 The Platform may offer AI-powered features (for example, to help describe a job or draft a quote). These features are provided to assist you and may not always be accurate or complete; you are responsible for reviewing and confirming any AI-assisted output.

14.2 You may not misuse AI features, including by attempting to manipulate them, extract system information, overload them, or use them for purposes other than their intended function.

14.3 User input to AI features may be processed by third-party AI service providers to deliver the feature.

15. Disputes Between Users

15.1 Direct Resolution First

Because the service agreement is between Customer and Pro, service disputes should first be resolved directly between them, in good faith.

15.2 Kerf's Facilitation Role

Kerf may provide tools and processes (reporting mechanisms, communication channels, resolution windows) to help users resolve disputes. In doing so, Kerf acts solely as a neutral facilitator and does not decide, adjudicate, or guarantee any outcome. Where a dispute over a captured payment cannot be resolved by the users, Kerf may apply its then-current default resolution procedures as disclosed on the Platform and in the Dispute Resolution Policy.

15.3 Damage, Injury, and Insurance

Claims for property damage or personal injury arising from a Pro's Services are between the Customer and the Pro (and the Pro's insurer). Pros are independent contractors required to carry appropriate insurance. Kerf is not liable for damage or injury caused by any Pro.

15.4 Remedies Preserved; Not a Collections Agent

Nothing limits a user's right to pursue legal remedies against another user directly. Kerf is not a Pro's collections agent and does not enforce payment beyond the Platform's payment features.

16. Third-Party Services

The Platform integrates third-party services (payment processing, authentication, analytics, communications, and others). Kerf is not responsible for third-party services, and your use of them may be subject to their terms.

17. Intellectual Property

The Platform — including software, design, trademarks (including the KERF name and logo), and content (excluding User Content) — is owned by Kerf or its licensors and protected by law. You may not copy, modify, distribute, reverse-engineer, or create derivative works except as permitted by law or with our written consent.

18. Disclaimers

TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, THE PLATFORM IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE," WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS, IMPLIED, OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, TITLE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT. KERF DOES NOT WARRANT THAT THE PLATFORM WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED, SECURE, OR ERROR-FREE, OR THAT ANY PRO OR SERVICE WILL MEET YOUR REQUIREMENTS. KERF MAKES NO WARRANTY REGARDING ANY PRO, ANY SERVICE OBTAINED THROUGH THE PLATFORM, OR THE CONDUCT OF ANY USER.

19. Limitation of Liability

TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, KERF AND ITS OWNERS, MEMBERS, EMPLOYEES, AND AGENTS WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, OR ANY LOSS OF PROFITS, DATA, GOODWILL, OR OTHER INTANGIBLE LOSSES, ARISING FROM OR RELATING TO YOUR USE OF THE PLATFORM OR ANY SERVICES OBTAINED THROUGH IT. KERF'S TOTAL LIABILITY FOR ANY CLAIM ARISING FROM OR RELATING TO THE AGREEMENT OR THE PLATFORM WILL NOT EXCEED THE GREATER OF $100 OR THE TOTAL FEES YOU PAID TO KERF IN THE TWELVE (12) MONTHS PRECEDING THE CLAIM.

20. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Kerf and its owners, members, employees, and agents from any claims, damages, losses, liabilities, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising from your use of the Platform, your User Content, your violation of the Agreement or applicable law, or — for Pros — your provision of Services and any resulting damage, injury, or dispute.

21. Suspension and Termination

You may stop using the Platform at any time. Kerf may suspend or terminate access at any time, with or without cause, including for violations of the Agreement. Provisions that by their nature should survive (including Sections 17–20) survive termination.

22. Changes to These Terms

Kerf may update these Terms. We will post the updated Terms with a new "Last Updated" date and, for material changes, provide notice by email or platform notice at least 30 days before they take effect. Continued use after changes take effect constitutes acceptance.

23. Governing Law; Dispute Resolution

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Ohio, without regard to conflict-of-laws principles. Any dispute not otherwise resolved will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in Ohio.

24. General Provisions

The Agreement (these Terms plus the Privacy Policy, Acceptable Use Policy, Cookie Policy, Dispute Resolution Policy, and, for Pros, the Pro/Service Provider Agreement) is the entire agreement between you and Kerf regarding the Platform and supersedes prior agreements. If any provision is unenforceable, the rest remain in effect. Our failure to enforce a provision is not a waiver. You may not assign the Agreement without our consent; we may assign it freely. Nothing creates a third-party beneficiary except as expressly stated.

25. Contact

Kerf Technologies LLC

Northeast Ohio

Email: support@kerfapp.io