Terms of Service
Welcome to Royal Palm Home Services. These Terms of Service govern your use of our platform.
Acceptance of Terms
By accessing or using Royal Palm Home Services ("the Platform"), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service ("Terms"). If you do not agree to these Terms, do not use the Platform.
Last Updated: January 1, 2025
Effective Date: January 1, 2025
Definitions
"Platform" - The Royal Palm Home Services website, mobile applications, and all related services.
"User" - Any person who accesses or uses the Platform.
"Customer" - A User who books services through the Platform.
"Pro" - An independent contractor who provides services through the Platform.
"Service" - Any task, job, or work performed by a Pro for a Customer.
"We," "Us," "Our" - Royal Palm Home Services, LLC.
"You," "Your" - The User of the Platform.
Eligibility
Age Requirement:
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Must have legal capacity to enter contracts
- Must provide accurate age information
Geographic Restrictions:
- Currently available in South Florida only
- Palm Beach, Broward, and Martin counties
- May expand to other areas
Account Requirements:
- Valid email address
- Accurate personal information
- Compliance with verification requirements
- One account per person
Pro Requirements:
- Must pass background check
- Must have required licenses/insurance
- Must meet skill requirements
- Must comply with tax obligations
Account Registration
Creating an Account:
You agree to:
- Provide accurate, complete information
- Maintain and update your information
- Keep your password confidential
- Notify us of unauthorized access
- Accept responsibility for account activity
Prohibited:
- Creating multiple accounts
- Impersonating others
- Using false information
- Sharing account credentials
- Allowing others to use your account
Account Suspension:
We may suspend or terminate your account for:
- Violation of these Terms
- Fraudulent activity
- Safety concerns
- Payment issues
- Repeated policy violations
- Providing false information
User Conduct
Acceptable Use:
You agree to:
- Use Platform lawfully and respectfully
- Comply with all applicable laws
- Treat other Users with respect
- Provide accurate service information
- Honor your bookings and commitments
- Pay for services received
Prohibited Activities:
You may NOT:
- Harass, threaten, or discriminate against others
- Post false, misleading, or defamatory content
- Violate intellectual property rights
- Attempt to bypass security measures
- Use Platform for illegal purposes
- Circumvent payment through Platform
- Solicit Users off-platform
- Post spam or unsolicited content
- Scrape or data mine Platform
- Interfere with Platform operations
Services
Platform as Marketplace:
Royal Palm is a marketplace connecting Customers and Pros:
- We do not employ Pros
- We do not provide services directly
- Pros are independent contractors
- Customers contract directly with Pros
- We facilitate connections only
Service Bookings:
Customer Responsibilities:
- Provide accurate service descriptions
- Be present or arrange access
- Provide safe working conditions
- Pay agreed-upon rates
- Review Pros fairly
Pro Responsibilities:
- Provide services as described
- Arrive on time
- Bring necessary tools
- Complete work professionally
- Maintain appropriate licenses/insurance
Service Fees:
Platform Fee:
- 15% service fee on labor
- Included in prices shown
- Covers: insurance, support, payment processing
- Non-refundable
Payment Terms:
- Customers pay through Platform only
- Charged after service completion
- Based on actual time worked
- Pro approval required for adjustments
Cancellations and Refunds
Cancellation Policy:
By Customer:
- 24+ hours notice: Free cancellation
- Less than 24 hours: Cancellation fee may apply
- No-show: Full service charge
- Emergency: Contact support
By Pro:
- Should provide maximum notice
- No fee to Customer
- Customer may receive credit
- Repeated cancellations: Account review
Refund Policy:
Happiness Pledge:
- If unsatisfied, we'll work to make it right
- May send Pro back to fix
- May provide partial/full refund
- May offer platform credit
- Report within 24 hours required
Refund Process:
- Returns to original payment method
- 5-10 business days processing
- Or platform credit (instant)
- Documented issues required
Payment Terms
Payment Methods:
- Credit/debit cards accepted
- Secure payment processing
- PCI-DSS compliant
- Authorization hold placed at booking
Payment Processing:
- Charged after service completion
- Customer approval required
- Based on actual time worked
- Includes all agreed expenses
Disputed Charges:
- Contact support first
- Don't file chargeback before contacting us
- Chargebacks may result in suspension
- We'll work to resolve disputes
Pro Payments:
- Paid 1-3 business days after completion
- Direct deposit to bank account
- 85% of service fee (Platform keeps 15%)
- 100% of tips
- Must provide tax information
Background Checks
For Pros:
All Pros undergo:
- Identity verification
- Criminal background check
- Sex offender registry check
- Motor vehicle records (if applicable)
- Ongoing monitoring
We Check:
- Criminal history
- National databases
- State and county records
- Federal records
- Previous addresses
Automatic Disqualifications:
- Violent crimes
- Sexual offenses
- Crimes against persons
- Recent serious convictions
- False information provided
Limitations:
- Background checks not foolproof
- Cannot guarantee future behavior
- Use caution and common sense
- Report suspicious activity
- We take reports seriously
Insurance and Liability
General Liability Insurance:
We provide:
- Up to $1 million coverage
- Property damage coverage
- Bodily injury coverage
- Active during services only
- Subject to standard exclusions
What's Covered:
- Accidental property damage by Pro
- Accidental injury to third parties
- Legal defense costs
- Claims during active services
What's NOT Covered:
- Intentional damage
- Pre-existing damage
- Customer's property already damaged
- Pro's tools or vehicle
- Pro's medical expenses
- Services performed off-platform
Making a Claim:
- Report within 24 hours
- Provide photos and details
- Complete claim form
- Cooperate with investigation
- We'll assess and process
User Responsibilities:
Customers:
- Maintain homeowner's/renter's insurance
- Provide safe working environment
- Secure valuables
- Supervise as appropriate
Pros:
- Carry personal auto insurance
- Consider additional liability insurance
- Own tools and equipment insurance
- Workers' compensation (if employees)
Intellectual Property
Platform Ownership:
We own all rights to:
- Platform design and code
- Royal Palm trademarks and logos
- Platform content and features
- Software and technology
- Documentation and guides
User Content:
You retain ownership of content you post:
- Reviews and ratings
- Photos you upload
- Service descriptions
- Messages
- Profile information
License to Us:
By posting content, you grant us:
- Non-exclusive, worldwide license
- To use, display, and distribute
- On Platform and in marketing
- Royalty-free and transferable
- For Platform operation and promotion
Prohibited Use:
You may NOT:
- Copy or reproduce Platform
- Modify or create derivatives
- Reverse engineer Platform
- Remove copyright notices
- Use our trademarks without permission
- Frame or mirror Platform
- Automated scraping or data collection
Trademarks:
- "Royal Palm Home Services" is our trademark
- Logo and branding are protected
- Cannot use without written permission
- Report unauthorized use
Privacy
Data Collection:
We collect:
- Account information
- Service details
- Payment information
- Communication records
- Usage data
- Device information
Data Use:
We use data to:
- Provide Platform services
- Process payments
- Facilitate bookings
- Improve Platform
- Send notifications
- Ensure safety and security
- Comply with legal obligations
Data Sharing:
We share with:
- Pros (after booking confirmed)
- Payment processors
- Background check providers
- Service providers
- As required by law
We Never:
- Sell your personal information
- Share with unrelated third parties
- Provide data to marketers
- Share more than necessary
Your Rights:
- Access your data
- Correct inaccurate information
- Delete your account
- Export your data
- Opt out of marketing
- File privacy complaints
Full Privacy Policy:
- See separate Privacy Policy document
- Available at royalpalmservices.com/privacy
- Updated regularly
- Changes communicated to users
Communications
Platform Communications:
You agree to receive:
- Service notifications
- Account updates
- Payment receipts
- Security alerts
- Policy changes
- Required legal notices
Marketing Communications:
Optional:
- Promotional emails
- Special offers
- Newsletter
- Service recommendations
Opt Out:
- Unsubscribe links provided
- Adjust preferences in account
- May take 10 business days
- Still receive service emails
Text Messages:
- Critical service alerts only
- Standard message rates apply
- Opt out anytime
- Reply STOP to any message
Dispute Resolution
Informal Resolution:
First Step:
- Contact our support team
- Email: support@royalpalmservices.com
- Phone: (561) 555-0123
- Explain issue in detail
- We'll work to resolve
Resolution Process:
- Usually within 5 business days
- May request documentation
- Fair review of both sides
- Binding decision
- Appeals available
Arbitration Agreement:
Important - Please Read:
By using the Platform, you agree:
- Disputes resolved through binding arbitration
- NOT in court
- NOT by jury
- Individual basis only (no class actions)
- Governed by Federal Arbitration Act
Arbitration Process:
- American Arbitration Association (AAA)
- AAA Consumer Arbitration Rules
- South Florida venue
- Conducted by video/phone when possible
- One arbitrator
- Discovery limited
- Written decision
- Binding and final
Exceptions to Arbitration:
- Small claims court (under $10,000)
- Injunctive relief for IP violations
- Government agency proceedings
- Individual basis only
Class Action Waiver:
You agree:
- No class arbitrations
- No class actions
- No representative actions
- Individual claims only
- Cannot combine with others
- Cannot be a class member
If you don't agree:
- Must opt out within 30 days
- Email: legal@royalpalmservices.com
- Include: Name, address, email
- State: "I opt out of arbitration"
- Opt out valid for your account only
Disclaimers
AS IS BASIS:
THE PLATFORM PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE":
- No warranties of any kind
- Express or implied
- Including merchantability
- Fitness for particular purpose
- Non-infringement
- Uninterrupted service
- Error-free operation
Pros as Independent Contractors:
- Not employees of Royal Palm
- Independent businesses
- Responsible for own actions
- Own tax obligations
- Own insurance needs
- We don't control their work
- We don't guarantee their services
No Guarantee:
We do NOT guarantee:
- Service quality
- Pro qualifications beyond background check
- Service results
- Safety of Pros or Customers
- Absence of property damage
- Availability of services
- Platform uptime
Your Responsibility:
You are responsible for:
- Evaluating Pros before booking
- Reading reviews and ratings
- Exercising reasonable caution
- Supervising services as appropriate
- Securing valuables
- Providing accurate information
- Following safety guidelines
Limitation of Liability
MAXIMUM LIABILITY:
OUR TOTAL LIABILITY TO YOU LIMITED TO:
- Amount you paid in past 12 months
- Or $100
- Whichever is greater
- For any and all claims
- Regardless of theory of liability
EXCLUDED DAMAGES:
WE ARE NOT LIABLE FOR:
- Indirect damages
- Incidental damages
- Consequential damages
- Special damages
- Punitive damages
- Lost profits
- Lost data
- Service interruptions
- Third-party actions
ESSENTIAL PURPOSE:
These limitations apply even if:
- We've been advised of possibility
- Limited remedy fails essential purpose
- Regardless of legal theory
State Law:
Some states don't allow these limitations. In those states, liability limited to maximum extent permitted by law.
Indemnification
You Agree to Indemnify:
You will defend, indemnify, and hold harmless Royal Palm, its officers, directors, employees, and agents from any:
- Claims
- Damages
- Losses
- Liabilities
- Costs and expenses (including legal fees)
Arising From:
- Your use of Platform
- Violation of these Terms
- Violation of any laws
- Your service bookings
- Content you post
- Infringement of third-party rights
- Your negligence or misconduct
Our Rights:
- Choose our own counsel
- Control defense at our expense
- Assume defense at your expense if you don't
- Settle on reasonable terms
Term and Termination
Term:
- Terms effective when you agree
- Continue while you use Platform
- Survive termination as noted below
Termination by You:
- May stop using Platform anytime
- May delete account
- Must complete pending services
- Obligations survive termination
Termination by Us:
We may terminate your account for:
- Violation of Terms
- Suspected fraud
- Safety concerns
- Payment issues
- Inactivity (after notice)
- Any reason with notice
- Immediately for serious violations
Effect of Termination:
- Cannot access Platform
- Must pay outstanding amounts
- License to use Platform ends
- Certain provisions survive
Surviving Provisions:
- Payment obligations
- Indemnification
- Disclaimers
- Limitation of liability
- Dispute resolution
- General provisions
General Provisions
Entire Agreement:
- These Terms constitute entire agreement
- Supersede prior agreements
- Except separate written agreements
- Include Privacy Policy by reference
Modifications:
We may update Terms:
- Post changes on Platform
- Email notification for material changes
- Effective 30 days after posting
- Continued use = acceptance
- If don't agree, stop using Platform
Waiver:
- Our failure to enforce not a waiver
- Waiver of one breach not waiver of others
- Must be in writing to be valid
Severability:
- If provision unenforceable
- Remaining provisions still valid
- Court to modify to make enforceable
- Intent preserved to maximum extent
Assignment:
- You cannot assign these Terms
- We may assign without notice
- Terms bind successors and assigns
No Agency:
- No partnership or agency created
- Not joint venture
- Independent contractors only
- No authority to bind us
Force Majeure:
Not liable for delays or failures due to:
- Acts of God
- Natural disasters
- War or terrorism
- Government actions
- Strikes or labor disputes
- Internet failures
- Circumstances beyond reasonable control
Notices:
To You:
- Email to address on account
- Effective when sent
- Must keep email current
To Us:
- Email: legal@royalpalmservices.com
- Mail: Royal Palm Home Services, LLC
Boca Raton, FL 33431
Governing Law:
- Florida law governs
- Excluding conflict of law provisions
- Federal Arbitration Act applies
- Venue in Palm Beach County, Florida (if not arbitrated)
Interpretation:
- Headings for convenience only
- "Including" means including without limitation
- Singular includes plural and vice versa
Contact Information
Questions About These Terms?
General Inquiries:
- Email: support@royalpalmservices.com
- Phone: (561) 555-0123
Legal Department:
- Email: legal@royalpalmservices.com
- Mail: Royal Palm Home Services, LLC
[Address]
Boca Raton, FL 33431
Hours:
- Monday-Friday: 9am-5pm EST
- Closed weekends and holidays
Thank you for using Royal Palm Home Services!