Platform & Agency Disclosure

IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ THIS DISCLOSURE CAREFULLY BEFORE USING VARDEN DISPATCH. This Platform & Agency Disclosure ("Disclosure") explains the nature of Varden Homes's ("Varden," "we," "us," or "our") Varden Dispatch marketplace and clarifies our relationship with Contractors, Clients, and other users of the platform.

1. Varden Dispatch Is a Technology Platform

Varden Dispatch is a technology marketplace that connects independent service Contractors with Clients (property managers, landlords, and homeowners) who need maintenance, repair, and improvement work performed. Varden is NOT a contractor, construction company, general contractor, subcontractor, property manager, real estate brokerage, employer, staffing agency, or trade association.

Our platform provides software tools that enable Contractors to receive leads, quote Jobs, schedule work, communicate with Clients, invoice, and receive payouts, and that enable Clients to post Jobs, review Contractor profiles, book work, and pay electronically. These tools are provided as a technology service only.

2. No Agency or Employment Relationship

By using Varden Dispatch, you acknowledge and agree that:

• Varden does not employ, supervise, direct, or control any Contractor
• Varden does not act as the agent, broker, or representative of any Contractor or Client in any capacity
• Varden does not make hiring, firing, promotion, compensation, or scheduling decisions for Contractors
• No agency, partnership, joint venture, franchise, fiduciary, or advisory relationship is created between Varden and any user
• Varden does not owe any fiduciary duties to any user, including duties of loyalty, care, confidentiality, or disclosure
• Varden employees and support staff are not licensed tradespeople and cannot provide trade, legal, engineering, or construction advice

Contractors using Varden Dispatch are independent contractors as described in our Terms of Service. Contractors set their own rates, schedules, and acceptance criteria.

3. Services We Provide

Varden Dispatch provides the following technology tools and services:

3.1 Lead Matching and Job Distribution

• Algorithmic matching between Jobs and available Contractors based on trade, location, and history
• Notification and acceptance workflows

3.2 Job Management Tools

• Quoting, scheduling, and change-order tools
• Real-time GPS tracking (when enabled) and ETA sharing
• Photo documentation and work-verification tools
• In-app messaging and masked-number calling between Clients and Contractors

3.3 Invoicing and Payments

• Electronic invoice creation and delivery
• Stripe Connect payment processing (direct charges on the Contractor's Connected Account)
• Automated platform-fee application and payout routing
• Basic financial reporting and 1099 coordination via Stripe

3.4 Profile and Review Tools

• Contractor profile, portfolio, and service-area listings
• Client and Contractor ratings and reviews
• Identity, license, and insurance verification workflows (primarily via Stripe and third-party verifiers)

4. Services We Do NOT Provide

Varden Dispatch explicitly does NOT provide the following services:

• Trade services: We do not perform plumbing, electrical, HVAC, general contracting, roofing, flooring, painting, or any other trade work
• Supervision or quality control: We do not supervise, inspect, or sign off on Contractor work
• Permitting or engineering: We do not pull permits, design systems, stamp drawings, or certify code compliance
• Legal or tax advice: We do not provide legal advice, legal representation, or tax advice. Any templates or guidance are for convenience only
• Insurance: We do not provide general liability, workers' compensation, commercial auto, or any other insurance coverage for Contractors, Clients, or their properties
• Escrow services: We do not hold, reserve, or disburse funds beyond routing payments and platform fees through Stripe
• Warranty service: We do not warrant workmanship, materials, or parts installed by Contractors
• Licensing verification on an ongoing basis: We may verify Contractor information at onboarding, but we do not continuously monitor or guarantee that licenses or insurance remain current or adequate

5. Important Disclaimers

5.1 Contractor Profiles and Claims

All information on Contractor profiles (years in business, team size, trades, certifications, license numbers, insurance details, and portfolio photos) is provided by Contractors and is not independently verified on an ongoing basis by Varden. Varden makes no representations or warranties about the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of Contractor-provided information. Clients are responsible for independently verifying Contractor credentials, licensing, and insurance before engaging a Contractor.

5.2 Quotes and Pricing

Quotes and pricing are set by Contractors, not by Varden. Any pricing ranges, benchmarks, or AI-generated suggestions displayed in the Platform are informational and may not reflect the final price a Contractor chooses to quote.

5.3 Job Information

All Job information, including scope, access instructions, hazards, occupancy, and photos, is provided by Clients and is not independently verified by Varden. Contractors are encouraged to confirm scope and conditions before beginning work.

5.4 Transaction and Work Outcomes

Varden does not guarantee any outcomes, including but not limited to: Job acceptance, Contractor availability, completion time, cost, quality, warranty, Client satisfaction, or Contractor earnings. Home services involve inherent risks and uncertainties that are beyond the control of any technology platform.

6. Contractor Responsibilities

As a Contractor using Varden Dispatch, you are responsible for:

• Holding and maintaining all trade, business, and professional licenses required in every jurisdiction where you accept Jobs
• Maintaining appropriate insurance (general liability, workers' compensation where applicable, commercial auto, trade-specific coverage)
• Complying with OSHA, EPA, and other applicable workplace-safety and environmental regulations
• Pulling permits and scheduling inspections for work that legally requires them
• Performing work to professional standards and applicable building and mechanical codes
• Collecting, remitting, and reporting applicable taxes on revenue received through the Platform
• Accurately representing your experience, qualifications, and services
• Honoring warranties you offer Clients in writing

7. Client Responsibilities

As a Client using Varden Dispatch, you are responsible for:

• Independently verifying the license, insurance, and qualifications of any Contractor before engaging them
• Providing accurate information about the Job, including scope, access, hazards, and occupancy
• Providing a safe working environment
• Paying through the Platform for Jobs matched through the Platform
• Leaving honest, fact-based reviews
• Obtaining any permits or approvals that legally require Client involvement

8. Licensing and Jurisdictional Variation

Licensing, permitting, and insurance requirements for contractors vary substantially by state, county, and municipality. Some trades (plumbing, electrical, HVAC, gas, roofing) are licensed in most jurisdictions; handyperson-type work may require no license for small projects but require a license above certain dollar thresholds. It is the Contractor's responsibility to know and comply with the requirements in each jurisdiction where they accept Jobs, and the Client's responsibility to verify those credentials before work begins.

9. Non-Discrimination

All users must comply with applicable civil rights laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act and state and local public-accommodation laws. See our Acceptable Use Policy for details.

10. Changes to This Disclosure

We may update this Disclosure from time to time to reflect changes in our services, legal requirements, or industry practices. We will notify you of material changes by posting the updated Disclosure on our platform and updating the "Last updated" date. Your continued use of the Platform after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the updated Disclosure.

11. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Disclosure or our services: