Terms of Service

FORT TERMS AND CONDITIONS

1 These Terms

1.1 What these Terms Cover: These Terms contain the terms and conditions on which we supply the Platform to you, whether the Platform comprises of services and/or digital content. Please read these Terms carefully before you accept these Terms.

1.2 How to tell us about problems: If you have any questions or complaints about the Platform, please contact us to discuss (using our contact details below). You can telephone our customer service team or write to us by email using the contact details below.

Our contact details:

Fort Technologies Ltd, a company registered in England and Wales. Our company registration number is 12935900.

Phone number: 07906517760

Geographical address: 56 Oakway, Woking, England, GU21 8TR

Email address: fort@fort-app.com

2 Introduction

2.1 These terms and conditions (Terms) are entered into between Fort Technologies Ltd a company registered in England and Wales, with company registration number 12935900 (we, us or our) and you, together the Parties and each a Party. In these Terms, you or your means (as applicable) the person or entity registered with us, as either a Homeowner, a Trade Business or Subcontractor, accessing or using the Platform.

2.2 If you are using the Platform on behalf of your employer or a business entity, you, in your individual capacity, represent and warrant that you are authorised to act on behalf of your employer or the business entity and to bind the entity and the entity's personnel to these Terms.

2.3 We provide a platform where Trade Businesses, Homeowners and Subcontractors can connect and transact to obtain Construction Works (Platform).

3 Acceptance and Platform Licence

3.1 You accept these Terms by accepting these Terms on the Platform.

3.2 You must be at least 18 years old to use the Platform.

3.3 We may amend these Terms at any time, by providing written notice to you (including via the Platform). By clicking "I accept" or continuing to use the Platform after the notice or 30 days after notification (whichever date is earlier), you agree to the amended Terms. If you do not agree to the amendment, you may cancel your Account with effect from the date of the change in these Terms by providing written notice to us subject to clause 17.

3.4 If you access or download our mobile application from (1) the Apple App Store, you agree to any Usage Rules set forth in the App Store Terms of Service or (2) the Google Play Store, you agree to the Android, Google Inc. Terms and Conditions including the Google Apps Terms of Service.

3.5 We may use third-party APIs including Stripe for payment processing, Google Maps for location services, and Firebase for authentication, messaging and storage. Your use of third party APIs may be subject to their terms of use.

3.6 Subject to your compliance with these Terms, we grant you a personal, non-exclusive, royalty-free, revocable, worldwide, non-transferable licence to use our Platform in accordance with these Terms. All other uses are prohibited without our prior written consent.

3.7 When using the Platform, you must not do or attempt to do anything that is unlawful or inappropriate, including:

(a) anything that would constitute a breach of an individual's privacy (including uploading private or Personal Data without an individual's consent) or any other legal rights;

(b) using the Platform to defame, harass, threaten, menace or offend any person;

(d) interfering with any user of the Platform;

(e) tampering with or modifying the Platform (including by transmitting viruses and using trojan horses);

(f) using the Platform to send unsolicited electronic messages;

(g) using data mining, robots, screen scraping or similar data gathering and extraction tools on the Platform; or

(h) facilitating or assisting a third party to do any of the above acts.

4 Accounts

4.1 You must register on the Platform and create an account (Account) to access the Platform's features.

4.2 You may have multiple accounts as a Trade Business, Subcontractor and Homeowner on the Platform.

4.3 You must provide basic information when registering for an Account that we request, which may include your entity name, company number (if applicable), contact name, telephone or mobile number, and email address and password. The username you choose must not (1) be offensive or in other ways insulting or (2) contain characteristics which belong to a third party, including names of famous persons, or personal names to which you do not own the rights.

4.4 Once you have registered an Account, your Account information will be used to create a profile.

4.5 You agree to provide and maintain up to date information in your Account and to not share your Account password with any other person. Your Account is personal and you must not transfer it to others.

4.6 You are responsible for keeping your Account details and your password confidential and you will be liable for all activity on your Account, including purchases made using your Account details. You agree to immediately notify us of any unauthorized use of your Account.

4.7 If you are a Trade Business, we will review your request for an Account before approving the request. We may request information about you, and run any checks that we reasonably consider necessary to verify you, your qualifications and your business, including without limitation the following:

(i) photo identification

(j) proof of address;

(k) proof of licenses and qualifications

(l) credit checks;

(m) CCJ checks and litigation checks;

(n) financial statements for any period;

(o) verification of insurances held;

(p) reference checks from existing or previous Homeowners.

If you do not provide us with information we reasonably request, we may refuse to create an Account for you. If you provide us with any information which indicates you are not a fit and proper person to be provided with an Account (as we determine), we may refuse to provide you with an Account, in our sole discretion.

4.8 We may make access to and use of certain parts of the Platform subject to conditions or requirements, including identity verification, cancellation history, quality of services and threshold of reviews. You agree to be bound by and to comply with these conditions or requirements.

4.9 If you are a Trade Business, until we have completed our verification and approval of your Account (as described in clause 4.7), you may browse Homeowner Listings and project details on the Platform, but you may not contact Homeowners, register interest in projects, submit Quotes, commence Works, or otherwise engage with Homeowners through the Platform. We will notify you when your Account has been approved for engagement. Additional verification steps (such as identity verification and payment account setup) may still be required before you can receive payments.

5 Platform summary

5.1 The Platform is a marketplace where:

(a) Homeowners and Trade Businesses can find each other, and advertise, buy and sell Construction Works online; and

(b) Trade Businesses and Subcontractors can find each other, and advertise, and enter into subcontractor arrangements in respect of Construction Works online.

We provide the Platform (including hosting and maintaining the Platform) to users, to:

(d) allow Trade Businesses and Homeowners to enter into agreements relating to Construction Works, process payments between Homeowners and Trade Business in respect of those agreements (based on Milestones);

(e) allow the provision of Quotes from Subcontractors and Trade Businesses;

(f) allow Trade Businesses and Subcontractors to enter into agreements relating to Construction Works, process payments between Trade Businesses and Subcontractors in respect of those agreements (based on Milestones);

(g) and assist in Disputes

5.2 We will provide the Fort Services in accordance with these Terms and all applicable laws, and we warrant to you that the Fort Services will be provided using reasonable care and skill.

5.3 You understand and agree that we only make available the Fort Services. We are not party to any arrangement or agreement entered into between a Homeowner and a Trade Business, or any arrangement or agreement entered into between a Trade Business and Subcontractor, and we have no control over the conduct of Trade Business, Subcontractor Homeowners or any other users of the Platform.

5.4 A Trade Business wanting to provide Construction Works creates an Account on the Platform and posts an accurate and complete description of the Construction Works they can provide, including the fees for the goods and services (Trade Business Listing).

5.5 A Subcontractor wanting to be engaged as a subcontractor in relation to Construction Works creates an Account on the Platform and posts an accurate and complete description of the Construction Works they can provide (Subcontractor Listing).

5.6 A Homeowner wanting to buy Construction Works creates an Account on the Platform to view and browse Trade Business Listings. A Homeowner cannot at any time directly engage, or enter into a contract with, a Subcontractor on the Platform.

5.7 A Homeowner may request to purchase Construction Works described in a Trade Business Listing by sending a request through the Platform, setting out the particular Construction Works required, and other details. The request is an offer from the Homeowner to the Trade Business to generate a Quote from the relevant Trade Business (Homeowner Request).

5.8 A Homeowner may also post an accurate and complete description of the Construction Works they require through the Platform, inviting for Trade Business to submit Quotes to the Homeowner (Homeowner Listing).

5.8a When creating a Homeowner Listing, you must provide an accurate project address line 1 and a verified UK postcode. We collect this information for operational, safety, matching, and dispute-resolution purposes. We do not display your project address line 1 publicly on the Platform. We display only the town or locality associated with your postcode (for example, the town shown after postcode verification). Trade Businesses browsing Listings will see only that town or locality unless and until you share further location details through an Accepted Quote, Works Contract, or other communication permitted on the Platform.

5.9 If a Trade Business desires to provide Construction Works to a Homeowner in response to a Homeowner Listing or Homeowner Request, the Trade Business will submit a Quote to the Homeowner through the Platform. Without limiting the details that the Platform may require to include within a Quote, the Quote shall include:

(a) a description of the Works;

(b) the proposed Milestones; and

(c) the proposed total fees of the Works and payment terms, and how each part of the fees relates to the proposed Milestones;

Along with the Quote, the Trade Business must also upload a copy of the contract, or terms and conditions of engagement (Proposed Contract). By submitting a Quote the Trade Business confirms that it is legally entitled, and has all the necessary qualifications, skills and experience, to perform the relevant Construction Works as described in the Quote.

5.10 A Homeowner and Trade Business may negotiate the terms of a relevant Quote and Proposed Contract through the Platform, and the Trade Business will be required to re-submit to the Homeowner through the Platform any revised Quote and Proposed Contract. Once a Homeowner, through the Platform, accepts a Quote, it becomes an Accepted Quote, and accepts a Proposed Contract it becomes a Works Contract.

5.11 After an Accepted Quote and Works Contract is entered into, during the course of the relevant Works the Homeowner and Trade Business may agree, through the Platform, to vary the Works Contract, any Milestone, the scope of the relevant Works, and relevant fees.

5.12 The Trade Business agrees to complete the Works the subject of a Works Contract with all due care, skill and diligence, in accordance with all applicable laws (including work, health and safety laws), in accordance with best industry standards, and in accordance with the Works Contract.

5.13 The Homeowner agrees to comply with the terms of the relevant Works Contract, including paying to the Trade Business all relevant fees by their due date. The Homeowner must provide the Trade Business with all reasonable access and information in order for the Trade Business to plan and complete the Works.

5.14 If a Trade Business requires a Subcontractor to provide certain Construction Works in respect of a Works Contract, then it shall make a request for a quote to the Subcontractor on the Platform (Trade Business Request). In response to a Trade Business Request, the Subcontractor may submit a Quote to the Trade Business through the Platform. Without limiting the details that the Platform may require to include within a Quote, the Quote shall include:

(a) a description of the Subcontractor Works;

(b) the proposed Milestones; and

(c) the proposed total fees of the Subcontractor Works and payment terms, and how each part of the fees relates to the proposed Milestones;

The Trade Business must also upload a copy of the subcontractor contract, or terms and conditions of subcontract (Proposed Subcontract). By submitting a Quote the Subcontractor confirms that it is legally entitled, and has all the necessary qualifications, skills and experience, to perform the relevant Construction Works as described in the Quote.

5.15 A Subcontractor and Trade Business may negotiate the terms of a relevant Quote and Proposed Subcontract through the Platform, and the Subcontractor will be required to re-submit to the Trade Business through the Platform any revised Quote and the Trade Business any revised Proposed Subcontract. Once a Trade Business, through the Platform, accepts a Quote, it becomes an Accepted Quote, and the Subcontractor and Trade Business accepts a Proposed Subcontract it becomes a Subcontractor Contract.

5.16 After an Accepted Quote and Subcontractor Contract is entered into, during the course of the relevant Subcontractor Works the Subcontractor and Trade Business may agree, through the Platform, to vary the Subcontractor Contract, any Milestone, the scope of the relevant Subcontractor Works, and relevant fees.

5.17 The Subcontractor agrees to complete the Subcontractor Works the subject of a Subcontractor Contract with all due care, skill and diligence, in accordance with all applicable laws (including work, health and safety laws), in accordance with best industry standards, and in accordance with the Subcontractor Contract.

5.18 The Homeowner agrees to comply with the terms of the relevant Works Contract, including paying to the Trade Business all relevant fees by their due date.

5.19 The Homeowner must provide the Trade Business, its personnel and any Subcontractor with all reasonable access to the relevant property and information in order for the Trade Business (and any Subcontractor) to plan and complete the relevant Works the subject of the Works Contract.

5.20 A Homeowner warrants and represents that it has obtained all necessary consents to allow for the works the subject of a Works Contract to be performed at the relevant property, including any governmental authority, and (to the extent that the Homeowner is a lessee or tenant, the consent of any landlord and/or mortgagee).

5.21 You acknowledge and agree that we are not a party to any Works Contract or Subcontractor Contract, and you release us from any Liability relating to the Works Contract and Subcontractor Contract, including without limitation any non-performance of a person's obligations under those contracts.

5.22 Platform records

(a) Each Homeowner and Trade Business agrees to use the Platform to create and maintain an accurate record of material matters relating to a Works Contract, to the extent the Platform provides functionality for doing so, including, without limitation: the Accepted Quote and Works Contract; any agreed variation to the Works, Milestones or fees; evidence of Milestone completion; communications and documents relating to a Dispute; and any other material documents or information pertaining to the Works or the project.

(b) Where any agreement, variation or confirmation relating to the Works is made otherwise than through the Platform, each party must use reasonable endeavours to record the material terms on the Platform promptly.

(c) You acknowledge that we may access, retain and use Platform records for the purposes of providing the Fort Services, processing milestone stage payments, resolving Disputes under clause 6, protecting the safety and integrity of the Platform, and complying with applicable law.

(d) Failure to maintain material records on the Platform may adversely affect our or an Independent Expert's ability to resolve a Dispute, but does not of itself determine the outcome of any Dispute or Works Contract.

6 Disputes

6.1 You agree that where there is any Dispute, that:

(a) we may appoint an Independent Expert to adjudicate the Dispute between the Homeowner and Trade Business, on such terms and conditions as we determine reasonable, and where that person shall act as an expert, and you agree to be bound by the decision of the Independent Expert;

(b) where we appoint an Independent Expert, you will bear the cost of that appointment in such amount as we notify you, and you must pay to us that amount within seven (7) days of written demand (for the avoidance of doubt, we may notify that the relevant party at fault in the Dispute bears the entire cost, or that the parties share the cost equally, as we reasonably determine);

(c) each party must provide to the Independent Expert all reasonable assistance in determining the dispute, including the provision of any reasonable information, and in respect of the Homeowner access to the relevant property;

(d) we may elect to instead determine the Dispute, and you agree to be bound by our decision.

6.2 You acknowledge and agree that the decision of us or an Independent Expert under this clause may involve requiring that relevant fees are either paid or refunded to a Trade Business or Homeowner.

6.3 Each the Trade Business and Homeowner the subject of a Dispute must provide us, or the Independent Expert all access to the premises and information requested, within 3 days of written demand.

6.4 You agree to the provisions and decisions made under this clause 6 regardless of anything contained in the Works Contract.

7 Communication

7.1 We may contact you via the Platform using in-Account notifications, or via off-Platform communication channels, such as text message or email.

7.2 Homeowners and Trade Businesses can communicate privately using our private messaging service, or after an Accepted Quote exists offline using the listed contact details. A Homeowner and a Trade Business should use all reasonable endeavours to communicate only on the Platform, and if communication is offline then confirming conversations through the Platform. Trade Businesses may not use the private messaging service to contact Homeowners until we have approved their Account in accordance with clause 4.9.

7.3 Subcontractors and Trade Businesses can communicate privately using our private messaging service, or after an Accepted Quote exists offline using the listed contact details. A Subcontractor and a Trade Business should use all reasonable endeavours to communicate only on the Platform, and if communication is offline then confirming conversations through the Platform.

7.4 Subject to clause 8.15, a Homeowner and Trade Business must not use the contact details to organize the provision of the goods and services off the Platform, or otherwise to attempt to circumvent the payment of Service Fees to us.

7.5 A Subcontractor and Trade Business must not use the contact details to organize the provision of the goods and services off the Platform.

7.6 Other than where we exercise our rights under this clause 6, for Disputes between Homeowners and Trade Business, we encourage the parties to attempt to resolve Disputes (including claims for returns or refunds) directly and in good faith, exclusively on the Platform.

8 Milestone Stage Payments and our Service Fee

8.1 You acknowledge that:

(a) milestone stage payments on the Platform are processed by our Third Party Provider (currently Stripe), including Pay-by-Bank and Stripe Connect;

(b) each Trade Business and Subcontractor must complete onboarding with the Third Party Provider and maintain a connected payment account (Payment Account) to receive milestone stage payments;

(c) each Works Contract has milestone stage payments recorded on the Platform for that contract (Project Payment Account);

(d) each Subcontractor Contract has milestone stage payments recorded on the Platform for that contract (Subcontractor Payment Account);

(e) each Payment Account, Project Payment Account and Subcontractor Payment Account is operated by the Third Party Provider, and your use is subject to the Third Party Provider's terms and conditions from time to time. You acknowledge and agree that we have no control over the actions of the Third Party Provider;

(f) milestone stage payments are processed via our payment partner. Fort does not hold customer funds in its own bank accounts and does not provide escrow services. We do not describe milestone payments as "escrow".

8.2 In consideration of using the Platform, we charge a Service Fee on each Milestone stage payment, calculated as a percentage of the Works Fees for that Milestone. The percentage depends on the total Works Fee for the project:

(a) 5% if the total Works Fee is less than £30,000;

(b) 4% if the total Works Fee is £30,000 or more but less than £100,000;

(d) 2% if the total Works Fee is £250,000 or more.

The Service Fee is deducted when the Homeowner pays the relevant Milestone stage payment and is paid to us at the same time under clause 8.3. The Homeowner and Trade Business are jointly and severally liable for the Service Fee, subject to clause 8.14 where a Service Fee Discount applies.

8.3 The Homeowner must, prior to the commencement of the Works relating to a particular Milestone, pay through the Platform that amount of the Works Fees that relates to that relevant Milestone (processed via the Third Party Provider). For the avoidance of doubt, the Homeowner and Trade Business may agree that there is only one Milestone (being completion of the entire Works) and that therefore the entire Works Fees are payable as a single Milestone stage payment.

8.4 Upon successful payment of the relevant Works Fees for a Milestone (processed via the Third Party Provider), the Works Fees (minus our Service Fee) are credited to the Trade Business's Payment Account with the Third Party Provider. Payout from that Payment Account to the Trade Business's bank account will occur when the earlier of:

(a) completion of the relevant Milestone has occurred (either where the Homeowner and Trade Business have agreed on the Platform that completion of the Milestone has occurred and the Homeowner has approved payout, or where completion of the Milestone has been determined in accordance with clause 6), at which point the relevant amount of Works Fees shall be paid out to the Trade Business's bank account via the Third Party Provider; or

(b) it has been determined that the Homeowner is entitled to a refund in accordance with clause 6, at which point the relevant amount of Works Fees shall be refunded to the Homeowner via the Third Party Provider; or

(c) it has been determined in accordance with clause 6 that the Homeowner is entitled to a partial refund, and the Trade Business entitled to partial payment, at which point the relevant amounts shall be paid out or refunded via the Third Party Provider to the parties' respective bank accounts.

8.5 You acknowledge and agree that we do not hold any of the Works Fees in our bank account or on trust for any person.

8.6 You acknowledge and agree that, to the extent permitted by law, our Service Fee is non-refundable, subject to clause 9. Upfront payments under clause 8.14 form part of the Service Fee and are non-refundable to the same extent.

8.7 To the extent there is an engagement between a Trade Business and Subcontractor, then prior to the commencement of the Subcontractor Works relating to a particular Milestone, the Trade Business must pay through the Platform that amount of the Subcontractor Fees that relates to that relevant Milestone (processed via the Third Party Provider). For the avoidance of doubt, the Subcontractor and Trade Business may agree that there is only one Milestone (being completion of the entire Works) and that therefore the entire Subcontractor Fees are payable as a single Milestone stage payment.

8.8 Upon successful payment of the relevant Subcontractor Fees for a Milestone (processed via the Third Party Provider), the Subcontractor Fees are credited to the Subcontractor's Payment Account with the Third Party Provider. Payout to the Subcontractor's bank account will occur when completion of the relevant Milestone has occurred and payout is approved on the Platform.

8.9 To the extent that, in respect of the completion of any relevant Milestone:

(a) there are additional Works Fees payable to the Trade Business from the Homeowner in accordance with the relevant Works Contract, then the Homeowner shall promptly pay the relevant additional Works Fees through the Platform, and such Works Fees (minus our Service Fee) shall then be credited to the Trade Business's Payment Account via the Third Party Provider; or

(b) there are additional Subcontractor Fees payable to the Subcontractor from the Trade Business in accordance with the relevant Subcontractor Contract, then the Trade Business shall promptly pay the relevant additional Subcontractor Fees through the Platform, and such Subcontractor Fees shall then be credited to the Subcontractor's Payment Account via the Third Party Provider.

8.10 The payment methods we offer for Milestone stage payments through the Platform are set out on the Platform.

8.11 You must not pay, or attempt to pay, the Works Fees, Subcontractor Fees and Service Fees by fraudulent or unlawful means, or outside of the Platform. Milestone stage payments on the Platform are processed via our Third Party Provider (currently Stripe), including Pay-by-Bank and other payment methods we make available from time to time. If you make a payment using Pay-by-Bank or another bank payment method, you warrant that you are authorised to use the relevant bank account. If payment is made by direct debit, by providing your bank account details and accepting these Terms, you authorise our nominated third party payment processor to debit your account in accordance with these Terms and you certify that you are either an account holder or an authorised signatory on the account for which you provide details.

8.12 You agree that we may set-off or deduct from any monies payable to you under these Terms, any amounts which are payable by you to us in connection with the Platform.

8.13 We do not store your full payment card or bank account credentials. Payment information is collected and stored through our third-party payment processor (currently Stripe).

8.14 Service Fee Discount Promotion

(a) We may offer Trade Businesses an optional Service Fee Discount Promotion on selected projects. If offered on the Platform, you may choose one discount tier before your proposal is accepted, or proceed without a discount.

(b) Each tier requires you to pay an upfront amount (a stated percentage of your projected total Service Fee for the proposed Milestones) via the Platform (Pay-by-Bank through our Third Party Provider). The upfront payment is charged to Fort and does not form part of Works Fees paid by the Homeowner.

(c) If your proposal is accepted, you must pay the upfront amount (or decline the promotion) before the discount applies. Until we receive the upfront payment, standard Service Fees under clause 8.2 apply.

(d) The discount tiers available on the Platform are:

Tier 1: upfront payment of 10% of projected total Service Fee; 15% off projected total Service Fee.

Tier 2: upfront payment of 20% of projected total Service Fee; 30% off projected total Service Fee.

Tier 3: upfront payment of 30% of projected total Service Fee; 50% off projected total Service Fee.

(e) Projected total Service Fee means the sum of Service Fees that would be payable under clause 8.2 across all Milestones in your proposal, calculated at the time you select a tier.

(f) Once the upfront payment is received, we apply the discounted Service Fee to subsequent Milestone stage payments for that project. The upfront payment counts toward your discounted Service Fee total; any remaining discounted Service Fee is collected through reduced application fees on Milestone payments as shown on the Platform.

(g) You may decline the promotion before paying the upfront amount, in which case standard Service Fees apply and no upfront payment is due.

(h) To the extent permitted by law, all Service Fees and upfront payments under this clause 8.14 are non-refundable, including if the Works Contract is cancelled or varied, subject to clause 9 and any determination under clause 6.

(i) We may amend, suspend, or withdraw the Service Fee Discount Promotion at any time for new selections. A tier already paid for a project remains governed by these Terms as at activation.

(j) The Service Fee Discount Promotion does not change the Homeowner's obligation to pay Works Fees under clause 8.3. It adjusts Fort's Service Fee only.

8.15 Payments for agreed projects

(a) Once a Works Contract or Subcontractor Contract is agreed on the Platform, all payments relating to Works Fees, Subcontractor Fees or Service Fees for that project must be made through the Platform in accordance with this clause 8.

(b) Fort's payment and dispute-related services (including milestone stage payment processing, Platform records under clause 5.22, and assistance with Disputes under clause 6) apply only to amounts paid through the Platform in connection with that contract.

(c) If you agree or arrange payment for Works or Subcontractor Fees outside the Platform (whether before or after agreement on the Platform), you acknowledge that those payments are outside Fort Services. We cannot verify, record, facilitate or assist with those payments, and they will not be taken into account in any Dispute process under clause 6.

(d) Arranging or accepting off-Platform payment in connection with a Works Contract or Subcontractor Contract may constitute a breach of clauses 7.4 and 8.11. Without limiting our other rights, we may issue a warning, restrict your use of the Platform (including messaging or payment features), suspend your Account while we investigate, or terminate your Account in accordance with clause 17, acting reasonably and proportionately in the circumstances.

(e) Nothing in this clause 8.15 affects any rights you may have under applicable consumer protection law.

9 Refunds and Cancellation Policy

9.1 Other than as expressly set out in these Terms, and other than where a determination is made by us or an Independent Expert under clause 6, the cancellation, exchange, variation, or refund of any goods and services ordered on this Platform is strictly a matter between the relevant Homeowner and Trade Business, or Trade Business and Subcontractor (as applicable). Should the Trade Business and Homeowner mutually agree to cancel any part of the Works Contract, any Service Fee already paid to us is non-refundable. Upfront payments under clause 8.14 are non-refundable except to the extent we reasonably determine a refund of Service Fees under this clause 9 or clause 6. If any part of the Works Fees are agreed by a relevant Homeowner and Trade Business to be refunded to the Homeowner, or determined by us or an Independent Expert to be refunded to the Homeowner in accordance with clause 6, then we will refund such amount of our Service Fees as we reasonably determine.

9.2 This clause will survive the termination or expiry of these Terms.

10 Identify verification

10.1 If we choose to conduct identity verification or background checks on any Trade Business or Subcontractor, to the extent permitted by law, we disclaim all warranties of any kind, either express or implied, that such checks will identify prior misconduct by a Trade Business or Subcontractor, or guarantee that a Trade Business or Subcontractor will not engage in misconduct in the future. Any verification of Trade Business or Subcontractor on the Platform is not an endorsement or recommendation that the Trade Business or Subcontractor is trustworthy or suitable. You should do your own due diligence before using a Trade Business or Subcontractor for Construction Works.

10.2 As a Trade Business or Subcontractor, we require you to verify your identity and/or validating your Account using third party verification services (Third Party ID Service).

10.3 A Trade Business and Subcontractor acknowledges and agrees that (1) we may contact, connect to or otherwise liaise with Third Party ID Services to validate your identity and information (Identity Check); and (2) Third Party ID Services may provide us with your Personal Data or special categories of Personal Data, and you consent to us receiving and using this information to enable us to perform an Identity Check; and (3) you will be charged a non-refundable fee for the Identity Check (as set out on the Platform), and we will be under no obligation to perform the Identity Check until the relevant fee has been paid to us, in accordance with the requirements specified on the Platform and these Terms.

10.4 Following a successful Identity Check, you acknowledge and agree that (1) we may permit you to use verification signs, icons or badges in connection with your Account to indicate that a successful Identity Check has been performed (Verification Icon); and (2) a Verification Icon may only be used by the individual or business for whom the relevant Identity Check has been successfully performed and the relevant Verification Icon has been issued, and then, only where that individual is directly providing the relevant goods and services.

10.5 You acknowledge and agree that (1) the Identity Check and the issuance of a Verification Icon may not be fully accurate, as they are dependent on the information provided by the relevant individual or business and/or information or checks performed by third parties; and (2) you should not rely on the Identity Checks or the Verification Icons, and you should make your own inquiries as to the accuracy, legitimacy, validity, credibility or authenticity of any users of the Platform.

11 Reviews

11.1 A Trade Business may review their experience with the Homeowner or Subcontractor on the Platform, and Homeowners may review with the Trade Business or Subcontractor on the Platform (each a Review).

11.2 Reviews can be viewed by any user and will remain viewable until the relevant Account is removed or terminated.

11.3 You agree to provide true, fair, independent and accurate information in your Review. If we consider that the Review is untrue, unfair, inaccurate, not objective, offensive or inappropriate, we may delete the Review or ban you from posting the Review. We do not undertake to review each Review. To the maximum extent permitted by law, we are not responsible for the content of any Reviews.

11.4 A Homeowner can write a Review about a Trade Business or Subcontractor only if you have had an experience with that Trade Business or Subcontractor, which means that (1) you have engaged the Trade Business through the Platform; or (2) you can otherwise document your interaction with the Trade Business or Subcontractor in relation to the Platform, including via correspondence (collectively referred to as a Homeowner Experience).

11.5 A Trade Business can write a Review about a Homeowner if you have had an experience with that Homeowner or Subcontractor, which means that (1) you have been engaged by the Homeowner through the Platform or engaged the Subcontractor through the Platform; or (2) you can otherwise document your interaction with the Homeowner or Subcontractor in relation to the Platform, including via correspondence (collectively referred to as a Trade Business Experience).

11.6 A Subcontractor can write a Review about a Homeowner or Trade Business if you have had an experience with that Homeowner or Trade Business, which means that (1) you have been engaged by the Trade Business through the Platform or worked on the relevant Homeowner's Works through the Platform; or (2) you can otherwise document your interaction with the Homeowner or Trade Business in relation to the Platform, including via correspondence (collectively referred to as a Subcontractor Experience).

11.7 Your Homeowner Experience, Subcontractor Experience or Trade Business Experience must have occurred in the 12 months prior to you writing a Review.

11.8 You may only write about your own Homeowner Experience, Subcontractor Experience or Trade Business Experience. You are not permitted to write a Review about somebody else's Homeowner Experience, Subcontractor Experience or Trade Business Experience, such as that of a family member or friend.

11.9 This clause will survive the termination or expiry of these Terms.

12 Intellectual Property

12.1 All intellectual property (including copyright) developed, adapted, modified or created by us or our personnel (including in connection with the Terms, any content on the Platform, and the products) (Our Intellectual Property) will at all times vest, or remain vested, in us.

12.2 We authorise you to use Our Intellectual Property solely for the purposes for which it was intended to be used.

12.3 You must not, without our prior written consent:

(a) copy, in whole or in part, any of Our Intellectual Property;

(b) reproduce, retransmit, distribute, disseminate, sell, publish, broadcast or circulate any of Our Intellectual Property to any third party; or

(c) breach any intellectual property rights connected with the Platform, including (without limitation) altering or modifying any of Our Intellectual Property; causing any of Our Intellectual Property to be framed or embedded in another website; or creating derivative works from any of Our Intellectual Property.

12.4 Nothing in the above clause restricts your ability to publish, post or repost Our Intellectual Property on your social media page or blog, provided that:

(a) you do not assert that you are the owner of Our Intellectual Property;

(b) unless explicitly agreed by us in writing, you do not assert that you are endorsed or approved by us;

(c) you do not damage or take advantage of our reputation, including in a manner that is illegal, unfair, misleading or deceptive; and

(d) you comply with all other terms of these Terms.

12.5 This clause will survive the termination or expiry of these Terms.

13 Content you upload

13.1 You may be permitted to post, upload, publish, submit or transmit relevant information and content including Reviews (User Content) on the Platform. We may run campaigns via the Platform and via social media that encourage you to post User Content on social media using specific hashtags (#) (Tag).

13.2 If you make any User Content available on or through the Platform, including on social media using a Tag, you grant to us a worldwide, irrevocable, perpetual, non-exclusive, transferable, royalty-free licence to use the User Content, with the right to use, view, copy, adapt, modify, distribute, license, transfer, communicate, publicly display, publicly perform, transmit, stream, broadcast, access, or otherwise exploit such User Content on, through or by means of the Platform and our social media platforms. We will only modify User Content to the extent reasonably required by us.

13.3 You agree that you are solely responsible for all User Content that you make available on or through the Platform, including on social media using a Tag. You represent and warrant that:

(a) you are either the sole and exclusive owner of all User Content or you have all rights, licenses, consents and releases that are necessary to grant to us the rights in such User Content (as contemplated by these Terms); and

(b) neither the User Content nor the posting, uploading, publication, submission or transmission of the User Content or our use of the User Content on, through or by means of our Platform (including on social media) will infringe, misappropriate or violate a third party's intellectual property rights, or rights of publicity or privacy, or result in the violation of any applicable law or regulation.

13.4 We do not endorse or approve, and are not responsible for, any User Content. We may, at any time (at our sole discretion), remove any User Content.

13.5 This clause will survive the termination or expiry of these Terms.

14 Warranties

14.1 You represent, warrant and agree that:

(a) you will not use our Platform, including Our Intellectual Property, in any way that competes with our business;

(b) there are no legal restrictions preventing you from entering into these Terms;

(c) all information and documentation that you provide to us in connection with these Terms is true, correct and complete;

(d) where you are a Trade Business or Subcontractor, you are responsible for complying with all laws, rules and regulations which apply to providing the goods and services in your Trade Business Listings or Subcontractor Listings;

(e) where you are a Trade Business or Subcontractor, you are appropriately qualified, and have any required skills, knowledge or training, to provide the goods and services;

(f) where you are a Trade Business or Subcontractor, you are solely responsible for determining which projects to accept, the type, timing, manner and means, methods or processes of providing your goods and services, the price you charge for goods and services. You are not our employee and are not entitled to any employment benefits. We do not supervise, direct or control any of the goods and services you offer. We do not set your fees, work hours, your schedule or your location. We do not provide you with training, equipment or tools or any materials to provide your goods and services. You are responsible for any taxes payable on any fee you receive for your goods and services.

15 Data Protection

15.1 We understand that protecting your Personal Data is important. We set out how we handle your Personal Data in our Privacy Policy, available on our website.

15.2 We process Homeowners' Personal Data, and Trade Business's and Subcontractor's process Homeowners' Personal Data (for example, the Homeowner's name and delivery address) as separate and independent controllers. This means that we and Trade Business and Subcontractor are responsible for the Personal Data we each process.

15.3 Where you are a Trade Business or Subcontractor, you agree to:

(a) comply with all obligations under the Data Protection Act 2018 and all other data protection laws applicable to the processing of Homeowner Personal Data;

(b) only process Homeowners' Personal Data that you receive through the Platform exclusively for the purpose(s) for which you received the Personal Data under and/or in connection with these Terms; and

(c) delete all Homeowner Personal Data you receive in connection with the Platform and/or these Terms immediately after the respective purpose(s) has/have been fulfilled, except to the extent you are legally required to retain the Personal Data.

15.4 Despite anything to the contrary, to the maximum extent permitted by law, if we and you (as a Trade Business or a Subcontractor) are found to be joint data controllers of Homeowners' Personal Data, you (as a Trade Business or Subcontractor) are liable for, and agree to indemnify us and hold us harmless in respect of, any Liability that we may suffer, incur or otherwise become liable for, arising from or in connection with your breach of this clause 15 or any applicable data protection laws.

16 Limitations on liability

16.1 The restrictions on liability in this clause 16 apply to every liability arising under or in connection with these Terms including liability in statute, contract, equity, tort (including negligence), misrepresentation, restitution, indemnity or otherwise.

16.2 Nothing in these Terms limits any Liability which cannot legally be limited, including Liability for:

(a) death or personal injury caused by negligence;

(b) fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation;

(c) breach of the terms implied by section 2 of the Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982 (title and quiet possession); and

(d) defective products under the Consumer Protection Act 1987.

16.3 This clause 16.3 applies to the extent that the Platform is considered digital content. If the Platform is defective and it damages a device or digital content belonging to you and this is caused by our failure to use reasonable care and skill, we will either repair the damage or pay you compensation. However, we will not be liable for damage which you could have avoided by following our advice to apply an update offered to you free of charge or for damage which was caused by you failing to correctly follow installation instructions or to have in place the minimum system requirements advised by us.

16.4 To the maximum extent permitted by law, we will not be liable for, and you waive and release us from and against, any Liability caused or contributed to by, arising from or connected with:

(a) the use or results of any Third Party ID Service or Identity Check;

(b) any Third Party Services, or any unavailability of the Platform due to a failure of the Third Party Services; and

(c) any aspect of the Homeowner and Trade Business interaction, or Trade Business and Subcontractor interaction, including the goods and services offered by the Trade Business or Subcontractor, the description of the goods and services requested or offered, any advice provided, the performance of services or supply and delivery of goods by the Trade Business or Subcontractor;

16.5 Subject to clause 16.3 (damage caused by defective digital content) and clause 16.2 (liability which cannot legally be limited), but despite anything to the contrary, to the maximum extent permitted by law:

(a) will have no liability to you for liability for any special, indirect or consequential loss, including any loss of profit, loss of business, business interruption, or loss of business opportunity, in connection with you use of the Platform;

(b) we will not be liable to you for any loss, damage, expense, claim, liability or cost suffered or incurred by you under a Works Contract or Subcontractor Contract, or otherwise in respect of the Works or Subcontracted Works;

(c) a party's liability for any liability under these Terms will be reduced proportionately to the extent the relevant liability was caused or contributed to by the acts or omissions of the other party, including any failure by that other party to mitigate its loss.

16.6 We have given commitments as to the compliance of the Platform with these Terms and applicable Laws in clause 5.4. In view of these commitments, the terms implied by sections 3, 4 and 5 of the Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982 are, to the maximum extent permitted by law, excluded from these Terms.

16.7 This clause will survive the termination or expiry of your Membership and these Terms.

17 Termination

17.1 Your Account and these Terms may be terminated by you at any time, by notifying us in writing.

17.2 These Terms will terminate immediately upon written notice by a Party (Non-Defaulting Party) if:

(a) the other Party (Defaulting Party) breaches a material term of these Terms and that breach has not been remedied within 5 Business Days of the Defaulting Party being notified of the breach by the Non-Defaulting Party; or

(b) the Defaulting Party is unable to pay its debts as they fall due, becomes bankrupt, has any liquidator, administrator or receiver appointed over it, or otherwise suffers some other similar insolvency event occur to it in any jurisdiction.

17.3 As a Trade Business or Subcontractor, if you repeatedly receive reviews below 3 stars, then this will be considered a breach of a material term for the purpose of the above clause.

17.4 Should we suspect that you are in breach of these Terms, we may suspend your Account while we investigate the suspected breach.

17.5 Upon expiry or termination of these Terms:

(a) we will remove your access to the Platform and your Account will be deleted;

(b) we will immediately cease providing the Fort Services.

17.6 Termination of these Terms will not affect any rights or liabilities that a Party has accrued under it.

17.7 This clause will survive the termination or expiry of these Terms.

18 Insurance

18.1 As a Trade Business or Subcontractor, we may request that you provide evidence of your insurance. Where we do so, we are not confirming that the insurance you have is sufficient or suitable for the Construction Works you choose to provide. If we do not ask you to provide evidence of insurance this does not indicate that we believe you do not require insurance. You acknowledge and agree it is your responsibility to make your own investigations and receive professional advice on the insurance you require.

19 Notice regarding Apple

19.1 To the extent that you are using or accessing our Platform on an Ios device, you further acknowledge and agree to the terms of this clause. You acknowledge that these Terms are between you and us only, not with Apple Inc. (Apple), and Apple is not responsible for the Platform and any content available on the Platform.

19.2 Apple has no obligation to furnish you with any maintenance and support services with respect to our Platform.

19.3 If our mobile application fails to conform to any applicable warranty, you may notify Apple and Apple will refund the purchase price of the mobile application to you. To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, Apple will have no other warranty obligation whatsoever with respect to the mobile application and any other claims, losses, liabilities, damages, costs or expenses attributable to any failure to conform to any warranty will be our responsibility.

19.4 Apple is not responsible for addressing any claims by you or any third party relating to our mobile application or your use of our mobile application, including but not limited to (1) product liability claims; (2) any claim that our mobile application fails to conform to any applicable legal or regulatory requirement; and (3) claims arising under consumer protection or similar legislation.

19.5 Apple is not responsible for the investigation, defence, settlement and discharge of any third-party claim that our mobile application infringes that third party's intellectual property rights.

19.6 You agree to comply with any applicable third-party terms when using our mobile application, including any Usage Rules set forth in the Apple App Store Agreement of Service.

19.7 Apple and Apple's subsidiaries are third-party beneficiaries of these Terms, and upon your acceptance of these Terms, Apple will have the right (and will be deemed to have accepted the right) to enforce these Terms against you as a third-party beneficiary of these Terms.

19.8 You hereby represent and warrant that (1) you are not located in a country that is subject to a U.S. Government embargo, or that has been designated by the U.S. Government as a "terrorist supporting" country; and (2) you are not listed on any U.S. Government list of prohibited or restricted parties.

20 General

20.1 Assignment: Subject to the below clause 20.2, a Party must not assign or deal with the whole or any part of its rights or obligations under these Terms without the prior written consent of the other Party (such consent is not to be unreasonably withheld).

20.2 Assignment of Debt: You agree that we may assign or transfer any debt owed by you to us, arising under or in connection with these Terms, to a debt collector, debt collection agency, or other third party.

20.3 Confidentiality: Other than where the disclosure is permitted by law or where disclosure by us is required for us to provide the Fort Services, each Party agrees not to disclose any confidential information it may access on or through the Platform to a third party, or otherwise misuse such confidential information. Confidential information may include confidential information supplied to you by us, by a Homeowner, or by a Trade Business, or Subcontractor.

20.4 Entire Terms: Subject to your consumer law rights, these Terms contains the entire understanding between the Parties and the Parties agree that no representation or statement has been made to, or relied upon by, either of the Parties, except as expressly stipulated in these Terms, and these Terms supersedes all previous discussions, communications, negotiations, understandings, representations, warranties, commitments and agreements, in respect of its subject matter.

20.5 Force Majeure: Neither Party will be liable for any delay or failure to perform their respective obligations under these Terms if such delay or failure is caused or contributed to by a Force Majeure Event, provided the Party seeking to rely on the benefit of this clause, as soon as reasonably practical, notifies the other party in writing about the Force Majeure Event and the extent to which it is unable to perform its obligations, and uses reasonable endeavours to minimize the duration and adverse consequences of the Force Majeure Event.

20.6 Further assurance: You agree to promptly do all things and execute all further instruments necessary to give full force and effect to these Terms and your obligations under it.

20.7 Governing law: These Terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales. Each Party irrevocably and unconditionally submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts operating in England and Wales and any courts entitled to hear appeals from those courts and waives any right to object to proceedings being brought in those courts.

20.8 Notices: Any notice given under these Terms must be in writing addressed to us at the details set out below or to you at the details provided in your Account. Any notice may be sent by standard post or email, and will be deemed to have been served on the expiry of 48 hours in the case of post, or at the time of transmission in the case of transmission by email.

20.9 Publicity: You agree that we may advertise or publicize the broad nature of our supply of the Fort Services to you, including on our website or in our promotional material.

20.10 Relationship of Parties: These Terms are not intended to create a partnership, joint venture, employment or agency relationship between the Parties.

20.11 Severance: If a provision of these Terms is held to be void, invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that provision is to be read down as narrowly as necessary to allow it to be valid or enforceable, failing which, that provision (or that part of that provision) will be severed from these Terms without affecting the validity or enforceability of the remainder of that provision or the other provisions in these Terms.

20.12 Third party sites: The Platform may contain links to websites operated by third parties. Unless we tell you otherwise, we do not control, endorse or approve, and are not responsible for, the content on those websites. We recommend that you make your own investigations with respect to the suitability of those websites. If you purchase goods or services from a third party website linked from the Platform, such third party provides the goods and services to you, not us. We may receive a benefit (which may include a referral fee or a commission) should you visit certain third-party websites via a link on the Platform (Affiliate Link) or for featuring certain products or services on the Platform. We will make it clear by notice to you which (if any) products or services we receive a benefit to feature on the Platform, or which (if any) third party links are Affiliate Links.

21 Definitions

In these Terms the following terms have the following meanings:

a) Accepted Quote means:

i. as between a Homeowner and Trade Business, a Quote that has been agreed between a Trade Business and a Homeowner through the Platform; or

ii. as between a Trade Business and Subcontractor, a Quote that has been agreed between the Trade Business and Subcontractor through the Platform.

b) Construction Works means goods and services in connection with home building, renovation and other construction or trade works.

c) Dispute means a complaint or dispute between a Homeowner and Trade Business in respect of the Works Contract specifically about

whether or not a Milestone has been achieved, and whether or not a portion of the Works Fee referrable to that Milestone is payable. For the avoidance of doubt, a dispute shall not include any other dispute between the Homeowner and Trade Business relating to the Works Contract.

d) Fort Services means our services listed in clause 5.1, as amended in accordance with these Terms from time to time.

e) Force Majeure Event means any event or circumstance which is beyond a Party's reasonable control including but not limited to, acts of God including fire, hurricane, typhoon, earthquake, landslide, tsunami, mudslide or other catastrophic natural disaster, civil riot, civil rebellion, revolution, terrorism, insurrection, militarily usurped power, act of sabotage, act of a public enemy, war (whether declared or not) or other like hostilities, ionising radiation, contamination by radioactivity, nuclear, chemical or biological contamination, any widespread illness, quarantine or government, sanctioned ordinance or shutdown, pandemic (including COVID-19 and any variations or mutations to this disease or illness) or epidemic.

f) Payment Account means the connected account with the Third Party Provider of a Homeowner, Trade Business or Subcontractor (as applicable) used to make or receive milestone stage payments through the Platform.

g) Intellectual Property means any copyright, registered or unregistered designs, patents or trade marks, business names, get-up, goodwill, domain names, know-how, inventions, processes, trade secrets or Confidential Information, circuit layouts, software, computer programs, databases or source codes, including any application, or right to apply, for registration of, and any improvements, enhancements or modifications of, the foregoing.

h) Independent Expert means an independent surveyor or other expert that we appoint in respect of a Dispute.

i) Homeowner means an owner or tenant/lessee of a property.

j) Liability means any expense, cost, liability, loss, damage, claim, notice, entitlement, investigation, demand, proceeding or judgment (whether under statute, contract, equity, tort (including negligence), misrepresentation, restitution, indemnity or otherwise), howsoever arising, whether direct or indirect and/or whether present, unascertained, future or contingent and whether involving a third party or a Party to these Terms or otherwise.

k) Milestone means each relevant milestone in respect of Works or Subcontractor Works (as applicable), as set out in the Accepted Quote.

l) Personal Data has the meaning given in the Data Protection Act 2018.

m) Project Payment Account means the record of milestone stage payments relating to a Works Contract, processed through the Third Party Provider.

n) Quote means:

i. as between a Homeowner and Trade Business, a quote submitted by a Trade Business to a Homeowner through the Platform, in respect of Construction Works, either in response to a Homeowner Listing or Homeowner Request; or

ii. as between a Trade Business and Subcontractor, a quote submitted by a Subcontractor to a Trade Business through the Platform, in respect of Construction Works, in response to Trade Business Request

o) Subcontractor means an individual or sole trader that operate a business relating to Construction, who are engaged as a subcontractor by a Trade Business in respect of a particular Works Contract

p) Subcontractor Contract means the agreement or contract entered into between a Trade Business and a Subcontractor in respect of an Accepted Quote

q) Subcontracted Works means the relevant Construction Works the subject of a Subcontractor Contract.

r) Subcontractor Fees means the relevant fee for the Subcontracted Works the subject of a Subcontractor Contract.

s) Subcontractor Payment Account means the record of milestone stage payments relating to a Subcontractor Contract, processed through the Third Party Provider.

t) Third Party Provider means the third party payment and money account provider we use from time to time, which at the date of these Terms is 'Stripe'.

u) Trade Business means a sole trader, partnership, company or other entity operating a trade business relating to Construction Works;

v) Milestone stage payment means a payment of Works Fees or Subcontractor Fees for a particular Milestone through the Platform via the Third Party Provider (and does not constitute escrow).

w) Works means the relevant Construction Works the subject of a Works Contract.

x) Works Fee means the relevant fee for the Works, as set out in the Accepted Quote and Works Contract;

y) Works Contract means the agreement or contract entered into between a Homeowner and Trade Business in respect of an Accepted Quote.

Last updated: 6 July 2026 (on-platform payments)