Anderson SC Home Services Directory is a LISTING SERVICE like a digital phone book or Yellow Pages. We list contractors who pay to be listed and display information they provide to us. We do NOT verify contractor licenses, insurance, credentials, or work quality. You must independently verify all contractor information before hiring. We are not involved in the work contractors perform and assume no responsibility for contractor actions or work quality.
1. ACCEPTANCE OF TERMS
By using Anderson SC Home Services Directory ("Directory," "Website," "Service," "we," "us," "our"), you ("User," "Customer," "Homeowner," "you," "your") agree to be bound by these Customer Terms of Service ("Terms"). If you do not agree to these Terms, do not use this Service.
2. WHAT OUR SERVICE IS (AND ISN'T)
2.1 We Are a Listing Service
Anderson SC Home Services Directory is like a digital phone book. We provide:
- Contractor Listings: Directory of local contractors and service providers in Anderson County
- Service Request Forms: Ability to submit requests and get connected with contractors
- Lead Distribution: We send your request to up to 3 contractors in your service category
- Contact Information: Phone numbers, emails, and basic business information
- Self-Reported Information: Insurance status, service descriptions, and photos contractors provide
2.2 What We Are NOT
CRITICAL - We are NOT:
- ❌ A contractor verification service
- ❌ A licensing or insurance verification agency
- ❌ A quality assurance or inspection service
- ❌ A dispute resolution or mediation service
- ❌ A warranty or guarantee provider
- ❌ An employer or supervisor of contractors
- ❌ A party to contracts between you and contractors
Translation: We connect you with contractors. Everything after that is between you and them. We're not involved and we're not responsible for what happens.
3. UNDERSTANDING CONTRACTOR INSURANCE TIERS
All insurance information displayed on contractor profiles is self-reported by contractors and NOT verified by us. You must independently verify insurance coverage before hiring any contractor.
3.1 What the Badges Mean
Contractors in our directory fall into three categories based on their tier level:
🥉 "Independent Contractor" (Basic Tier)
What this means:
- Contractor does NOT have liability insurance
- This badge clearly shows they are uninsured
- Often handymen, painters, small independent contractors
- Lower tier = lower listing fee = often lower prices
If you hire them:
- ✓ Get everything in writing
- ✓ Check your homeowner's insurance coverage
- ✓ Start with smaller jobs to test quality
- ✓ Understand you're taking more risk
- ✓ Consider hiring insured contractors for expensive projects
🥈 "Self-Reported Insured Contractor" (Standard Tier)
What this means:
- Contractor CLAIMS to have liability insurance
- We display the coverage amount they report
- May have uploaded an insurance certificate
- WE HAVE NOT VERIFIED THIS INFORMATION
Before you hire them:
- ✓ Call the insurance agent listed on certificate
- ✓ Verify the policy is current and active
- ✓ Verify coverage amount is accurate
- ✓ Ask to be added as "additional insured" for your project
- ✓ Get your own Certificate of Insurance with YOUR name on it
🥇 "Self-Reported Premium Insured Professional" (Premium Tier)
What this means:
- Contractor CLAIMS to have higher insurance coverage (typically $1M+)
- Certificate displayed on their profile
- Top tier = higher listing fees = usually more established businesses
- STILL SELF-REPORTED - NOT VERIFIED BY US
Before you hire them:
- ✓ Same verification steps as Standard Tier
- ✓ Premium badge means they paid more for listing, NOT that we verified anything
- ✓ Always verify insurance independently
- ✓ Check references and reviews
4. YOUR RESPONSIBILITY - VERIFY BEFORE YOU HIRE
You must verify all contractor information yourself. We are a listing service that displays what contractors tell us. We do not check if information is accurate. Hiring a contractor without verification is YOUR choice and YOUR risk.
4.1 How to Verify Contractors (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Verify License
- Call South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR): (803) 896-4686
- Visit: verify.sc.gov
- Confirm contractor's license is current and active
- Check if license matches the work they're doing
- Verify there are no disciplinary actions against them
Step 2: Verify Insurance
- Request a Certificate of Insurance from the contractor
- Call the insurance agent listed on the certificate
- Verify: Policy is current, coverage amounts are accurate, contractor is actually insured
- Ask to be added as "additional insured" for your project
- Get your own certificate with YOUR name as additional insured
Step 3: Check References
- Ask for at least 3 recent customer references
- Actually call those references
- Ask: Was work quality good? Did they finish on time? Any problems? Would you hire them again?
- Google their business name and read reviews
Step 4: Get Written Estimates
- Get estimates from at least 3 contractors
- Compare pricing, timeline, scope of work
- Get EVERYTHING in writing - never accept verbal-only quotes
- Ask questions about anything unclear
Step 5: Use Written Contracts
- Never start work without a written contract
- Contractor should provide their own contract
- Read it carefully before signing
- For expensive projects ($10K+), have YOUR lawyer review the contract
- Make sure it includes: Scope of work, timeline, payment schedule, warranty terms, insurance requirements
Step 6: Smart Payment Practices
- NEVER pay 100% upfront
- Typical payment schedule: 10-30% down, progress payments, final payment upon completion
- For large projects, consider escrow or payment bonding
- Pay by check or credit card (never cash only)
- Get receipts for all payments
4.2 Red Flags - When to Walk Away
Don't hire a contractor if they:
- 🚩 Refuse to provide license number
- 🚩 Refuse to provide insurance certificate
- 🚩 Pressure you to sign immediately without time to review
- 🚩 Require 100% payment upfront
- 🚩 Only accept cash payments
- 🚩 Won't provide written contract or estimate
- 🚩 Won't give you references
- 🚩 Have multiple serious complaints online
- 🚩 Claim they don't need permits when your city requires them
- 🚩 Pressure you to pull permits yourself to save money
5. HIRING UNINSURED CONTRACTORS
5.1 Understanding the Risks
Some contractors in our Basic Tier do not have insurance. This is legal and disclosed clearly on their profiles. However, you should understand the risks:
- Property Damage: If contractor damages your home, they may not have money to pay for repairs. You'd have to sue them personally.
- Injuries: If contractor or their worker gets hurt on your property, your homeowner's insurance might have to pay. This could increase your premiums or result in dropped coverage.
- No Financial Protection: Uninsured contractors may not have assets to cover damages. Winning a lawsuit doesn't help if they're bankrupt.
- Incomplete Work: If contractor abandons the job or does poor work, you have limited recourse.
5.2 When It Might Make Sense
Hiring uninsured contractors CAN be appropriate for:
- Small, low-risk jobs (minor repairs, painting, yard work)
- Jobs under $500-1,000
- When you're willing to accept the risk
- When the cost savings are significant
5.3 Protecting Yourself
If you hire an uninsured contractor:
- ✓ Check your homeowner's insurance - understand what it covers
- ✓ Call your insurance agent and ask about contractor injury coverage
- ✓ Get a written contract even for small jobs
- ✓ Take before/after photos
- ✓ Start with a small job to test their work
- ✓ Pay only after satisfactory completion
- ✓ Consider these contractors for low-risk work only
6. HOW SERVICE REQUESTS WORK
6.1 Submitting a Request
When you submit a service request through our website:
- We collect your contact information and project details
- We send your request to up to 3 contractors in the relevant category
- Higher tier contractors (Premium, Standard) get priority in lead distribution
- Contractors receive your: Name, phone, email, location, project description, timeline, budget (if provided)
6.2 What Happens Next
After submitting:
- Contractors will contact you directly (usually within 24-48 hours)
- They'll discuss your project, provide estimates, answer questions
- You're under NO obligation to hire any of them
- Interview all 3, compare estimates, check references
- Choose the contractor that best fits your needs
6.3 No Response from Contractors?
If no contractors respond within 2-3 days:
- Your project may be outside their service area
- Your project may be too small or too large for available contractors
- Your timing may not work for available contractors
- Try submitting a new request or calling contractors directly from directory
We cannot guarantee contractor response or availability. Contractors are independent businesses and decide which jobs to pursue.
7. WHAT WE'RE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR
Anderson SC Home Services Directory is a listing platform only. We connect you with contractors but are NOT involved in or responsible for the work they perform. Read this section carefully to understand what we're NOT liable for.
7.1 We Are NOT Responsible For:
- ❌ Work Quality: Quality, craftsmanship, or professionalism of contractor work
- ❌ Work Completion: Whether contractors finish jobs, meet deadlines, or honor commitments
- ❌ Property Damage: Any damage contractors cause to your property
- ❌ Injuries: Any injuries occurring on your property during contractor work
- ❌ Pricing Disputes: Disagreements about pricing, estimates, or final costs
- ❌ Contract Disputes: Any disputes arising from contracts between you and contractors
- ❌ Licensing Violations: Whether contractors have proper licenses or follow regulations
- ❌ Insurance Accuracy: Whether self-reported insurance information is accurate or current
- ❌ Fraud or Misconduct: Fraudulent, deceptive, or criminal behavior by contractors
- ❌ Code Violations: Whether work meets building codes or passes inspections
- ❌ Warranty Claims: Any warranty or guarantee issues
- ❌ Payment Disputes: Disputes about payments, refunds, or billing
7.2 Customer-Contractor Relationship
When you hire a contractor:
- You form a direct contractual relationship with THEM, not us
- All work agreements, payments, and warranties are between YOU and THEM
- We are not a party to your contract
- We cannot force contractors to do or pay anything
- We cannot mediate disputes or resolve conflicts
- Legal disputes must be between you and the contractor
7.3 What We CAN Help With
We CAN assist with:
- ✓ Technical issues with our website
- ✓ Questions about how our directory works
- ✓ Removing contractors who committed fraud or serious violations
- ✓ Updating contact information for contractors
- ✓ General guidance on hiring contractors
We CANNOT help with:
- ✗ Mediating work quality disputes
- ✗ Forcing contractors to finish work
- ✗ Forcing contractors to issue refunds
- ✗ Legal disputes or lawsuits
- ✗ Insurance claims
8. FREE SERVICE FOR HOMEOWNERS
Using our directory is completely FREE for homeowners.
- ✓ No cost to browse contractor listings
- ✓ No cost to submit service requests
- ✓ No cost to contact contractors
- ✓ No membership fees or subscription charges
How we make money: Contractors pay us one-time fees for directory listings and optional monthly fees for premium services. These fees do not affect the prices you receive from contractors.
9. PRIVACY & DATA SHARING
9.1 What Information We Share
When you submit a service request, we share the following with up to 3 contractors:
- Your name
- Phone number
- Email address
- Property location (address or ZIP code)
- Service type requested
- Project description
- Timeline and budget (if provided)
- Communication preferences
By submitting a service request, you consent to us sharing this information with contractors.
9.2 Contractor Use of Your Information
Once contractors receive your information:
- They may contact you via phone, email, or text
- They are independent businesses - we don't control how they use your info
- You can ask individual contractors to stop contacting you
- For detailed privacy information, see our Privacy Policy
10. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW:
- Anderson SC Home Services Directory provides this service "AS IS" without warranties of any kind
- We disclaim all warranties, express or implied, including merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose
- We are not liable for any damages arising from your use of our service or hiring of contractors
- Our total liability to you shall not exceed $100
- We are not liable for indirect, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages
Translation: We're a free directory service. If something goes wrong with a contractor, we're not financially responsible. You must pursue the contractor directly.
11. DISPUTE RESOLUTION WITH CONTRACTORS
11.1 If You Have Problems
Step 1: Try to resolve directly with contractor
- Most issues can be resolved through communication
- Document everything in writing (emails, texts)
- Take photos of problems
- Give contractor reasonable opportunity to fix issues
Step 2: If direct resolution fails
- File complaint with South Carolina LLR: (803) 896-4300
- Report to Better Business Bureau: www.bbb.org
- File complaint with South Carolina Consumer Affairs: (803) 734-4200
- Consider small claims court for monetary damages
- Consult an attorney for large disputes
Step 3: Serious violations only
- If contractor committed fraud, license violations, or serious misconduct, contact us
- We may remove their listing after investigation
- We still cannot mediate disputes or provide refunds
12. MODIFICATIONS TO TERMS
We may modify these Terms at any time by posting updated Terms on our website. Material changes will be communicated via email to registered users. Continued use after changes constitutes acceptance of modified Terms.
13. GOVERNING LAW
These Terms are governed by the laws of South Carolina. Any disputes shall be resolved in the courts of Anderson County, South Carolina.
14. CONTACT INFORMATION
For questions about these Terms or our service:
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: (864) 527-2499
- Business Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM EST
15. FINAL ACKNOWLEDGMENT
- You have read and understand these Terms
- You understand we're a listing service that doesn't verify contractors
- You understand insurance information is self-reported and not verified
- You accept responsibility for verifying contractors before hiring
- You understand we're not involved in or responsible for contractor work
- You agree to independently verify licenses, insurance, and references
- You understand hiring contractors is at your own risk
Be Smart. Be Safe. Verify Before You Hire.
Anderson SC Home Services Directory connects you with contractors, but YOUR due diligence protects YOU.
Facebook
Instagram
X