Terms of Service
The commercial conditions, counterparty responsibilities, and legal boundaries governing all Direct Handshake interactions.
Key Commercial Summary
- Introduction Service Only: Direct Handshake connects independent operators with independent specialists. We are not an employer, general contractor, joint venturer, or insurer.
- Direct Contracts: All agreements, rates, statements of work, and payments are executed solely and directly between the Operator and the Specialist.
- Counterparty Due Diligence: Operators are solely responsible for confirming contractor licenses, permits, workers' compensation, and insurance coverage prior to project start.
- Limitation of Liability: Direct Handshake disclaims liability for counterparty performance, job site incidents, property damage, or breach of contract between counterparties.
1. Acceptance of Terms
These Terms of Service ("Terms") constitute a legally binding agreement between you (whether an individual operator, business entity, contractor, or service specialist) and Direct Handshake ("we", "us", or "our"). By visiting directhandshake.com, submitting an intake brief, applying to our specialist network, or engaging our routing desk, you agree to be bound by these Terms in full. If you do not agree, do not use our services.
2. Description of the Service
Direct Handshake provides curated, business-to-business (B2B) communications, connector routing, and strategic introduction services ("The Service"). Our role is strictly limited to evaluating operational scopes submitted by operators and facilitating direct contact introductions to independent contractors or service providers who have indicated matching availability and qualifications.
3. Independent Business Relationship (Crucial Classification Notice)
No Employment or Agency Relationship: You explicitly acknowledge and agree that Direct Handshake is an independent introduction desk and is NOT:
- An employer, co-employer, joint employer, staffing agency, or labor broker for any contractor or specialist.
- A licensed general contractor, architectural firm, engineering consultant, or master tradesperson.
- A partner, franchisor, joint venturer, or legal agent of any operator or specialist.
- An insurer, guarantor, surety, or escrow holder for any transaction.
Specialists in our network operate independent, autonomous commercial enterprises. Specialists maintain sole control over their business methods, working hours, tool and equipment selection, subcontractor staffing, and negotiated pricing. Direct Handshake does not supervise, inspect, direct, or control the physical performance, scheduling, or execution of work on any job site or facility.
4. Independent Due Diligence & Legal Licensing
While Direct Handshake strives to introduce reputable professionals based on information provided during network onboarding, each party is solely and strictly responsible for conducting its own due diligence prior to signing an agreement or permitting physical access to a facility or property:
- Operators are responsible for requesting and verifying current trade licenses, local municipal permits, certificates of insurance (COI) naming the operator as additional insured, and workers' compensation coverage.
- Specialists are responsible for verifying operator identity, creditworthiness, scope definitions, site safety conditions, and payment arrangements.
5. Fees, Commercial Pricing & Direct Invoicing
Direct Handshake is compensated in the following ways:
- Submitting a Request or Joining ($0): submitting a requirement brief or applying to the provider network is free of charge for both sides.
- Qualified Introduction Fee: once Direct Handshake verifies fit and makes a qualified introduction, a pre-agreed introduction fee applies (paid by one side or both, as agreed upfront before the introduction is made).
- Dedicated Retainer: an optional monthly fee for ongoing sourcing and priority backup, defined in a separate written retainer agreement.
Once the introduction is made, both parties deal directly. Direct Handshake does not mark up, deduct from, or intermediate payment for the work itself. All quotes, contracts, purchase orders, invoices, and payments for services are settled directly between the introduced businesses.
6. Disclaimer of Warranties
THE SERVICE IS PROVIDED ON AN "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" BASIS. TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, DIRECT HANDSHAKE EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, WHETHER STATUTORY, EXPRESS, OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO:
- IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR NON-INFRINGEMENT.
- WARRANTIES REGARDING THE QUALITY, TIMELINESS, SAFETY, LEGALITY, WORKMANSHIP, OR RELIABILITY OF ANY COUNTERPARTY INTRODUCED THROUGH THE DESK.
- WARRANTIES THAT AN INTRODUCTION WILL BE COMPLETED WITHIN A SPECIFIC TIMEFRAME OR LEAD TO A SUCCESSFUL CONTRACT.
7. Limitation of Liability
TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMISSIBLE UNDER APPLICABLE UNITED STATES AND STATE LAW, DIRECT HANDSHAKE, ITS MANAGING PRINCIPAL, AFFILIATES, AND AGENTS SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE, OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION:
- LOSS OF PROFITS, REVENUE, DATA, OR BUSINESS REPUTATION;
- PROPERTY DAMAGE, WORK DELAYS, MISSED TURNOVERS, OR SITE DISRUPTIONS ARISING FROM COUNTERPARTY CONDUCT;
- PERSONAL INJURY, WORKPLACE ACCIDENTS, OR CONTRACT BREACHES BETWEEN OPERATORS AND SPECIALISTS.
IN NO EVENT SHALL DIRECT HANDSHAKE'S TOTAL AGGREGATE LIABILITY FOR ALL CLAIMS ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THESE TERMS OR THE SERVICE EXCEED THE AMOUNT PAID BY YOU DIRECTLY TO DIRECT HANDSHAKE IN THE TWELVE (12) MONTHS PRECEDING THE CLAIM, OR ONE HUNDRED UNITED STATES DOLLARS ($100.00 USD), WHICHEVER IS GREATER.
8. Indemnification
You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless Direct Handshake, its managing principal, and representatives from and against any third-party claims, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, or legal fees arising from or related to: (a) your use of our platform or introduction services; (b) any contract or transaction executed between you and an introduced counterparty; (c) your violation of any applicable federal, state, or municipal law, licensing regulation, or third-party right; or (d) any physical work or service performed or procured by your business.
9. User Conduct & Prohibited Activities
You agree not to submit fraudulent, deceptive, or defamatory briefs; scrape or harvest data from our platform; impersonate any individual or entity; or use our routing desk to circumvent legitimate commercial agreements or engage in unlawful commercial discrimination.
10. Dispute Resolution & Governing Law
These Terms and any dispute arising hereunder shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the United States and the State of Delaware, without regard to conflict of law principles. Any dispute, claim, or controversy shall be resolved exclusively through final and binding individual arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association (AAA) under its Commercial Arbitration Rules. YOU WAIVE ANY RIGHT TO COMMENCE OR PARTICIPATE IN ANY CLASS ACTION, COLLECTIVE ACTION, OR REPRESENTATIVE PROCEEDING AGAINST DIRECT HANDSHAKE.
11. Severability & Entire Agreement
If any provision of these Terms is determined to be unlawful, void, or unenforceable by an arbitrator or court of competent jurisdiction, that provision shall be enforced to the maximum extent permissible, and the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.
12. Legal Inquiries & Contact
Direct Handshake Desk
Attention: Legal & Commercial Governance
Email: abuzar@directhandshake.com
Website: directhandshake.com