Terms of Service

Last Updated: March 14, 2026

Welcome to SquadEase. These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your use of the SquadEase platform ("Platform"), operated by Start Squad ("Company", "we", "us", or "our"). By accessing or using our Platform, you agree to be bound by these Terms.

1. Acceptance of Terms

By creating an account or using our services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms and our Privacy Policy. If you do not agree to these Terms, you may not use our Platform.

2. Description of Service

SquadEase is a local freelancer marketplace that connects clients with freelancers within a ~25 mile radius. Our Platform facilitates:

  • Job posting by clients (companies and individuals), including AI-assisted project creation
  • Proposal submission by freelancers, or direct freelancer assignment by clients
  • Secure payment processing through escrow and client wallet system
  • Communication between parties and project file storage
  • Review and rating systems
  • AI-powered writing tools to assist with proposals, bios, descriptions, and other platform content
  • Training and certification programs for all user roles

3. User Accounts

3.1 Registration: You must provide accurate, current, and complete information during registration and keep your account information updated.

3.2 Account Security: You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials and for all activities under your account.

3.3 Account Types: Users may register as Clients or Freelancers. Hub Owners and Hub Managers are roles assigned by platform administrators. Each account type has specific rights and responsibilities.

4. Freelancer Requirements

Freelancers must:

  • Complete all required training before accessing the platform
  • Maintain accurate profile information
  • Comply with all applicable laws and regulations
  • Deliver services as agreed with clients
  • Maintain professional communication standards

5. Client Responsibilities

Clients must:

  • Provide clear and accurate project descriptions
  • Fund escrow before work begins
  • Respond to freelancer communications in a timely manner
  • Release payment upon satisfactory completion of work
  • Provide fair and honest reviews

6. Fees and Payments

6.1 Client Fees: Posting projects on SquadEase is FREE for clients. Clients only pay for completed work.

6.2 Platform Fee: SquadEase charges an 8% platform fee per project, deducted from the freelancer's earnings upon project completion.

6.3 Direct Hire Fee: If a client hires a freelancer for full-time employment, a one-time finder's fee of 5% of the average annual salary for that role applies. This fee applies to any full-time employment offer made to a freelancer whose relationship with the client was cultivated through the SquadEase Platform, regardless of when the offer is made. Clients must use the Platform's "Offer Full-Time Position" feature to initiate direct hires.

6.4 Escrow: All payments are processed through our secure escrow system. Funds are held until work is approved and released after a brief holding period following project completion. SquadEase earns interest on funds held in escrow at a rate of 4.5% APY. This interest income helps us maintain low platform fees and provide a better experience for all users. Freelancers and clients do not earn interest on escrowed funds.

6.5 Hub Owner Commissions: Hub Owners receive the 8% platform fee per project as commissions from freelancers assigned to their hub. Hub Owners keep the full 8% with no further deductions.

6.6 Out-of-Area Fee: Freelancers who accept projects outside their assigned hub area are subject to a 16% platform fee per project (double the standard 8% rate). The additional 8% compensates the hub operator in the project's location for lost opportunity and supports local freelancing ecosystems.

7. Client Wallet

7.1 Wallet Balance: Clients may deposit funds into their platform Wallet via Stripe. General deposits require a $500 minimum; project-specific payments have no minimum. Wallet funds are used to fund project escrow accounts.

7.2 Refunds to Wallet: If a project is cancelled, escrowed funds are returned to the client's Wallet balance as platform credits. Wallet credits are not automatically refunded to the original payment method.

7.3 Wallet Withdrawal: Clients may request withdrawal of unused Wallet funds by contacting support. Processing may take 5-10 business days.

8. Direct Freelancer Assignment

8.1 Assignment Option: Clients may assign a specific freelancer to a project instead of opening it for proposals. The freelancer must confirm the assignment before work begins.

8.2 Trusted Partner Fast-Track: Clients and freelancers who have completed three (3) or more projects together may use the fast-track option, which allows the client to set the project budget directly and begin work immediately without the standard scoping review process.

8.3 Declined Assignments: If a freelancer declines a direct assignment, the project may be opened for proposals from other freelancers.

9. AI-Powered Tools

9.1 AI Services: SquadEase provides optional AI-powered tools including the AI Project Assistant and AI Writing Assistant. These tools use third-party AI services (Anthropic Claude) to generate content suggestions.

9.2 User Responsibility: AI-generated content is provided as suggestions only. Users are responsible for reviewing, editing, and ensuring the accuracy of any AI-generated content before submission. SquadEase does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of AI-generated content.

9.3 Data Processing: When using AI tools, relevant project and profile information may be sent to our AI service provider for processing. See our Privacy Policy for details on how this data is handled.

9.4 No Reliance: AI tools are assistive and should not be the sole basis for business decisions, project scoping, or contractual commitments.

10. Prohibited Conduct

Users may not:

  • Circumvent the Platform to avoid fees: This includes, but is not limited to, taking client-freelancer relationships off-platform to avoid platform fees or direct hire fees. Any attempt to hire a SquadEase freelancer for full-time employment outside of the Platform's official process, after that relationship was cultivated through the Platform, constitutes a violation of these Terms. SquadEase reserves the right to pursue legal action to recover the finder's fee (5% of gross annual salary) plus associated legal costs.
  • Provide false or misleading information
  • Harass, threaten, or abuse other users
  • Post inappropriate, illegal, or harmful content
  • Attempt to manipulate reviews or ratings
  • Use the Platform for illegal activities
  • Create multiple accounts without authorization

11. Intellectual Property

8.1 Platform Content: All Platform content, including logos, designs, and software, is owned by Start Squad and protected by intellectual property laws.

8.2 User Content: Users retain ownership of content they create. By posting content, you grant us a license to display it on the Platform.

8.3 Work Product: Ownership of work product is determined by the agreement between client and freelancer, unless otherwise specified.

12. Dispute Resolution

In case of disputes between users:

  • Users should first attempt to resolve disputes directly
  • If unresolved, users may request Platform mediation
  • SquadEase reserves the right to make final decisions on disputed escrow funds
  • Repeated disputes may result in account restrictions

13. Disclaimer of Warranties

The Platform is provided on an "AS IS" and "AS AVAILABLE" basis without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. SquadEase does not warrant that the Platform will be uninterrupted, error-free, or secure. We do not guarantee the quality, accuracy, or reliability of any freelancer's work, AI-generated content, or user-submitted information.

14. Limitation of Liability

SquadEase is a platform connecting users. We do not employ freelancers or guarantee their work. To the maximum extent permitted by law, SquadEase shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages arising from your use of the Platform, including but not limited to damages from AI-generated content, payment processing delays, or disputes between users.

15. Termination

We may suspend or terminate accounts for violations of these Terms. Users may close their accounts at any time, subject to completing any outstanding obligations.

16. Changes to Terms

We may update these Terms periodically. Continued use of the Platform after changes constitutes acceptance of the new Terms. We will notify users of material changes via email or Platform notification.

17. Governing Law

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Florida, without regard to its conflict of law provisions. Any disputes arising under these Terms shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts located in Alachua County, Florida.

18. Contact Information

For questions about these Terms, contact us at:

SquadEase (a Start Squad Company)
Email: info@squadease.com
Phone: 833-HIT US UP
Gainesville, FL