Terms of Service

1. What Cougar Hire is

Cougar Hire is a marketplace that connects customers in Utah County with current BYU students who offer labor. We are not the employer of any student and we don't perform jobs ourselves. Each job is an agreement between the customer and the student. Cougar Hire is an independent service and is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Brigham Young University.

2. Accounts

• You must give accurate information and keep your password secure. One account per person.
• Customer accounts are for people who need help with a job. Student accounts require a photo of a current BYU student ID and our approval.
• We may suspend or close accounts that break these terms or put others at risk.

3. Posting jobs

• Jobs must be in our service area (listed ZIP codes in Utah County) and describe the work honestly.
• You provide all tools, equipment, supplies, and vehicles. Students provide labor only. They never drive your vehicle or their own vehicle for a job, and they don't bring tools, equipment, or supplies.
• These kinds of work are not allowed: hauling or junk removal; anything requiring a student's vehicle; licensed work (electrical, plumbing, gas); childcare; elder care; pet sitting.
• You're responsible for a safe work site and for telling the student about any hazards.

4. Quotes, booking, and payment

• Students send quotes. Accepting a quote books that student and shares both of your names and phone numbers, and your address with the student.
• Payment happens directly between you and the student (for example, cash or a payment app) after the job, for the amount you agreed. Cougar Hire does not currently process payments or charge fees. We may introduce fees or paid features in the future; we'll tell you before any change applies to you.
• Hourly quotes show a total based on the student's estimate. If the job changes, agree on any change in price before the work is done.

5. Cancellations, completion, and problems

• You can cancel an open job at any time. You can cancel a booking before the job starts; cancellations within 24 hours of the start are recorded on your account.
• When a student marks a job complete, please confirm it or report a problem. If you don't respond, it confirms automatically after 48 hours.
• If you report a problem, we'll review it and may contact both of you. We can mark the job completed or cancelled, and may take action on either account. We are not responsible for resolving payment disputes between you and the student, or for damage or injury arising from a job.

6. Messages and conduct

• Before a booking, contact details stay private and messages that try to share them aren't delivered. Please keep booking and communication on Cougar Hire until then.
• Be respectful. No harassment, discrimination, or requests for anything illegal or unsafe.
• Reviews must be honest and about the job.

7. Liability

Cougar Hire is provided “as is.” To the extent the law allows, we aren't liable for the acts of customers or students, for the quality of work, or for loss, damage, or injury related to a job. Nothing here limits rights you have under Utah law that can't be waived.

8. Changes and contact

We may update these terms and will note the date above. Questions: [support email, to be added before launch].