Effective Date: 21 August 2026 Last Updated: 20 August 2026

These Terms of Service (“Terms”) govern your access to and use of the website located at engineerhut.com (the “Platform”) and the services offered through the Platform by Engineer Hut (“Engineer Hut,” “we,” “us,” or “our”).

By accessing or using the Platform, creating an account, posting a project, offering services, hiring an Engineer, or otherwise engaging with the Platform, you (“User,” “Client,” “Engineer,” or “you”) agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree to these Terms, you should not access or use the Platform.

How These Terms Fit Together

Engineer Hut’s legal terms are organized as a set of related documents. This Terms of Service is the master agreement and governs all use of the Platform. Depending on how you use Engineer Hut, one or more of the following documents also apply and are incorporated into these Terms by reference:

• Freelancer/Engineer Membership Agreement — applies to individuals or entities who register as Engineers, apply to projects, or accept assignments.
• Payment and Refund Terms — applies to all payments, invoicing, milestone/escrow-style holds, hourly billing, and refunds.
• API Terms of Use — applies to anyone accessing Engineer Hut programmatically, including via API keys or automated/AI agents.
• Nondiscrimination and Digital Accessibility Statement — applies to all Users.
• Privacy Policy — governs how personal data is collected and processed.

Where a more specific document conflicts with this Terms of Service on a matter it directly addresses, the more specific document controls for that matter. In all other respects, this Terms of Service governs.

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1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing the Platform, submitting a project request, registering an account, or otherwise engaging Engineer Hut’s services, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms, together with any documents incorporated by reference. You must be at least 18 years old, or the age of majority in your jurisdiction, and legally capable of entering into a binding contract. If you are accepting these Terms on behalf of a company or other legal entity, you represent that you have the authority to bind that entity, in which case “you” refers to that entity.

2. Definitions

• “Platform” means the Engineer Hut website, applications, and related services.
• “Client” means any individual or organization that requests, purchases, or receives services through the Platform.
• “Engineer” (also referred to as “Freelancer” or “Talent”) means an individual or entity registered on the Platform to perform project work, whether as part of a Managed Engagement or a Direct-Hire Engagement.
• “Managed Engagement” means an engagement in which Engineer Hut acts as the primary contracting party, assigns and supervises Engineers internally, and is responsible for delivery to the Client.
• “Direct-Hire Engagement” means an engagement in which a Client selects, contracts with, and pays an Engineer directly through the Platform, with Engineer Hut acting as facilitator rather than the contracting party for the work itself.
• “Deliverables” means the work product, code, designs, documentation, or other output produced under an engagement.
• “Confidential Information” has the meaning given in Section 14.

3. Eligibility and Accounts

You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials and for all activity that occurs under your account. You agree to provide accurate, current, and complete information when registering and to keep that information updated. Engineer Hut may suspend or terminate accounts that contain false, misleading, or fraudulent information.

4. Description of Services

Engineer Hut provides access to professional technology services, including software development, web and mobile application development, digital product design, cloud infrastructure, cybersecurity, consulting, systems integration, automation, and related digital services. Engineer Hut offers two engagement models, described below. A Client may use either or both models across different projects.

5. Managed Engagements

Under a Managed Engagement, the Client contracts with Engineer Hut as the service provider. Engineer Hut selects, assigns, and supervises the Engineer(s) working on the project internally. The Client does not have a direct contractual relationship with the assigned Engineer(s), and all communication regarding scope, delivery, and payment is conducted through Engineer Hut. Engineer Hut is responsible for the quality and delivery of work performed under a Managed Engagement, subject to the limitations in Section 25.

6. Direct-Hire Engagements

Under a Direct-Hire Engagement, a Client identifies, interviews, and directly contracts with an Engineer through the Platform. Engineer Hut facilitates the introduction, and where applicable, payment processing and dispute support, but is not a party to the underlying services contract between the Client and the Engineer. The Client and Engineer are solely responsible for agreeing on scope, timeline, price, and deliverables for a Direct-Hire Engagement, and for performing their respective obligations. Engineer Hut’s role in a Direct-Hire Engagement is limited to the Platform functionality it provides (e.g., messaging, contract templates, invoicing, and payment facilitation as described in the Payment and Refund Terms) unless otherwise agreed in writing.

Engineers participating in Direct-Hire Engagements are additionally bound by the Freelancer/Engineer Membership Agreement.

7. Project Initiation, Scope, and Change Management

Projects typically begin after a Client submits a request describing project requirements. For Managed Engagements, Engineer Hut evaluates the request and, where accepted, proposes scope, timeline, deliverables, and pricing. For Direct-Hire Engagements, scope and terms are agreed directly between Client and Engineer, optionally using contract tools provided on the Platform. Engineer Hut reserves the right to decline any project that does not align with its operational, ethical, technical, or legal standards.

Requests that materially change the originally agreed scope may require adjustments to pricing, timeline, or resource allocation. For Managed Engagements, Engineer Hut will provide a revised estimate before proceeding with out-of-scope work. For Direct-Hire Engagements, scope changes are negotiated directly between Client and Engineer.

8. Client Responsibilities

Clients agree to: (a) provide accurate project requirements, necessary access, credentials, and documentation; (b) respond to requests for feedback and approval in a timely manner; (c) make payments in accordance with the agreed terms; (d) use Deliverables in compliance with applicable law; and (e) not request work that is illegal, infringing, or that violates these Terms.

9. Engineer Responsibilities

Engineers agree to perform assigned or contracted work with reasonable professional skill and care, to communicate progress and material issues to the relevant party (Engineer Hut for Managed Engagements, or the Client directly for Direct-Hire Engagements), and to comply with the Freelancer/Engineer Membership Agreement, including its confidentiality, intellectual property, and conduct provisions.

10. Fees, Payments, and Refunds

All fees, invoicing methods, milestone or escrow-style payment holds, hourly billing, refund eligibility, and cancellation terms are governed by the Payment and Refund Terms, which is incorporated into these Terms by reference. Engineer Hut may use different payment mechanisms for Managed Engagements versus Direct-Hire Engagements, as described in that document.

11. Delivery, Review, and Acceptance

Deliverables are provided in accordance with the agreed scope of work. The receiving party is expected to review Deliverables within a reasonable period (or the period specified in the project agreement) and provide written approval or itemized feedback. Deliverables are deemed accepted if no feedback is provided within the agreed review period, or upon deployment/use in production, whichever occurs first, unless otherwise agreed in writing.

12. Intellectual Property Rights

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, ownership of final Deliverables created specifically for a Client transfers to that Client upon full payment for the applicable engagement. Prior to full payment, all rights in the Deliverables remain with Engineer Hut (for Managed Engagements) or the Engineer (for Direct-Hire Engagements).

Engineer Hut and its Engineers retain all rights to pre-existing tools, frameworks, libraries, methodologies, internal templates, and other materials not created specifically for the Client, even where such materials are incorporated into Deliverables, and grant the Client a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use such materials as embedded in the Deliverables for their intended purpose.

Each party retains ownership of its own pre-existing intellectual property, trademarks, and confidential business information.

13. Portfolio and Marketing Rights

Unless a Client has requested confidentiality in writing, Engineer Hut and its Engineers may reference completed projects, display non-confidential aspects of the work, and use the Client’s name and logo in portfolios, case studies, and marketing materials for promotional purposes. Clients may opt out of this at any time by written notice.

14. Confidentiality

“Confidential Information” means non-public business, technical, financial, or personal information disclosed by one party to another in connection with an engagement, excluding information that is public, independently developed, or rightfully received from a third party without restriction. Each party agrees to use the other’s Confidential Information solely to perform its obligations, to protect it with reasonable care, and not to disclose it to third parties without authorization, except as required by law. Confidentiality obligations survive termination of an engagement for a period of [3 years] or as otherwise agreed in a project-specific NDA.

15. Non-Solicitation and Non-Circumvention

Clients agree not to directly hire, engage, or solicit for independent work any Engineer introduced through a Managed Engagement, without Engineer Hut’s prior written consent, during the engagement and for [12 months] following its conclusion. This restriction does not apply to Engineers engaged through a Direct-Hire Engagement, where a direct relationship is the intended purpose of that engagement model. Engineers agree not to circumvent the Platform to solicit Clients introduced through Engineer Hut for work outside the Platform, in violation of the Freelancer/Engineer Membership Agreement.

16. Trademarks and Mark Use

“Engineer Hut,” associated logos, and related marks are the property of [Legal Entity Name]. No User may use Engineer Hut’s name, logo, or trademarks in a way that suggests endorsement, partnership, or affiliation without prior written permission, except for accurate, non-misleading references (e.g., “delivered via Engineer Hut”) in portfolios or promotional materials.

17. Third-Party Tools and Services

Projects may involve third-party software, libraries, APIs, hosting providers, payment processors, or other tools. Engineer Hut is not responsible for outages, pricing changes, licensing terms, security practices, or other issues arising from third-party services, though it will use reasonable efforts to select reputable providers and to notify affected parties of known material issues.

18. API Access

Programmatic access to Engineer Hut, including via API keys or automated/AI agents (including MCP-compatible integrations), is governed by the separate API Terms of Use.

19. Data Protection and Privacy

Engineer Hut processes personal data in accordance with applicable data protection law and its Privacy Policy, available at engineerhut.com/privacy-policy/. By using the Platform, you consent to the collection and processing of information as described there.

20. Security

Engineer Hut follows industry-standard practices intended to protect the security of the Platform and information processed through it. No system is completely secure, and Engineer Hut cannot guarantee absolute security against unauthorized access, breach, or loss due to evolving threats or factors outside its control.

21. Support and Maintenance

Post-delivery support and maintenance are provided only where included in the applicable project agreement or purchased separately. Where included, such services may cover updates, bug fixes, performance improvements, and technical support within the scope agreed.

22. Nondiscrimination and Accessibility

Engineer Hut’s commitments regarding equal treatment of Clients and Engineers, and the accessibility of the Platform, are set out in the Nondiscrimination and Digital Accessibility Statement, incorporated by reference.

23. Acceptable Use

You agree not to: use the Platform for unlawful purposes; upload or transmit malicious code; attempt to gain unauthorized access to Platform systems or other Users’ accounts; misrepresent your identity or qualifications; circumvent Platform fees or payment mechanisms; harass, discriminate against, or abuse other Users; or infringe the intellectual property or privacy rights of others. Violation of this section may result in suspension or termination of access, in addition to any other remedies available to Engineer Hut.

24. Proprietary Rights Infringement Reporting

If you believe content on the Platform, or a Deliverable produced through the Platform, infringes your intellectual property rights, please submit a written notice to [legal/abuse contact email] including: (a) identification of the work claimed to be infringed; (b) identification of the allegedly infringing material and its location; (c) your contact information; (d) a statement of good-faith belief that the use is unauthorized; and (e) a statement, under penalty of perjury, that the information is accurate and that you are authorized to act on behalf of the rights holder. Engineer Hut will review and respond to valid notices in accordance with applicable law.

25. Disclaimers and Limitation of Liability

THE PLATFORM AND SERVICES ARE PROVIDED “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE” WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR NON-INFRINGEMENT, EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY STATED IN A SIGNED PROJECT AGREEMENT.

To the maximum extent permitted by law, Engineer Hut’s total liability arising from or related to a Managed Engagement is limited to the amount paid by the Client for the relevant engagement in the [six (6) months] preceding the claim. Engineer Hut is not liable for indirect, incidental, consequential, special, or punitive damages, including loss of profits, business interruption, or data loss, even if advised of the possibility of such damages.

For Direct-Hire Engagements, Engineer Hut’s liability is limited to its role as facilitator (including payment processing errors caused by Engineer Hut), and Engineer Hut is not liable for the acts, omissions, or work quality of the Engineer or Client in that direct relationship.

Nothing in these Terms limits liability that cannot be limited under applicable law, including liability for gross negligence, willful misconduct, fraud, or death or personal injury caused by negligence.

26. Indemnification

Each party agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the other party, and its officers, employees, and agents, from third-party claims, damages, and reasonable expenses (including legal fees) arising from: (a) that party’s breach of these Terms; (b) that party’s violation of applicable law; (c) infringement of a third party’s intellectual property rights caused by that party’s actions or materials; or (d) misuse of Deliverables by the Client outside the scope of the license granted.

27. Suspension and Termination

Engineer Hut may suspend or terminate access to the Platform or a specific engagement if: payment obligations are not met; these Terms are violated; continued service would expose Engineer Hut to legal or operational risk; or as required by law. Either party may terminate an ongoing engagement in accordance with the terms of the applicable project agreement. Upon termination, completed and paid-for work will be delivered, and outstanding invoices become due in accordance with the Payment and Refund Terms.

28. Force Majeure

Neither party is liable for delay or failure to perform obligations caused by events beyond its reasonable control, including natural disasters, power or internet outages, government action, labor disputes, or similar events, provided the affected party gives prompt notice and uses reasonable efforts to mitigate the impact.

29. Dispute Resolution

The parties agree to attempt in good faith to resolve any dispute arising from these Terms or an engagement through direct negotiation for at least [30 days] before pursuing formal proceedings. If unresolved, disputes will be resolved through [binding arbitration / the courts of [Jurisdiction]] as specified in Section 30, except that either party may seek injunctive relief in court for misuse of confidential information or intellectual property.

30. Governing Law and Venue

These Terms are governed by the laws of [Jurisdiction], without regard to conflict-of-law principles. The parties submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts located in [Venue] for any dispute not subject to arbitration.

31. General Provisions

If any provision of these Terms is found unenforceable, the remaining provisions remain in full force. Failure to enforce a provision is not a waiver of the right to enforce it later. Neither party may assign these Terms without the other’s written consent, except that Engineer Hut may assign these Terms in connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets. These Terms, together with the documents incorporated by reference and any signed project agreement, constitute the entire agreement between the parties on this subject.

32. Amendments

Engineer Hut may update these Terms from time to time. Material changes will be posted on this page with an updated “Last Updated” date, and, where required by law, notified to registered Users. Continued use of the Platform after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.

33. Related Documents

This Terms of Service should be read together with:

• Freelancer/Engineer Membership Agreement
• Payment and Refund Terms
• API Terms of Use
• Nondiscrimination and Digital Accessibility Statement
• Privacy Policy

34. Contact Information

Questions regarding these Terms may be directed to contact@engineerhut.com or through the official contact channels listed at https://engineerhut.com/contact/.