There are 11 principles that govern the way that buyers, service pros and OnForce interact with each other and the marketplace as a whole, which can be found in the Policies section of the website. While they are written in plain English, these guidelines are also binding requirements for maintaining access to OnForce and the communities it represents. There are corresponding Legal Terms that provide additional detail on some of the policies (all of which are linked directly by the corresponding principle).

Some of the guiding principles include special components for buyers or service pros. Those are specifically called out in a separate section.

All users of the platform should review the policies and ensure that they are comfortable with and willing to abide by all requirements. Violations of the principles or the accompanying legal terms may result in temporary or permanent suspension from the platform or, if appropriate, legal action.

Acknowledge the Marketplace
Understanding the difference between the OnForce marketplace and a traditional service company is essential to a successful engagement with the platform. Service service pros are not employees of OnForce and are independent contractors to both OnForce and the buyers that use the system. OnForce does not manage individual service pros or service engagements. Because OnForce is not a service company, service pros also need to understand that they are not to represent themselves as employees. This includes unemployment agencies or other government organizations. Service pros are independent business people and not eligible for unemployment benefits if they stop receiving work orders for any reason.

Pricing is determined by a combination of what buyers are willing to pay and what service pros are willing to accept. OnForce does not set pricing (although there are tools to help both sides of the community evaluate the market price for work orders - through Find a Pro or Research Market Pricing) or work order terms.Service pros should remember that if there are conditions to which they do not agree, they should use the offer feature or ask clarifying questions. Agreeing to a work order as specified is a legally binding agreement with that buyer.

No Harm
Users agree not to do anything to harm the OnForce marketplace - by deploying technological agents (through the use of Trojan Horses, viruses, DoS attacks, etc) or copying and monitoring the site without OnForce permission.

No Theft
OnForce is not a recruiting site for buyers or an employment agency for service pros. Buyers agree to never directly recruit service pros for work outside of the platform (for full-time or contract work) and service pros agree not to solicit or perform work outside of the platform for buyers or end users with whom they have come into contact through OnForce. Service pros can not leave business cards or other information about their business (or themselves) with end users or buyers. OnForce has spent a great deal of time, effort and money building the marketplace, which has included the recruiting of both buyers and service pros to the community. Any member of the platform that solicits or recruits another member outside of OnForce will face disciplinary action, including removal or appropriate legal action.

Violation of this principle is generally referred to as circumvention.

Don't Break Laws
No member of the community should ever violate or ask others to violate any federal, state or local laws in work conducted through OnForce. It is the responsibility of all parties to understand the regulations for their jurisdiction (including tax laws).

Service pros especially must understand tax laws as all work order spend limits are inclusive of taxes. During work order closure, service pros will have the opportunity to indicate the amounts they are withholding for service and sales tax (if applicable).

Acknowledge OnForce's Rights
The information that both buyers and service pros enter into the system remains the property of the user that entered it. OnForce, however, has the right to use information that is not user-identifying for analysis, product development, marketing and research. Although OnForce has access to a great deal of data, we take the responsibility seriously and do not use the information provided for purposes other than those outlined above (unless we ask for specific permission).

Be Eligible
All users must meet minimum eligibility requirements to participate in the platform. Service pros must be at least 21 years of age and have at least 2 years of relevant technology experience.

Agree to Updates
OnForce may update the guiding principles and other policies periodically. All users will be notified when the changes are made and are subject to the new policies. Any use of the platform is considered agreement to all principles, policies and terms.

Exercise Judgment
While OnForce makes every effort to verify users' identities, there are no guarantees. All users should use best efforts to evaluate the information provided and make decisions based on what they see. Service pros are encouraged to get background checks and add third party certifications to give buyers additional identity and skill information.

Communicate Responsibly
OnForce is a marketplace of professionals and all communications (work orders, notes, phone calls, service events, etc.) should represent the highest levels of that professionalism. When required in a work order, service pros must provide updates to the buyer or end user as specified (often through sub-status updates or setting appointments). No buyer or service pro should ever threaten or insult a member of the community in any communication.

Service pros must also maintain professional courtesy in the forums and remember that they are still subject to the OnForce policies and any confidentiality agreements. Discussions between service pros may get heated, but should never be personal or destructive.

Follow Through
All buyers and service pros are expected to complete all activities to which they agree. If a service pro accepts a work order, all terms must be fulfilled. When a service pro does complete all terms, that buyer is committed to rapid payment. The power of OnForce is only as strong as the belief that each side of the community has that the other will do what they've committed to.

Other important elements of follow through include communicating according to agreed-upon schedules; arriving at appointments on time and dressed appropriately; accepting only work orders that service pros are fully capable of completing; and many, many other activities.

Play Fair
The principle itself says it best:

At its core, OnForce is a community of people and a shared marketplace and we ask all users of the system to treat people and the marketplace with respect and maintain reasonable expectations.