Independent Contractor Agreement

United States

This Agreement (“Agreement”) is made and entered into by and between you, the undersigned contractor (“CONTRACTOR”), an independent contractor engaged in the business of performing the services envisioned by this Agreement, and The CoBuilders LLC. (“COBUILDERS” or “COMPANY”). CONTRACTOR may enter this Agreement either as an individual or as a corporate entity. This Agreement becomes effective on the date it is accepted regardless of whether you are eligible to, or ever do, perform any Contracted Services.

IMPORTANT: PLEASE REVIEW THIS AGREEMENT CAREFULLY. IN PARTICULAR, PLEASE REVIEW THE MUTUAL ARBITRATION PROVISION IN SECTION XI, AS IT REQUIRES THE PARTIES (UNLESS YOU VALIDLY OPT-OUT OF ARBITRATION, AS PROVIDED BELOW) TO RESOLVE DISPUTES ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, THROUGH FINAL AND BINDING ARBITRATION. BY ACCEPTING THIS AGREEMENT, YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU HAVE READ AND UNDERSTOOD ALL OF THE TERMS, INCLUDING SECTION XI, AND HAVE TAKEN THE TIME AND SOUGHT ANY ASSISTANCE NEEDED TO COMPREHEND THE CONSEQUENCES OF ACCEPTING THIS AGREEMENT.

RECITALS

COBUILDERS is a company that provides an online marketplace platform using web-based technology that connects contractors, renters, homeowners and/or other businesses, and consumers (“COBUILDERS platform” or “platform”). COBUILDERS’s software permits registered users to place orders for house cleaning services. Once such orders are made, COBUILDERS software notifies contractors that a cleaning request opportunity is available and the COBUILDERS software facilitates completion of the delivery. COBUILDERS is not a cleaning agency or cleaning supplies production business.

CONTRACTOR is an independent provider of cleaning services authorized to conduct the services contemplated by this Agreement in the geographic location(s) in which CONTRACTOR operates. CONTRACTOR possesses all equipment and personnel necessary to perform the delivery of the services contemplated by this Agreement in accordance with applicable laws. CONTRACTOR desires to enter into this Agreement for the right to receive cleaning request opportunities made available through COBUILDERS'S platform. CONTRACTOR understands and expressly agrees that they are not an employee of COBUILDERS or any homeowner, renter, other business, or consumer and that they are providing house cleaning and other services on behalf of themself and their business, not on behalf of COBUILDERS.

CONTRACTOR understands (i) they are free to select those times they wish to be available on the platform to receive house cleaning opportunities; (ii) they are free to accept or reject the opportunities transmitted through the COBUILDERS platform by consumers, and can make such decisions to maximize their opportunity to profit; and (iii) they have the sole right to control the manner in which house cleaning services are performed and the means by which those services are completed.

In consideration of the above, as well as the mutual promises described herein, COBUILDERS and CONTRACTOR (collectively “the parties”) agree as follows:

I. PURPOSE OF THE AGREEMENT

This Agreement governs the relationship between COBUILDERS and CONTRACTOR, and establishes the parties’ respective rights and obligations. In exchange for the promises contained in this Agreement, CONTRACTOR shall have the right and obligation to perform the “Contracted Services” as defined herein. However, nothing in this Agreement requires CONTRACTOR to perform any particular volume of Contracted Services during the term of this Agreement, and nothing in this Agreement shall guarantee CONTRACTOR any particular volume of business for any particular time period.
CONTRACTOR shall have no obligation to accept or perform any particular “House Cleaning Opportunity” (as that term is defined herein) offered by COBUILDERS. However, once a Cleaning Opportunity is accepted, CONTRACTOR shall be contractually bound to complete the Contracted Services in accordance with all consumer specifications and the terms laid out in this Agreement.

II. CONTRACTOR'S OPERATIONS

CONTRACTOR represents that they operate an independently established enterprise that provides house cleaning and other services, and that they satisfy all legal requirements and have all necessary licenses and permits necessary to perform any services contemplated by this Agreement. As an independent contractor/enterprise, CONTRACTOR shall be solely responsible for determining how to operate their business and how to perform the Contracted Services.
CONTRACTOR agrees to fully perform the Contracted Services in a timely, efficient, safe, and lawful manner. COBUILDERS shall have no right to, and shall not, control the manner, method, or means CONTRACTOR uses to perform the Contracted Services. Instead, the CONTRACTOR shall be solely responsible for determining the most effective, efficient, and safe manner to perform the Contracted Services, including determining the manner of arrival, cleaning, and supply selection.
As an independent business enterprise, CONTRACTOR retains the right to perform services (whether cleaning services or other services) for others and to hold themself out to the general public as a separately established business. The parties recognize that they are or may be engaged in similar arrangements with others and nothing in this Agreement shall prevent CONTRACTOR or COBUILDERS from doing business with others. COBUILDERS does not have the right to restrict CONTRACTOR from performing services for CONTRACTOR’s own business, other businesses, customers, or consumers at any time, even if such business directly competes with COBUILDERS, and even during the time CONTRACTOR is logged into the COBUILDERS platform. CONTRACTOR’s right to compete with COBUILDERS, or perform services for businesses that compete with COBUILDERS, will survive even after termination of this Agreement.
CONTRACTOR is not required to purchase, lease, or rent any products, equipment, or services from COBUILDERS as a condition of doing business with COBUILDERS or entering into this Agreement.
CONTRACTOR agrees to immediately notify COBUILDERS in writing at www.thecobuilders.com/help/ if CONTRACTOR's right to control the manner or method they use to perform services differs from the terms contemplated in this Section.

III. CONTRACTED SERVICES

From time to time, the COBUILDERS platform will notify CONTRACTOR of the opportunity to complete house cleaning services from homeowners, renters, or other businesses to consumers in accordance with orders placed by consumers through the COBUILDERS platform or directly from businesses (each of these is referred to as a "Cleaning Service Opportunity"). For each Cleaning Service Opportunity accepted by CONTRACTOR ("Contracted Service"), CONTRACTOR agrees to go to the location and perform the cleaning service requests on time and safely, ensure the cleaning requests is accurately specified according to the consumer, homeowner, renter, and/or business specifications, and complete cleaning requests to consumers in a safe and timely fashion. CONTRACTOR understands and agrees that the parameters of each Contracted Service are established by the consumer, homeowner, renter, and/or other business, not COBUILDERS, and represent the end result desired, not the means by which CONTRACTOR is to accomplish the result. CONTRACTOR has the right to cancel, from time to time, a Contracted Service when, in the exercise of CONTRACTOR's reasonable discretion and business judgment, it is appropriate to do so. Notwithstanding the foregoing, CONTRACTOR agrees to maintain both a customer rating and a completion rate found here as of the date this Agreement becomes effective. Failure to satisfy this obligation constitutes a material breach of this Agreement, and COBUILDERS shall have the right to terminate this Agreement and/or deactivate CONTRACTOR'S account.
CONTRACTOR acknowledges that COBUILDERS has discretion as to which, if any, Cleaning Request Opportunity to offer, just as CONTRACTOR has the discretion whether and to what extent to accept any Cleaning Opportunity.
CONTRACTOR acknowledges that CONTRACTOR is engaged in CONTRACTOR’s own business, separate and apart from COBUILDERS’S business, which is to provide an online marketplace platform using web-based technology that connects contractors, renters, homeowners and/or other businesses, and consumers.
CONTRACTOR authorizes COBUILDERS, during the course of a Contracted Service, to communicate with CONTRACTOR, consumer, and/or homeowner, renter or other business to assist CONTRACTOR, or facilitate direct communication between CONTRACTOR and the consumer, homeowner, renter, and/or business, to the extent permitted by CONTRACTOR, in facilitating cleaning requests. However, under no circumstances shall COBUILDERS be authorized to control the manner or means by which CONTRACTOR performs cleaning services or other services contemplated under this agreement. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:
COBUILDERS does not require any specific type, or quality, of CONTRACTOR’s choice of transportation.
COBUILDERS does not require any specific type, or quality, of CONTRACTOR’s choice of cleaning supplies.
CONTRACTOR does not have a supervisor or any individual at COBUILDERS to whom they report.
CONTRACTOR is not required to use any signage or other designation of COBUILDERS on their vehicle or person at any point in their use of the platform to perform the Contracted Services.
COBUILDERS has no control over CONTRACTOR’s personal appearance.
CONTRACTOR does not receive regular performance evaluations by COBUILDERS.
CONTRACTOR may use whatever payment method they choose to purchase items to be used in providing cleaning services to consumers, including, but not limited to CONTRACTOR's personal credit or debit card, cash or a prepaid card. CONTRACTOR may use, for CONTRACTOR's convenience, the prepaid card solely for purchasing items to be used in the delivery of services to consumers. If CONTRACTOR chooses to use their personal credit or debit card or cash, CONTRACTOR shall invoice COBUILDERS on a weekly basis and COBUILDERS agrees to pay all invoices within 10 days of receipt.
In the event CONTRACTOR fails to fully perform any Contracted Service (a "Service Failure") due to CONTRACTOR's action or omission, CONTRACTOR shall forfeit all or part of the agreed-upon fee for that service. If CONTRACTOR disputes responsibility for a Service Failure, the dispute shall be resolved pursuant to the "Payment Disputes" provision below.
CONTRACTOR agrees to immediately notify COBUILDERS in writing by submitting a Support inquiry through https://help.THECOBUILDERS.com/ if CONTRACTOR's services or scope of work differ in any way from what is contemplated in this Section.

IV. RELATIONSHIP OF PARTIES

The parties acknowledge and agree that this Agreement is between two co-equal, independent business enterprises that are separately owned and operated. The parties intend this Agreement to create the relationship of principal and independent contractor and not that of employer and employee. The parties are not employees, agents, joint venturers, or partners of each other for any purpose. Neither party shall have the right to bind the other by contract or otherwise except as specifically provided in this Agreement.
COBUILDERS shall not have the right to, and shall not, control the manner or the method of accomplishing Contracted Services to be performed by CONTRACTOR. The parties acknowledge and agree that those provisions of the Agreement reserving ultimate authority in COBUILDERS have been inserted solely for the safety of consumers and other CONTRACTORS using the COBUILDERS platform or to achieve compliance with federal, state, or local laws, regulations, and interpretations thereof.
COBUILDERS shall report all payments made to CONTRACTOR on a calendar year basis using an appropriate IRS Form 1099 if the volume of payments to CONTRACTOR qualify. CONTRACTOR agrees to report all such payments and any cash gratuities to the appropriate federal, state, and local taxing authorities.

V. PAYMENT FOR SERVICES

Unless notified otherwise by COBUILDERS in writing or except as provided herein, CONTRACTOR will receive payment per accurate Contracted Service completed in an amount consistent with the publicly provided pay model, which CONTRACTOR can view here. From time to time, COBUILDERS may offer opportunities for CONTRACTOR to earn more money for performing Contracted Services at specified times or in specified locations. Nothing prevents the parties from negotiating a different rate of pay, and CONTRACTOR is free to accept or deny any such opportunities to earn different rates of pay.
COBUILDERS’s online credit card software may permit consumers to add a gratuity to be paid to CONTRACTOR, and consumers can also pay a gratuity to CONTRACTOR in cash. CONTRACTOR shall retain 100% of any gratuity paid by the consumer, whether by cash or credit card. COBUILDERS acknowledges it has no right to interfere with the amount of gratuity given by the consumer to the CONTRACTOR.
COBUILDERS will process payments made by consumers and transmit to CONTRACTOR. Payments for all deliveries completed in a given week will be transferred via direct deposit on no less than a weekly basis unless it notifies CONTRACTOR otherwise in writing.
Notwithstanding the terms of Section V(1) – (3), fulfillment orders placed directly with renters, homeowners, or other businesses rather than through the App or THECOBUILDERS.COM (“Fulfillment Orders”) may be subject to a different payment model. Nothing prevents the parties from negotiating a different rate of pay for a Fulfillment Order, and the CONTRACTOR is free to accept or reject Fulfillment Order opportunities. As with all Cleaning Request Opportunities, CONTRACTOR shall retain 100% of any gratuity paid by the consumer for a Fulfillment Order. COBUILDERS's software may not always include an option to add gratuity for Fulfillment Orders; however, consumers can pay a gratuity to CONTRACTOR in cash.
From time to time, COBUILDERS may offer various CoBuilder promotions or referral programs. CONTRACTOR agrees that they will not manipulate or abuse the referral programs or CoBuilders promotions by, among other things: (a) tampering with the location feature on their mobile phone; (b) collecting incentive or promotional pay when not eligible to receive such pay under relevant policies; or, (c) creating multiple CoBuilders or consumer accounts. CONTRACTOR understands that engaging in this type of manipulation or abuse constitutes a material breach of this Agreement and may lead to deactivation of their account.

VI. PAYMENT DISPUTES

CONTRACTOR's Failure: In the event, there is a Service Failure, CONTRACTOR shall not be entitled to payment as described above (as determined in COBUILDERS’s reasonable discretion). Any withholding of payment shall be based upon proof provided by the consumer, homeowner, renter or other business, CONTRACTOR, and any other party with information relevant to the dispute. COBUILDERS shall make the initial determination as to whether a Service Failure was the result of CONTRACTOR's action/omission. CONTRACTOR shall have the right to challenge COBUILDERS’s determination through any legal means contemplated by this Agreement; however, CONTRACTOR shall notify COBUILDERS in writing at www.THECOBUILDERS.com/help/ of the challenge and provide COBUILDERS the opportunity to resolve the dispute. CONTRACTOR should include any documents or other information in support of their challenge.
COBUILDERS’s Failure: In the event COBUILDERS fails to remit payment in a timely or accurate manner, CONTRACTOR shall have the right to seek proper payment by any legal means contemplated by this Agreement and, should CONTRACTOR prevail, shall be entitled to recover reasonable costs incurred in pursuing proper payment, provided, however, CONTRACTOR shall first inform COBUILDERS in writing at www.THECOBUILDERS.com/help/ of the failure and provide a reasonable opportunity to cure it.

VII. EQUIPMENT AND EXPENSES

CONTRACTOR represents that they have or can lawfully acquire all equipment, including cleaning equipment, PPE, and cleaning supplies ("Equipment") necessary for performing Contracted Services, and CONTRACTOR is solely responsible for ensuring that the equipment and supplies used conforms to all local and international laws pertaining to safety, equipment, inspection, and operational capability.
CONTRACTOR agrees that they are responsible for all costs and expenses arising from CONTRACTOR's performance of Contracted Services, including, but not limited to, costs related to CONTRACTOR's Personnel (defined below) and Equipment. Except as otherwise required by law, CONTRACTOR assumes all risk of damage or loss to their Equipment.

VIII. PERSONNEL

In order to perform any Contracted Services, CONTRACTOR must, for the safety of consumers on the COBUILDERS platform, pass a background check administered by a third-party vendor, subject to CONTRACTOR's lawful consent. CONTRACTOR is not required to perform any Contracted Services personally, but may, to the extent permitted by law and subject to the terms of this Agreement, hire or engage others (as employees or subcontractors of CONTRACTOR) to perform all or some of the Contracted Services, provided any such employees or subcontractors meet all the requirements applicable to CONTRACTOR including, but not limited to, accepting the terms of this Agreement, separately completing the process to receive Delivery Opportunities, and being eligible to provide the Contracted Services in the geographic location. To the extent CONTRACTOR furnishes their own employees or subcontractors (collectively "Personnel"), CONTRACTOR shall be solely responsible for the direction and control of the Personnel it uses to perform all Contracted Services.
CONTRACTOR assumes full and sole responsibility for the payment of all amounts due to their Personnel for work performed in relation to this Agreement, including all wages, benefits and expenses, if any, and for all required state and federal income tax withholdings, unemployment insurance contributions, and social security taxes as to CONTRACTOR and all Personnel employed by CONTRACTOR in the performance of Contracted Services under this Agreement. COBUILDERS shall have no responsibility for any wages, benefits, expenses, or other payments due CONTRACTOR's Personnel, nor for income tax withholding, social security, unemployment insurance contributions, or other payroll taxes relating to CONTRACTOR or their Personnel. Neither CONTRACTOR nor their Personnel shall receive any wages, including vacation pay or holiday pay, from COBUILDERS, nor shall they participate in or receive any other benefits, if any, available to COBUILDERS's employees.
Unless mandated by law, COBUILDERS shall have no authority to withhold state or federal income taxes, social security taxes, unemployment insurance taxes/contributions, or any other local, state or federal tax on behalf of CONTRACTOR or their Personnel.
CONTRACTOR and their Personnel shall not be required to wear a uniform or other clothing of any type bearing COBUILDERS's name or logo.
If CONTRACTOR uses the services of any Personnel to perform the Contracted Services, CONTRACTOR's Personnel must satisfy and comply with all of the terms of this Agreement, which CONTRACTOR must make enforceable by written agreement between CONTRACTOR and such Personnel. A copy of such written agreement must be provided to COBUILDERS at least 7 days in advance of such Personnel performing the Contracted Services, and CONTRACTOR must notify COBUILDERS when their Personnel will be performing Contracted Services. The parties acknowledge that the sole purpose of this requirement is to ensure CONTRACTOR's compliance with the terms of this Agreement.

IX. INSURANCE

CONTRACTOR agrees, as a condition of doing business with COBUILDERS, that during the term of this Agreement, CONTRACTOR will maintain current insurance, in amounts and of types required by law to provide the Contracted Services, at their own expense. CONTRACTOR acknowledges that failure to secure or maintain satisfactory insurance coverage shall be deemed a material breach of this Agreement and shall result in the termination of the Agreement and the loss of CONTRACTOR's right to receive Cleaning Request Opportunities.
NOTIFICATION OF COVERAGE: CONTRACTOR agrees to deliver to COBUILDERS, upon request, current certificates of insurance as proof of coverage. CONTRACTOR agrees to provide updated certificates each time CONTRACTOR purchases, renews, or alters CONTRACTOR's insurance coverage. CONTRACTOR agrees to give COBUILDERS at least thirty (30) days' prior written notice before cancellation of any insurance policy required by this Agreement.
WORKERS' COMPENSATION/OCCUPATIONAL ACCIDENT INSURANCE: CONTRACTOR agrees that CONTRACTOR will maintain sufficient insurance to cover any risks or claims arising out of or related to CONTRACTOR’S relationship with COBUILDERS, including workers’ compensation insurance where required by law. CONTRACTOR acknowledges and understands that CONTRACTOR will not be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits through COBUILDERS and is instead responsible for maintaining CONTRACTOR’S own workers’ compensation insurance or occupational accident insurance. CONTRACTOR’S maintenance of CONTRACTOR’S own workers’ compensation insurance or occupational accident insurance will not disqualify CONTRACTOR from participating in the Occupational Accident Insurance Policy for Dashers, which COBUILDERS may make available to CONTRACTOR.

X. INDEMNITY

COBUILDERS agrees to indemnify, protect and hold harmless CONTRACTOR from any and all claims, demands, damages, suits, losses, liabilities and causes of action arising directly from COBUILDERS's actions offering and facilitating the Contracted Services to CONTRACTOR.
CONTRACTOR agrees to indemnify, protect and hold harmless COBUILDERS, including all parent, subsidiary and/or affiliated companies, as well as its and their past and present successors, assigns, officers, owners, directors, agents, representatives, attorneys, and employees, from any and all claims, demands, damages, suits, losses, liabilities and causes of action arising directly or indirectly from, as a result of or in connection with, the actions of CONTRACTOR and/or their Personnel arising from the performance of cleaning services under this Agreement, including personal injury or death to any person (including to CONTRACTOR and/or their Personnel), as well as any liability arising from CONTRACTOR's failure to comply with the terms of this Agreement. CONTRACTOR's obligations hereunder shall include the cost of defense, including attorneys' fees, as well as the payment of any final judgment rendered against or settlement agreed upon by COBUILDERS or its parent, subsidiary and/or affiliated companies.
CONTRACTOR agrees to indemnify, protect and hold harmless COBUILDERS, including all parent, subsidiary, and/or affiliated companies, as well as its and their past and present successors, assigns, officers, owners, directors, agents, representatives, attorneys, and employees, from any and all tax liabilities and responsibilities for payment of all federal, state and local taxes, including, but not limited to all payroll taxes, self-employment taxes, workers compensation premiums, and any contributions imposed or required under federal, state and local laws, with respect to CONTRACTOR and CONTRACTOR's Personnel.
CONTRACTOR shall be responsible for, indemnify and hold harmless COBUILDERS, including all parent, subsidiary, and/or affiliated companies, as well as its and their past and present successors, assigns, officers, owners, directors, agents, representatives, attorneys, and employees, from all costs of CONTRACTOR's business, including, but not limited to, the expense and responsibility for any and all applicable insurance, local, state or federal licenses, permits, taxes, and assessments of any and all regulatory agencies, boards or municipalities.

XI. MUTUAL ARBITRATION PROVISION

CONTRACTOR and COBUILDERS mutually agree to this Mutual Arbitration Provision, which is governed by the Federal Arbitration Act (9 U.S.C. §§ 1-16) (“FAA”) and shall apply to any and all disputes arising out of or relating to this Agreement, CONTRACTOR’s classification as an independent contractor, CONTRACTOR’s provision of Contracted Services to homeowners, renters, or other businesses, the payments received by CONTRACTOR for providing services to homeowners, renters, or other businesses, the termination of this Agreement, and all other aspects of CONTRACTOR's relationship with COBUILDERS, past, present or future, whether arising under federal, state or local statutory and/or common law, including without limitation harassment, discrimination or retaliation claims and claims arising under or related to the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (or its state or local equivalents), Americans With Disabilities Act (or its state or local equivalents), Age Discrimination in Employment Act (or its state or local equivalents), Family Medical Leave Act (or its state or local equivalents), Federal Credit Reporting Act (or its state or local equivalents), Telephone Consumer Protection Act (or its state or local equivalents), or Fair Labor Standards Act (or its state or local equivalents), state and local wage and hour laws, state and local statutes or regulations addressing the same or similar subject matters, and all other federal, state or local claims arising out of or relating to CONTRACTOR’s relationship or the termination of that relationship with COBUILDERS. The parties expressly agree that this Agreement shall be governed by the FAA even in the event CONTRACTOR and/or COBUILDERS are otherwise exempted from the FAA. Any disputes in this regard shall be resolved exclusively by an arbitrator. If for any reason the FAA does not apply, the state law governing arbitration agreements in the state in which the CONTRACTOR operates shall apply.
CONTRACTOR and COBUILDERS agree that good-faith informal efforts to resolve disputes often can result in a prompt, low-cost, and mutually beneficial outcome. CONTRACTOR and COBUILDERS, therefore, agree that, before either CONTRACTOR or COBUILDERS demands arbitration against the other, we will personally meet and confer, via telephone or videoconference, in a good-faith effort to resolve informally any claim covered by this mutual Arbitration Agreement. If CONTRACTOR is represented by counsel, CONTRACTOR’s counsel may participate in the conference, but CONTRACTOR shall also fully participate in the conference. The party initiating the claim must give notice to the other party in writing of their intent to initiate an informal dispute resolution conference, which shall occur within 60 days after the other party receives such notice, unless an extension is mutually agreed upon by the parties. To notify COBUILDERS that CONTRACTOR intends to initiate an informal dispute resolution conference, email INFO@THECOBUILDERS.COM, providing CONTRACTOR’s name, the telephone number associated with CONTRACTOR’s CoBuilders account (if any), the email address associated with CONTRACTOR’s CoBuilders account, and a description of CONTRACTOR’s claim. In the interval between the party receiving such notice and the informal dispute resolution conference, the parties shall be free to attempt to resolve the initiating party’s claims. Engaging in an informal dispute resolution conference is a requirement that must be fulfilled before commencing arbitration. The statute of limitations and any filing fee deadlines shall be tolled while the parties engage in the informal dispute resolution process required by this paragraph.
If following the informal resolution process, either CONTRACTOR or COBUILDERS wishes to initiate arbitration, the initiating party must notify the other party in writing via certified mail, return receipt requested, or hand delivery within the applicable statute of limitations period. This demand for arbitration must include (1) the name and address of the party seeking arbitration, (2) a statement of the legal and factual basis of the claim, and (3) a description of the remedy sought, and (4) the amount in controversy. Any demand for arbitration by CONTRACTOR must be delivered to the counsel who represented COBUILDERS in the informal resolution process.
Arbitration Class Action Waiver. CONTRACTOR and COBUILDERS mutually agree that by entering into this agreement to arbitrate, both waive their right to have any dispute or claim brought, heard or arbitrated as, or to participate in, a class action, collective action, and/or representative action—including but not limited to actions brought pursuant to the Private Attorney General Act (“PAGA”), California Labor Code section 2699 et seq., and any request seeking a public injunction—and an arbitrator shall not have any authority to hear or arbitrate any class, collective or representative action, or to award relief to anyone but the individual in arbitration (“Arbitration Class Action Waiver”). Notwithstanding any other clause contained in this Agreement or the CPR Rules, as defined below, any claim that all or part of this Arbitration Class Action Waiver is unenforceable, unconscionable, void or voidable may be determined only by a court of competent jurisdiction and not by an arbitrator. In any case in which (1) the dispute is filed as a class, collective, or representative action and (2) there is a final judicial determination that all or part of the Arbitration Class Action Waiver is unenforceable, the class, collective and/or representative action to that extent must be litigated in a civil court of competent jurisdiction, but the portion of the Arbitration Class Action Waiver that is enforceable shall be enforced in arbitration. All other disputes with respect to whether this Mutual Arbitration Provision is unenforceable, unconscionable, applicable, valid, void or voidable, and all disputes regarding the payment of arbitrator or arbitration-organization fees including the timing of such payments and remedies for nonpayment, shall be determined exclusively by an arbitrator, and not by any court. For sake of clarification only, nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to prohibit settlements on a class-wide, collective, and/or representative basis.
CONTRACTOR agrees and acknowledges that entering into this Mutual Arbitration Provision does not change CONTRACTOR’s status as an independent contractor in fact and in law, that CONTRACTOR is not an employee of COBUILDERS or its customers and that any disputes in this regard shall be subject to arbitration as provided in this agreement.
Any arbitration shall be governed by the CPR Administered Arbitration Rules and, when applicable, the CPR Employment-Related Mass-Claims Protocol (together, the “CPR Rules”) of the International Institute for Conflict Prevention & Resolution, except as follows:
- The arbitration shall be heard by one arbitrator (the “Arbitrator”) selected in accordance with the CPR Rules. The Arbitrator shall be an attorney with experience in the law underlying the dispute.
- If the parties cannot otherwise agree on a location for the arbitration, the arbitration shall take place within 45 miles of CONTRACTOR’s residence as of the effective date of this Agreement.
- The CPR fee schedule will apply with the following exceptions. Unless applicable law provides otherwise, in the event that COBUILDERS and CONTRACTOR have agreed to this Mutual Arbitration Provision, COBUILDERS and CONTRACTOR shall equally share filing fees and other similar and usual administrative costs, as are common to both court and administrative proceedings, but CONTRACTOR’s share of such fees and costs will not exceed the filing fee to file the case in a court of competent jurisdiction embracing the location of the arbitration. COBUILDERS shall pay any costs uniquely associated with arbitration, such as payment of the fees of the Arbitrator, as well as room rental.
- The Arbitrator may issue orders (including subpoenas to third parties) allowing the parties to conduct discovery sufficient to allow each party to prepare that party's claims and/or defenses, taking into consideration that arbitration is designed to be a speedy and efficient method for resolving disputes.
- Except as provided in the Arbitration Class Action Waiver, the Arbitrator may award all remedies to which a party is entitled under applicable law and which would otherwise be available in a court of law, but shall not be empowered to award any remedies that would not have been available in a court of law for the claims presented in arbitration. The Arbitrator shall apply the state or federal substantive law, or both, as is applicable.
- The Arbitrator may hear motions to dismiss and/or motions for summary judgment and will apply the standards of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure governing such motions.
- The Arbitrator's decision or award shall be in writing with findings of fact and conclusions of law.
- The Arbitrator may issue orders to protect the confidentiality of proprietary information, trade secrets, or other sensitive information. Subject to the discretion of the Arbitrator or agreement of the parties, any person having a direct interest in the arbitration may attend the arbitration hearing. The Arbitrator may exclude any non-party from any part of the hearing.
- Either CONTRACTOR or COBUILDERS may apply to a court of competent jurisdiction for temporary or preliminary injunctive relief on the ground that without such relief the arbitration provided in this paragraph may be rendered ineffectual.
Nothing in this Mutual Arbitration Provision prevents you from making a report to or filing a claim or charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, National Labor Relations Board, or Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs. Nothing in this Mutual Arbitration Provision prevents the investigation by a government agency of any report, claim or charge otherwise covered by this Mutual Arbitration Provision. This Mutual Arbitration Provision also does not prevent federal administrative agencies from adjudicating claims and awarding remedies based on those claims, even if the claims would otherwise be covered by this Mutual Arbitration Provision. Nothing in this Mutual Arbitration Provision prevents or excuses a party from satisfying any conditions precedent and/or exhausting administrative remedies under applicable law before bringing a claim in arbitration. COBUILDERS will not retaliate against CONTRACTOR for filing a claim with an administrative agency or for exercising rights (individually or in concert with others) under Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act. Disputes between the parties that may not be subject to predispute arbitration agreement, including as provided by an Act of Congress or lawful, enforceable Executive Order, are excluded from the coverage of this Mutual Arbitration Provision.
The CPR Rules may be found at www.cpradr.org or by searching for “CPR Administered Arbitration Rules” and “CPR Employment-Related Mass-Claims Protocol” using a service such as www.google.com or www.bing.com or by asking COBUILDERS’s General Counsel to provide a copy.
CONTRACTOR’s Right to Opt-Out of Mutual Arbitration Provision. Arbitration is not a mandatory condition of CONTRACTOR’s contractual relationship with COBUILDERS, and therefore CONTRACTOR may submit a statement notifying COBUILDERS that CONTRACTOR wishes to opt out and not be subject to this MUTUAL ARBITRATION PROVISION. In order to opt out, CONTRACTOR must notify COBUILDERS in writing of CONTRACTOR's intention to opt out by sending a letter, by email, to info@thecobuilders.com. The letter must state CONTRACTOR's intention to opt out. In order to be effective, CONTRACTOR's opt out letter must be postmarked within 30 days of the effective date of this Agreement. The letter must be signed by CONTRACTOR themself, and not by any agent or representative of CONTRACTOR. The letter may opt out, at most, only one CONTRACTOR, and letters that purport to opt out multiple CONTRACTORS will not be effective as to any. No CONTRACTOR (or their agent or representative) may effectuate an opt out on behalf of other CONTRACTORS. If, at the time of CONTRACTOR’s receipt of this Agreement, CONTRACTOR was bound by an existing arbitration agreement with COBUILDERS, that arbitration agreement will continue to apply to any pending litigation, even if CONTRACTOR opts out of this Arbitration Agreement. If CONTRACTOR opts out as provided in this paragraph, CONTRACTOR will not be subject to any adverse action from COBUILDERS as a consequence of that decision and they may pursue available legal remedies without regard to this Mutual Arbitration Provision. If CONTRACTOR does not opt out within 30 days of the effective date of this Agreement, CONTRACTOR and COBUILDERS shall be deemed to have agreed to this Mutual Arbitration Provision. CONTRACTOR has the right to consult with counsel of CONTRACTOR's choice concerning this Mutual Arbitration Provision (or any other provision of this Agreement).
Except as specified in the prior paragraph, this Mutual Arbitration Provision supersedes any and all prior arbitration agreements between CONTRACTOR and COBUILDERS and is the full and complete agreement relating to the formal resolution of disputes covered by this Mutual Arbitration Provision. In the event any portion of this Mutual Arbitration Provision is deemed unenforceable, the remainder of this Mutual Arbitration Provision will be enforceable. The award issued by the Arbitrator may be entered in any court of competent jurisdiction.

XII. LITIGATION CLASS ACTION WAIVER

To the extent allowed by applicable law, separate and apart from the Mutual Arbitration Provision found in Section XI, CONTRACTOR agrees that any proceeding to litigate in court any dispute arising out of or relating to this Agreement, whether because CONTRACTOR opted out of the Mutual Arbitration Provision or any other reason, will be conducted solely on an individual basis, and CONTRACTOR agrees not to seek to have any controversy, claim or dispute heard as a class action, a representative action, a collective action, a private attorney-general action, or in any proceeding in which CONTRACTOR acts or proposes to act in a representative capacity (“Litigation Class Action Waiver”). CONTRACTOR further agrees that no proceeding will be joined, consolidated, or combined with another proceeding, without the prior written consent of all parties to any such proceeding. If a court of competent jurisdiction determines that all or part of this Litigation Class Action Waiver is unenforceable, unconscionable, void or voidable, the remainder of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

XIII. PROPRIETARY RIGHTS AND LICENSES

All copyright, database rights, trademarks (whether registered or unregistered), design rights (whether registered or unregistered), patent applications, patents, and other intellectual property rights of any nature in the COBUILDERS platform together with the underlying software code and any and all rights in, or derived from the COBUILDERS platform are proprietary and owned either directly by COBUILDERS or by COBUILDERS’s licensors and are protected by applicable intellectual property and other laws. CONTRACTOR agrees that they will not use such proprietary information, materials, or intellectual property rights in any way whatsoever except for by use of the COBUILDERS platform to perform the Contracted Service in compliance with the terms of this Agreement. No portion of the COBUILDERS platform may be reproduced in any form or by any means, except as expressly permitted in the terms of this Agreement. CONTRACTOR agrees not to modify, rent, lease, loan, sell, distribute, or create derivative works based on the COBUILDERS platform or any intellectual property rights therein in any manner, and CONTRACTOR shall not exploit the COBUILDERS platform or any intellectual property rights therein in any unauthorized way whatsoever.
COBUILDERS hereby grants CONTRACTOR a non-exclusive, non-transferable, non-sublicensable, revocable license to use the COBUILDERS platform solely for their lawful use to perform the Contracted Services in accordance with these terms of this Agreement. COBUILDERS retains all rights, title, and interest in and to the COBUILDERS platform and its other intellectual property rights therein. Any such license shall terminate upon termination of this Agreement.
CONTRACTOR acknowledges and agrees that any questions, comments, suggestions, ideas, feedback or other information (“Submissions”) provided by CONTRACTOR to COBUILDERS regarding the COBUILDERS platform are provided freely and shall become the sole property of COBUILDERS. COBUILDERS shall own exclusive rights of such Submissions, including all intellectual property rights therein, and shall be entitled to the unrestricted use and dissemination of these Submissions for any purpose, commercial or otherwise, without acknowledgment or compensation to CONTRACTOR.

XIV. TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT

CONTRACTOR may terminate this Agreement upon seven (7) days written notice. COBUILDERS may terminate this Agreement and deactivate CONTRACTOR’S Dasher account only for the reasons set forth in the COBUILDERS Deactivation Policy, which CONTRACTOR expressly agrees to, or for a material breach of this Agreement. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement, COBUILDERS reserves the right to modify the Deactivation Policy if, in COBUILDERS’s good faith and reasonable discretion, it is necessary to do so for the safe and/or effective operation of the COBUILDERS platform. COBUILDERS shall provide notice of any such changes to CONTRACTOR via e-mail. Changes to the Deactivation Policy shall be effective and binding on the parties upon CONTRACTOR’s continued use of the COBUILDERS platform following COBUILDERS’s e-mail notice of such modifications. Nothing will prevent CONTRACTOR from attempting to negotiate an exemption from any modification to the Deactivation Policy.
CONTRACTOR’s and COBUILDERS’s obligations and rights arising under the Mutual Arbitration Provision of this Agreement shall survive termination of this Agreement. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement, the Deactivation Policy is subject to change; such changes shall be effective and binding on the parties upon COBUILDERS’S provision of notice to CONTRACTOR via e-mail.

XV. MODIFICATION

COBUILDERS may modify this Agreement at any time. When COBUILDERS makes material changes to this Agreement, it will post the revised Agreement on the COBUILDERS Platform and update the “Last Updated” date at the top of the Agreement. COBUILDERS will also provide CONTRACTOR with notice of any material changes before the date the revised Agreement becomes effective. If CONTRACTOR disagrees with the revised Agreement, CONTRACTOR may terminate the Agreement immediately as provided herein. If CONTRACTOR does not terminate the Agreement before the date the revised Agreement becomes effective, CONTRACTOR’s continued access to or use of the COBUILDERS platform will constitute acceptance of the revised Agreement. COBUILDERS may modify information on any website hyperlinked from this Agreement from time to time, and such modifications shall be effective upon posting. Continued use of the COBUILDERS platform after any such changes shall constitute CONTRACTOR’s consent to such changes.

XVI. ENTIRE AGREEMENT, TRANSFERABILITY, AND WAIVER

This Agreement shall constitute the entire agreement and understanding between the parties with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement and shall not be modified, altered, changed or amended in any respect, unless in writing and signed by both parties. Before accepting any modifications, alterations, changes or amendments, CONTRACTOR shall have the right to discuss any proposed changes with COBUILDERS and consider whether to continue their contractual relationship with COBUILDERS. This Agreement supersedes any prior contract between the parties. To the extent COBUILDERS’s consumer-facing Terms and Conditions Agreement (or updated consumer facing Terms and Conditions Agreement, if applicable) is inconsistent or conflicts with this Agreement, this Agreement controls. However, the decision to opt-out of the Mutual Arbitration Provision in this Agreement does not affect the enforceability of any arbitration agreement in the consumer-facing Terms and Conditions Agreement to which Contractor may be bound (and vice versa). This Agreement may not be assigned by either party without written consent of the other and shall be binding upon the parties hereto, including their heirs and successors, provided, however, that COBUILDERS may assign its rights and obligations under this Agreement to an affiliate of COBUILDERS or any successor(s) to its business and/or purchaser of substantially all of its stock or assets. References in this Agreement to COBUILDERS shall be deemed to include such successor(s).
The failure of COBUILDERS or CONTRACTOR in any instance to insist upon a strict performance of the terms of this Agreement or to exercise any option herein, shall not be construed as a waiver or relinquishment of such term or option and such term or option shall continue in full force and effect.

XVII. SMS Terms

The CoBuilders LLC, also known as 'The CoBuilders' offers the option to our customers to engage in conversations with cleaners to provide fast solutions. Message frequency varies. Message and data rates may apply. Text HELP to 214-233-5055 for help. Reply STOP to cancel. Carriers are not liable for any delays or undelivered messages. For further information please check out Consumer Privacy Policy

XVIII. MISCELLANEOUS

CAPTIONS: Captions appearing in this Agreement are for convenience only and do not in any way limit, amplify, modify, or otherwise affect the terms and provisions of this Agreement.
SEVERABILITY Clause: Except as specifically provided in Section XI, if any part of this Agreement is declared unlawful or unenforceable, the remainder of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.
GOVERNING LAW: Except for the Mutual Arbitration Provision above, which is governed by the Federal Arbitration Act, the choice of law for interpretation of this Agreement, and the right of the parties hereunder, as well as substantive interpretation of claims asserted pursuant to Section XI, shall be the rules of law of the state in which CONTRACTOR performs the majority of the services covered by this Agreement.
NOTICE AND OPPORTUNITY TO CURE: CONTRACTOR agrees to notify COBUILDERS in writing at https://www.THECOBUILDERS.com/help/ of any breach or perceived breach of this Agreement, of any claim arising out of or related to this Agreement, or of any claim that CONTRACTOR’s services or scope of work differ in any way from what is contemplated in this Agreement, including but not limited to the terms in Sections II (Contractor’s Operations) and III (Contracted Services), or if the relationship of the parties differs from the terms contemplated in Section IV (Relationship of Parties).
MAPS: As a CONTRACTOR, while using the COBUILDERS application CONTRACTOR may be able to use Google Maps in-app navigation services while performing Contracted Services. If CONTRACTOR does so, CONTRACTOR agree that Google may collect CONTRACTOR’s location data when the CoBuilders App is running in order to provide and improve Google’s services, that such data may also be shared with COBUILDERS in order to improve its operations, and that Google’s terms and privacy policy will apply to this usage. CONTRACTOR can also use any other navigation app outside the COBUILDERS Cleaning Requests App or none at all.