Last updated: August 18, 2026 · Effective: August 18, 2026
HoursForHours introduces neighbors who want to trade skills, hour for hour. These terms explain what we do, what we don't do, and the rules everyone agrees to by using the service.
HoursForHours ("HoursForHours," "we," "us," or "our") is a service operated by Rick Barrera, doing business as HoursForHours, a sole proprietor based in San Diego, California. You can reach us at hello@hoursforhours.com.
By creating an account, joining the waitlist, or otherwise using our website and services (together, the "Service"), you agree to these Terms of Service ("Terms"). If you don't agree, please don't use the Service.
HoursForHours is an online platform that lets neighbors post what they can offer and what they need, discover each other, communicate, and build a public reputation through ratings. The idea is simple: an hour of one person's time is treated as equal to an hour of anyone else's.
We are not an employer, staffing agency, contractor, broker, escrow service, payment processor for trades, insurer, or guarantor. We do not:
Every trade is an independent arrangement between the members involved. We are not a party to it, and we are not responsible for it.
You must be at least 18 years old and able to form a binding contract. By using the Service you confirm that you are. You also agree to give accurate information about yourself and to keep it current.
We're launching neighborhood by neighborhood in the San Diego area, so the Service may not be available everywhere yet.
To use most features you'll create an account, which you can do with an email and password or by signing in through Google or Microsoft. You're responsible for what happens under your account, so keep your login details private and let us know promptly at hello@hoursforhours.com if you think someone else has gained access.
One person, one account. Don't impersonate anyone or create an account on someone else's behalf without permission.
HoursForHours only works if neighbors treat each other well. When you use the Service, you agree to:
This is the heart of how HoursForHours works, so we'll say it plainly: when you agree to trade time with another member, that agreement is entirely between the two of you. You decide together what you'll do, when, where, and on what terms. You settle up between yourselves.
You are solely responsible for deciding whether to trade with any particular member, for evaluating their suitability, and for any consequences of a trade. We strongly encourage you to use your own judgment, meet safely, agree on details in advance, and confirm that anyone doing licensed or specialized work (for example, anything involving electrical, plumbing, medical, dental, legal, financial, or childcare services) actually holds the licenses and insurance that such work requires. HoursForHours does not confirm this for you.
You are responsible for your own taxes. Bartered services may have tax consequences depending on your situation. We don't track the value of trades, we don't report anything to tax authorities on your behalf, and we are not your tax advisor. Consult a professional about your own circumstances.
After a trade, members can rate each other with stars and short descriptive tags. Ratings are a core feature: they help the community hold itself accountable. Ratings and reviews reflect the opinions of individual members, not HoursForHours. We don't verify them and we're not responsible for them, though we may remove content that violates these Terms.
Don't manipulate ratings — no fake reviews, no trading ratings for favors, no retaliation. Doing so can get your account suspended.
Some features may require a paid membership. Where they do, the current price and billing terms will be shown before you pay. Payments are processed by Stripe, our third-party payment processor; by paying, you also agree to Stripe's terms. We don't store your full card details.
Any membership fee you pay is for access to the HoursForHours platform — the ability to post, discover neighbors, message, and build a reputation. It is not a fee for any trade, and it does not make us a party to any trade. Unless a specific offer says otherwise, membership fees are billed in advance and are non-refundable except where required by law. You can cancel future renewals at any time; cancellation stops future charges but doesn't retroactively refund the current period.
We may change our fees. If we do, we'll give you notice before the change applies to you, and the new price will take effect on your next billing cycle.
You keep ownership of what you post — your listings, messages, profile, and ratings ("Your Content"). By posting, you give HoursForHours a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to host, display, and share Your Content as needed to operate and promote the Service. You're responsible for Your Content and confirm you have the right to post it and that it isn't false, misleading, or unlawful.
Don't use the Service to:
Trades usually mean meeting a neighbor in person, sometimes in a home. Please take this seriously. Meet in a way you're comfortable with, tell someone where you'll be, trust your instincts, and stop if something feels wrong. You are responsible for your own safety and for anyone you bring into a trade, including children. HoursForHours does not conduct background checks unless we expressly state that we do, and even where some verification exists, it is never a guarantee of anyone's character, safety, or conduct.
The Service is provided "as is" and "as available," without warranties of any kind, whether express or implied, including any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement. We don't warrant that the Service will be uninterrupted, error-free, or secure, or that any member, listing, trade, or rating is accurate, reliable, safe, or suitable.
We make no warranty about the conduct of any member or the outcome of any trade. Any dispute about a trade is between the members involved.
To the fullest extent permitted by law, HoursForHours and its operator will not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, or for any loss of profits, data, goodwill, or other intangible losses, arising from or related to your use of the Service or any trade or interaction with another member — even if we've been advised such damages are possible.
To the fullest extent permitted by law, our total liability for any claim arising out of or relating to the Service is limited to the greater of (a) the total amount you paid us in the twelve months before the claim, or (b) one hundred U.S. dollars ($100).
Some jurisdictions don't allow certain limitations, so some of the above may not apply to you.
You agree to indemnify and hold harmless HoursForHours and its operator from any claims, damages, losses, liabilities, and expenses (including reasonable legal fees) arising out of your use of the Service, your trades or interactions with other members, Your Content, or your violation of these Terms or any law or the rights of anyone else.
You can stop using the Service and delete your account at any time. We may suspend or terminate your access if you violate these Terms, create risk for other members or for us, or for any reason with reasonable notice where practical. Provisions that by their nature should survive — including sections on trades, disclaimers, liability, indemnification, and disputes — survive termination.
These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of California, without regard to its conflict-of-laws rules.
If a dispute arises, we ask that you first contact us at hello@hoursforhours.com so we can try to resolve it informally. We expect most concerns can be worked out that way. Any formal dispute-resolution terms, including any arbitration provisions, will be finalized in a future update to these Terms, and we'll notify you of material changes as described in Section 17.
We may update these Terms from time to time. If we make material changes, we'll take reasonable steps to let you know, such as posting a notice on the site or emailing you. Changes take effect when posted unless we say otherwise, and your continued use of the Service means you accept the updated Terms.
Questions about these Terms? Write to us at hello@hoursforhours.com.