The short version
Nothing leaves your account until the work is confirmed done. When you post a job, your card is authorised for the amount — the money is checked and reserved, but not taken. It's only charged when you confirm the job is complete, or automatically about 4 hours after the Jobber marks it finished if you don't — unless you've raised an issue first.
How it works step by step
- •You post a job — your card is authorised for the price plus our 5% booking fee capped at £7.50, both shown before you confirm the booking
- •A Jobber accepts — they check in on arrival with a 4-digit code and do the work
- •The Jobber marks it finished — you get a notification to look the work over
- •You confirm — only now is your card actually charged
- •Something's wrong? — raise an issue before confirming and the charge waits while our team reviews it
Is this escrow? No — and the difference is worth being straight about
It's a payment hold, not an escrow account: no third party sits on your money, and nothing moves out of your account until the job is confirmed. The effect is what matters — the Jobber knows the money is real before they spend a penny travelling to you, and you know nothing is taken until you've seen the work.
What if the job costs more?
Jobbers can request approval for additional parts and materials through the app. You'll receive a real-time notification and can approve or reject each line item. Nothing gets added to your bill without your explicit consent.
What about cancellations?
What you get back depends on how far your Jobber has got, not on the clock:
- •Before the Jobber sets off: full refund, no charge
- •Jobber on their way, first 2 minutes: full refund
- •Jobber on their way, travelling longer: the Jobber keeps a travel share that grows with the minutes they have actually travelled, capped at 15% of the job or £10, whichever is lower; you get the rest back
- •Jobber has arrived and started: you pay for the part of the job actually carried out so far; the rest is refunded
- •Once the work is marked finished: cancelling is no longer available — report a problem instead, and we hold your payment while we review it
- •If the Jobber cancels: full refund at any stage, no charge to you
The exact amount is always shown before you confirm. Full details are in our Cancellation & Refund Policy.
Why cash is worse
Cash payments offer zero protection. There's no record of the agreement, no recourse if the work is poor, and no way to verify the worker's identity. A hold on your card until the work is confirmed gives both sides confidence.