Payment and Fees Policy
This Payment Policy outlines how payments are initiated, managed, and processed between clients and freelancers through the AEdigo platform. It is incorporated into the AEdigo Terms of Service and serves as a key reference for understanding the financial responsibilities of users.


1. Payment System Structure

AEdigo supports transactions between users by integrating with third-party providers such as Stripe. AEdigo does not operate as a financial institution and does not take custody of user funds. Instead, funds are held and disbursed directly by Stripe, which associates payments with freelancer accounts under pre-defined conditions. These conditions may include project execution phases, client approvals, or the lapse of dispute periods. AEdigo’s role is limited to facilitating payment flows programmatically and in accordance with these conditions. For certain payment methods, AEdigo may appear as the “merchant of record” solely for the purpose of enabling secure payment processing through Stripe or other third-party providers. This does not create any responsibility for the quality, legality, timeliness, or performance of services, which rest solely with the Client and Freelancer.


2. Hourly Payments

For hourly contracts, freelancers track their time using integrated tools such as Hubstaff. A new billing cycle begins each Monday 00:00 GMT and ends the following Sunday 23:59 GMT. At the start of the next week, an invoice is automatically generated based on the hours logged, and the client’s saved payment method is charged. If payment attempts fail, AEdigo will notify the parties and retry the transaction across several days. Unresolved failures may result in contract suspension or account limitation. Clients have until the end of the billing week to review and dispute logged hours. Once the dispute window closes without action, payment is finalized and sent for release.

Freelancers are only eligible for payment protection if: (a) all logged hours are tracked via Hubstaff with complete screenshots and activity logs; (b) hours do not exceed pre-authorized weekly limits; and (c) no manual time entries are made. Any work that fails to meet these criteria will not be eligible for payment protection.
Clients must submit disputes by Sunday 23:59 GMT. Failure to do so will result in automatic approval and payment release. Disputes after this point are at AEdigo’s sole discretion.

Use of time-tracking or billing automation does not create an employment, agency, or joint-employer relationship with AEdigo.

Hubstaff Enrollment Deadline. For hourly contracts, acceptance and commencement of work are contingent on the Freelancer enrolling in and activating the designated time-tracking tool (currently Hubstaff) via the invitation sent through the AEdigo platform. If the Freelancer does not successfully enroll and connect their account within ninety-six (96) hours of the invitation, AEdigo may, in its sole discretion, withdraw or allow the hourly offer to expire without liability to any party. Any unfunded or pre-authorized amounts tied to that offer will be voided or released to the Client, as applicable. The offer may be re-issued after enrollment at the Client’s discretion. Use of time-tracking is an administrative condition and does not create an employment, agency, or joint-employer relationship with AEdigo. Withdrawal or expiry under this section does not authorize off-platform engagement in violation of AEdigo’s Non-Circumvention Policy.


3. Fixed-Price Payments

Fixed-price projects are divided into execution phases, each with its own budget and deliverables. Clients are required to fund each phase in advance using Stripe. The funds are earmarked for the freelancer but are not released until the client formally approves the work of the execution phase or the predefined review period ends. In the case of disagreements, AEdigo encourages parties to resolve the issue independently, but may step in to facilitate informal dispute resolution when necessary.

Clients have seven (7) calendar days to approve or reject submitted work. If no action is taken, funds are automatically released.
Freelancers are protected only if the execution phase was funded and work was submitted via the platform’s official “Submit Deliverable” mechanism. AEdigo does not guarantee payment in fixed-price disputes. The platform only mediates and does not issue binding decisions.


4. Disbursement of Funds

Once an execution phase is approved or the time-review window ends, AEdigo’s systems instruct Stripe to disburse funds to the Freelancer. Payout minimums, per-payout fees, available payout methods, and payout schedules are set by Stripe and may vary by country, currency, bank, and risk tier; any such processor-imposed thresholds and fees apply to the Freelancer and may be deducted by Stripe from the payout or offset against the Freelancer’s balance. If a payout does not meet Stripe’s current minimum or fails processor checks, the funds will remain pending (or roll into the next eligible payout) until the applicable threshold is met or the issue is resolved. All transfers follow the original funding and approval logic and are automated to maintain compliance and consistency.


5. Holds, Compliance, and Fraud Safeguards

AEdigo and its Payment Processor reserve the right to freeze, delay, reverse, or claw back transactions at their reasonable discretion in cases involving suspected fraud, legal violations, chargebacks, circumvention attempts, or breaches of platform policies. This includes disbursed funds if a chargeback is later processed or a transaction is deemed invalid. Users agree to cooperate promptly by providing any documentation or identity verification reasonably required to resolve compliance checks, which shall be provided within five (5) business days of request unless otherwise specified by AEdigo. AEdigo may take these actions without prior notice and without requiring user approval when reasonably necessary to protect platform integrity, comply with legal obligations, or prevent financial loss.

For clarity, AEdigo acts solely as a payment facilitator (and, where applicable, as merchant of record for the limited purpose of enabling payment processing) and is not a party to, nor responsible for, the performance, quality, legality, fitness, timeliness, or compliance of any services under a user-to-user Service Contract. Nothing in this Policy shall be construed as AEdigo guaranteeing deliverables or outcomes.

Any amounts refunded, reversed, or clawed back by a payment processor are recoverable from the User who received the funds, and AEdigo may offset such amounts against any current or future payouts owed to that User. The affected User remains responsible for promptly curing any negative balance that results. To the fullest extent permitted by law, Users agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless AEdigo, its affiliates, officers, directors, employees, agents, and the Payment Processor from and against any third-party claims, penalties, chargebacks, fines, refunds, damages, regulatory actions, losses, or expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising out of or related to transactions on the platform or actions taken in good faith under this Section, except to the extent directly caused by AEdigo’s proven gross negligence or willful misconduct.


6. Refunds and Chargebacks

Authorized payments are considered final unless covered by an active dispute or refund request approved within the platform. Clients are expected to pursue all concerns through AEdigo’s internal resolution channels and not through external chargeback mechanisms. Chargebacks initiated outside of AEdigo’s dispute system will be treated as a material breach of this Payment Policy and the AEdigo Terms of Service.

AEdigo reserves the right to freeze, delay, reverse, or claw back payments at its sole discretion in response to chargebacks, suspected fraud, platform violations, or unresolved disputes. This includes previously disbursed funds if a client-initiated chargeback is approved by the payment processor. Freelancers who have received such funds may be subject to clawback actions and are advised to maintain accurate and verifiable documentation of work delivered.

Users agree to cooperate fully with any investigation or compliance request, and acknowledge that AEdigo may take these actions without prior notice and without requiring user approval when necessary to protect platform integrity or comply with legal obligations. AEdigo also reserves the right to pursue collection or legal remedies in cases where clawed-back amounts are not voluntarily returned.


7. Platform Fees

AEdigo applies a standard percentage-based service fee model to all transactions conducted through the platform. Clients are charged a 4.99% platform service fee on all funded amounts, and freelancers are charged a 14.99% service fee on all payments they receive. These service fees are calculated as a percentage of the applicable transaction amount and deducted automatically as part of the payment flow.

In addition, a one-time Kick-Off fee of USD $14.99 is applied to each new service contract initiated on the platform, payable by the client upon contract activation. Additional payment-processing or withdrawal-method fees may also apply, depending on the payout channel selected, and will be disclosed prior to the transaction.
AEdigo reserves the right to modify service-fee rates or other applicable charges with at least 60 days’ written notice to users. Any such changes will apply prospectively and will not affect service contracts that have an effective date prior to the published change.

Users are solely responsible for reviewing the applicable fees before initiating or accepting any offer. No performance-based, tiered-commission, or volume-discount structures apply unless expressly stated in writing by AEdigo.


8. Taxes and Regulatory Compliance

Users are responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable tax regulations. This includes reporting freelance income, calculating withholdings, and determining tax residency. AEdigo may, where required, collect and remit sales tax, VAT, or other levies depending on the jurisdiction of the transaction. Freelancers are encouraged to consult tax professionals to ensure accurate filings.


9. Non-Circumvention Commitment

To protect the integrity of the AEdigo marketplace and ensure fair use of our services, all users including freelancers, clients, and any team members, agents, or representatives acting on their behalf agree that, from the moment a client and freelancer are introduced or identify one another through AEdigo (including via proposal, interview, message, profile view, job posting, or any other interaction), they will exclusively use AEdigo for all communications, collaborations, and payments related to construction-industry services for a period of eighteen (18) months. This obligation applies whether or not an engagement ultimately results in a contract and extends to any affiliated business entities, agents, or representatives. A connection exists as soon as identifying information (for example, name, portfolio, or company affiliation) is accessible through AEdigo, and any pre-existing relationship must be disclosed to AEdigo in writing within five (5) business days of that identification to qualify for an exemption.

During this period, users may not solicit or accept payments outside AEdigo for any work that stems from an AEdigo-facilitated connection, exchange or request personal contact information prior to an active contract, or refer, recommend, or connect an AEdigo user to a third party outside the platform for the purpose of bypassing platform services or fees. Any violation is a material breach and may result in permanent account suspension, termination of active contracts, removal of posted work or reviews, bans on related accounts or affiliated businesses, and AEdigo’s right to investigate and pursue equitable relief and liquidated damages equal to the platform service fees reasonably projected to have been lost due to circumvention over a 18-month period. AEdigo does not offer a buy-out or conversion fee to waive non-circumvention; off-platform collaboration may occur only after the eighteen-month period has fully expired. This commitment survives termination or closure of any account and remains enforceable until the relevant eighteen-month period expires.


10. Execution of NDAs and Final Lien Waivers

When accepting an offer on AEdigo that includes a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA), the freelancer agrees to maintain the confidentiality of all project-related materials, including, but not limited to, technical drawings, spreadsheets, pricing, communications, and deliverables, both during and after the contract period. The freelancer is required to sign the NDA if requested by the client, and failure to comply may result in delayed payment, account action, or legal consequences.
Similarly, if an offer includes a Final Lien Waiver, the freelancer agrees to sign that waiver upon project completion and full payment. The waiver is considered legally binding and dated at the time of execution, not acceptance. Execution of lien waivers is subject to local laws and enforceability may vary by jurisdiction. Freelancers and clients are encouraged to consult local counsel to ensure compliance.

AEdigo is not responsible for the enforcement or interpretation of NDAs or lien waivers exchanged between users. Users assume all responsibility for reviewing and executing legal instruments tied to their project contracts.


11. Legal Scope and Disclaimer

All payment facilitation on the AEdigo platform is provided strictly as a neutral intermediary function and is subject to the terms, limitations, and disclaimers set forth in AEdigo’s Liability Disclaimer, which is incorporated herein by reference. AEdigo acts solely as a payment processor via third-party providers (including but not limited to Stripe) and, where applicable, as the merchant of record for the limited purpose of enabling secure transactions between Clients and Freelancers. This designation does not create, imply, or extend any contractual, statutory, or regulatory obligation on AEdigo to perform, guarantee, supervise, monitor, or endorse any services, deliverables, timelines, or compliance obligations under a Service Contract. All responsibility for the scope, quality, legality, performance, safety, and regulatory compliance of services rests exclusively with the contracting Client and Freelancer.

AEdigo bears no liability for disputes, defects, non-performance, delays, cost overruns, code violations, safety incidents, or any other project-related issues, except to the extent directly caused by AEdigo’s proven gross negligence or willful misconduct, as expressly limited in the Liability Disclaimer. Users acknowledge that AEdigo may, in its sole discretion, reverse, withhold, or recover payments in cases of suspected or actual fraud, chargebacks, policy violations, unauthorized activity, regulatory inquiries, or any other reasonable basis for concern, and that any resulting negative account balances must be repaid immediately upon demand. All Users further agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless AEdigo from any claims, penalties, chargebacks, fines, damages, refunds, or regulatory actions arising from or related to services purchased or sold through the platform, subject only to the exclusions expressly stated in the Liability Disclaimer.

Users remain solely responsible for their own worker-classification and employment-law compliance; nothing in this Policy shall be construed to create employment, agency, or joint-employer status with AEdigo.


12. Contact

If you have questions regarding this Payment Policy, you may contact us at Support@AEdigo.com.


Dispute Resolution Policy

This Dispute Resolution Policy outlines the procedures and conditions under which disputes between clients and freelancers on the  AEdigo platform are handled. It is an integral part of  AEdigo’s Terms of Service and should be read in conjunction with the Payment Policy.

AEdigo aims to provide a fair, transparent, and efficient process to resolve disputes between users. Our role is limited to facilitating mutual agreement through non-binding mediation.  AEdigo does not impose outcomes or act as a final decision-maker. We encourage users to communicate proactively and resolve disagreements whenever possible before requesting intervention.

AEdigo is not a party to any service contract between users and shall not be held liable for non-payment, late delivery, breach of contract, or any outcome resulting from unresolved disputes. Users understand that  AEdigo’s mediation is optional, non-binding, and provided solely as a courtesy to facilitate user-to-user resolution.


1. Disputes on Fixed-Price Contracts

When a freelancer completes an Execution Phase in a fixed-price contract, they must submit the completed work using the “Submit Deliverable” button on the platform. Upon submission, the client is given seven (7) calendar days to either approve the work, request revisions, or reject it outright. If the client fails to take action within that window, the funds will be automatically released to the freelancer, subject to any applicable processing times and platform requirements.
If a client rejects the first submission, they must provide the freelancer with a reasonable opportunity to revise and resubmit the deliverable within the agreed contract scope. The client may only proceed to a formal refund request if, after the freelancer’s revision(s), they remain unsatisfied with the work. All revision requests must be communicated clearly through the platform’s messaging system to ensure an auditable record, and resubmissions must be made via the “Submit Deliverable” feature.

If a client chooses to reject the submitted work, they may formally request a refund. At this point, the freelancer has the option to accept the refund, in which case the funds are returned to the client, or to decline it. A rejection by the freelancer initiates AEdigo’s dispute resolution process as detailed in Section 1 of this policy.
Once the dispute process is initiated,  AEdigo assigns a Dispute Specialist to mediate the situation. The specialist will review the deliverables, examine Aedigo communication logs, and may request additional evidence or clarification from both parties. The Dispute Specialist's role is to facilitate negotiations between the parties toward a mutual agreement. AEdigo does not have authority to and will not issue binding decisions in these disputes.

If mediation is unsuccessful, either party may escalate the issue to binding arbitration. This can only proceed if both parties agree and each pays the arbitration fee, which is set by the American Arbitration Association (AAA). If only one party pays, the arbitration does not proceed. If neither party pays the arbitration fee within 30 days of the arbitration notice, the funds will be returned to the client by default.  AEdigo’s fixed-price protection applies only when the Execution Phase has been funded and the freelancer has properly submitted work through the designated feature, and when any revision and resubmission requests from the client have been completed by the freelancer in accordance with the original contract agreement, including any agreed-upon number of revisions.

AEdigo disclaims any liability for the timing or outcome of fund disbursements related to fixed-price contracts, including those affected by Stripe processing delays, user inaction, or disputes unresolved within the platform timeline. Users are solely responsible for tracking and managing their execution phase review windows and initiating action within the designated periods.



2. Disputes on Hourly Contracts

AEdigo’s hourly work system uses a time tracking tool such as Hubstaff. The billing week begins on Monday at 00:00 GMT and ends on Sunday at 23:59 GMT. Freelancers log hours through Hubstaff, and invoices are automatically generated on the following Monday. These invoices reflect the hours logged during the previous week.

Clients are given a seven-day review period, from Monday to Sunday, to examine the invoice and dispute any hours they believe are not compliant with the agreed terms. If the client does not file a dispute by Sunday at 23:59 GMT, the funds are automatically released to the freelancer.
Clients disputing hours must specify exactly which hours are being contested and provide a detailed reason with supporting evidence for each disputed hour.  AEdigo will then review the time logs, including screenshots and work notes from Hubstaff, and the communication between the parties.  AEdigo may suggest a resolution or provide guidance, but does not make final rulings in these cases.

Freelancers are protected under this policy if they meet the following conditions: they must log hours using Hubstaff (including screenshots and notes), stay within authorized time limits, maintain an account in good standing. Time worked outside these requirements, such as manual time or time logged after a dispute, is not protected.

Clients acknowledge that failure to dispute logged hours within the review period constitutes acceptance of the invoice. Freelancers acknowledge that time logged outside of the platform’s protection criteria, including manual entries, time exceeding authorized limits, or unapproved bonuses, may not be eligible for payment, and AEdigo is not responsible for unpaid balances under such circumstances.


3. Governing Law and Arbitration Venue

This policy and all disputes relating to it shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, United States. If arbitration is pursued, it must be conducted through the American Arbitration Association (AAA), subject to mutual agreement and shared fees by both parties.

Nothing in this Policy shall be interpreted as a waiver of AEdigo’s right to decline participation in any user-initiated arbitration unless AEdigo is expressly named as a party and provides prior written consent to be bound by such proceedings.


4. User Obligations in Legal Proceedings

If a user intends to obtain a legal or arbitration order directing AEdigo to release or withhold funds, they must first provide AEdigo with at least seven (7) business days' written notice. Additionally, any such order must include provisions that AEdigo be reimbursed for any funds owed and compensated at its standard rates for any action it is required to perform.  AEdigo is not obligated to comply with court or arbitration orders unless these conditions are met.

Users agree to indemnify and hold AEdigo harmless from any administrative burden, legal expense, or damages arising from subpoenas, court orders, or arbitration demands that require AEdigo to act in connection with a user dispute. This includes time spent responding to requests, securing platform records, or implementing payment directives.


5. Final Notes

AEdigo’s dispute resolution system is built to foster trust while maintaining neutrality. Our focus is on supporting users in reaching fair resolutions without making unilateral decisions.

Users who fail to follow platform protocols including using approved time tracking tools, submitting work via official submission features, or filing disputes within the stated timeframes may forfeit access to platform-based protections.  AEdigo is not responsible for resolving or recovering funds related to engagements outside the platform or outside these procedural safeguards.


If questions arise about this policy or its implementation, users may contact Legal@AEdigo.com for assistance.