Terms of Use

These terms govern your use of the Shoku and Shoku Contractor apps and the Shoku websites (together, "Shoku"). By creating an account or using Shoku, you agree to them. Please read them alongside our Privacy Policy.

1. What Shoku is

Shoku is a marketplace that connects homeowners with independent local contractors for home maintenance work. Shoku is an intermediary: the contract for any work — its scope, price and standard — is directly between the homeowner and the contractor. Shoku is not a party to that contract, does not employ contractors, and does not itself perform any trade work.

2. Accounts

You must be 18 or older to use Shoku. Each account is registered as either a homeowner or a contractor, and you agree to provide accurate information and keep your login details secure.

3. Jobs and quotes

Homeowners post jobs with a description, address and, where useful, photos. Contractors respond with quotes. A quote is an offer to do the described work at a stated price — it isn't a binding agreement until the homeowner accepts it on Shoku. Once accepted, the homeowner and contractor are responsible for agreeing on the specifics of the work between themselves via in-app chat and scheduling.

4. Chat and scheduling

Shoku provides in-app chat and schedule proposals so homeowners and contractors can agree on timing and details. Please keep communication respectful and on the platform — it helps keep both sides safe and makes it possible for Shoku to assist if a dispute arises.

5. Payments and fees

When a homeowner accepts a quote, payment is made by card, in South African rand, through Paystack. The amount is reserved on the card at that point, not charged — it is only charged, and paid out to the contractor's bank account, once both the homeowner and the contractor confirm, via sign-off on Shoku, that the job is complete.

Homeowners pay the accepted quote amount and nothing more. Shoku adds no booking or service fee.

Contractors pay Shoku a platform commission of 15% of each job's value. It is deducted automatically when the payment is split, so the contractor receives 85% of the amount the homeowner paid. Paystack's card-processing fees are paid by Shoku out of its commission, not by the contractor. The commission rate that applies to a contractor is the one in effect when they set up their payout account; if we change the rate, the new rate applies only to contractors who set up their payout account after the change, and we'll update these terms.

Referral partners. Where a contractor was referred to Shoku by one of our referral partners, Shoku pays that partner 2% of the value of each of the contractor's jobs, out of Shoku's own commission. It does not reduce the contractor's payout or increase the homeowner's price.

6. Cancellations and refunds

Jobs can be cancelled on Shoku before work is signed off. Refund eligibility depends on the stage the job has reached at the time of cancellation. Where a job is cancelled after payment is held but before sign-off, Shoku will handle the refund or release of funds on Shoku.

7. Reviews

Homeowners may leave a review when they sign off a job. Reviews must reflect your genuine experience — no fake, incentivised or retaliatory reviews. We may remove reviews that breach this.

8. Acceptable use

• Don't use Shoku for anything unlawful, fraudulent, or to request work that isn't legitimate home maintenance.
• Don't harass, threaten or discriminate against another user.
• Don't try to take payment for a Shoku-sourced job outside the app to avoid the payment protections described above.
• Don't misrepresent your identity, qualifications, or the work you're offering or requesting.

9. Contractor responsibilities

Contractors are independent businesses, not employees of Shoku. Contractors are responsible for holding any licences, registrations or insurance required by South African law for their trade, and for the quality and safety of the work they carry out.

10. Disclaimers and limitation of liability

Shoku facilitates introductions, quotes, communication and payment between homeowners and contractors, but does not supervise or guarantee the work performed by any contractor. To the maximum extent permitted under South African law, Shoku's liability for any claim arising from the use of the platform is limited, and Shoku gives no warranty as to the standard of work carried out by an independent contractor.

11. Suspension and termination

We may suspend or close an account that breaches these terms, engages in fraud, or puts other users at risk. You can stop using Shoku at any time, and ask us to close your account using the contact details below.

12. Changes to these terms

We may update these terms as Shoku evolves. We'll update the "Last updated" date above when we do, and continued use of Shoku after a change means you accept the updated terms.

13. Governing law

These terms are governed by the laws of the Republic of South Africa, and any dispute arising from them is subject to the jurisdiction of the South African courts.

14. Contact us

For any question about these terms, email shoku-support@businessblacksmiths.com.