Terms of Service

These Terms of Service (“Terms”) constitute a legally binding agreement between you and TecHQ Services (“TecHQ,” “we,” “us,” or “our”), governing your use of our website at www.techqservices.com, our customer portal, and all related services (collectively, the “Platform”). These Terms apply to all users of the Platform, including customers and visitors. Separate agreements govern the relationship between TecHQ and independent contractor Techies who provide services through the Platform.

TecHQ operates a technology platform that connects customers who need IT support with independent contractor technicians (“Techies”). TecHQ is not itself an IT services provider. Techies are independent contractors and not employees, agents, or representatives of TecHQ. TecHQ does not guarantee the availability, quality, or outcome of any support session, though we strive to maintain high standards through our vetting, rating, and review systems.

Our services include remote and onsite IT support for home users and small businesses, accessed through our customer portal. Services may include troubleshooting, device setup, software installation, network configuration, and other general IT support tasks.

TecHQ reserves the right to modify, suspend, or discontinue any aspect of the Platform at any time, with or without notice.

To use the Platform, you must create an account and provide accurate, complete, and current information. You must be at least 18 years of age to use our services. By creating an account, you represent and warrant that all information you provide is truthful and that you have the legal capacity to enter into these Terms.

You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials and for all activity that occurs under your account. You agree to notify us immediately at support@techqservices.com if you suspect any unauthorized access to or use of your account.

TecHQ reserves the right to suspend or terminate your account at any time, for any reason, including but not limited to violation of these Terms, abusive behavior toward Techies, fraud, or nonpayment.

By using TecHQ services, you agree to the following payment terms:

• Payment method on file: A valid payment method is saved to your profile and must be on file before any support case can be opened. Nothing is charged when your card is saved. Payment is processed through Stripe, our third party payment processor. TecHQ does not store your full card details directly.
• Initiation fee: Each billable support case includes a flat $8 initiation fee. It is not charged when the case is opened. It is billed together with any per minute support charges only when a billable case closes. The first minute of active support time is included in this fee.
• Time based billing: Active support time is billed at $1.25 per minute after the first minute, which is included in the initiation fee. A case becomes billable only once active support time begins, when your Techie starts the timer. The timer stops when the case is resolved or paused, and you can monitor elapsed time in real time through the customer portal. If a case closes before active support time begins, or is cancelled within the first minute of active time, there is no charge.
• Billing on close: When a billable case closes, your payment method on file is charged one time for the initiation fee and any time based charges together, never as two separate charges. A case closes as billable when the issue is resolved, when it is determined unsolvable for a reason beyond your control or TecHQ’s, such as a needed part, an onsite visit, your internet provider, or a specialist, or when you end the case after active support time has started. A case closed because TecHQ was unable to resolve it is not charged. If your case is passed to a specialist queue, no charge occurs until the case later closes with a billable outcome.
• Tips: You may optionally leave a tip for your Techie after a case is closed. Tips are entirely voluntary and are paid to your Techie in accordance with TecHQ’s published payout structure.
• Credits and disputes: If you believe you were billed incorrectly, contact us at support@techqservices.com within 7 days of the charge. Credits exceeding 5 minutes of billed time require administrative review and are issued at TecHQ’s sole discretion.
• Chargebacks: Filing a chargeback or payment dispute with your bank or card issuer without first contacting TecHQ may result in suspension of your account.

All prices are quoted in U.S. dollars. TecHQ reserves the right to modify pricing at any time. Any pricing changes will apply only to cases opened after the change takes effect.

a. Remote support sessions

When you engage a Techie for remote support, you may be asked to grant temporary access to your device via screen sharing or remote desktop tools. By granting access, you acknowledge and agree to the following:

• Access is granted voluntarily and only with your explicit permission
• You can observe everything the Techie does on your screen in real time
• You may revoke access and end the session at any time
• The Techie will not retain access to your device after the session ends
• TecHQ is not responsible for any pre existing conditions, software conflicts, data loss, or unintended consequences that may occur during or after a remote session

b. Onsite visits

For onsite support, you agree to provide a safe and accessible working environment for the Techie. TecHQ is not liable for any property damage, theft, or personal injury that may occur during an onsite visit, except to the extent caused by the willful misconduct of TecHQ. You acknowledge that Techies are independent contractors and not employees of TecHQ.

By using the Platform, you agree not to:

• Use the Platform for any unlawful purpose or in violation of any applicable law or regulation
• Harass, threaten, abuse, or use discriminatory language toward any Techie, TecHQ employee, or other user
• Attempt to solicit, recruit, or engage any Techie for IT services outside the TecHQ Platform (“platform circumvention”)
• Provide false, misleading, or fraudulent information in connection with your account or any support case
• Interfere with or disrupt the Platform, including attempting to gain unauthorized access to any part of the system
• Reverse engineer, decompile, or disassemble any aspect of the Platform or its underlying technology
• Use any automated means (bots, scrapers, crawlers) to access the Platform without our express written permission
• Attempt to manipulate ratings, reviews, or any feedback mechanism on the Platform

Violation of these conduct standards may result in suspension or permanent termination of your account, at TecHQ’s sole discretion.

All content, features, functionality, and technology on the Platform — including but not limited to text, graphics, logos, icons, images, software, and the TecHQ name and brand — are the exclusive property of TecHQ Services or its licensors and are protected by United States and international intellectual property laws.

You are granted a limited, non exclusive, non transferable, revocable license to access and use the Platform for its intended purpose. This license does not include the right to reproduce, distribute, modify, create derivative works from, publicly display, or commercially exploit any Platform content without the prior written consent of TecHQ.

a. Disclaimer of warranties

THE PLATFORM AND ALL SERVICES ARE PROVIDED ON AN “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE” BASIS, WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED. TECHQ DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND NON INFRINGEMENT. TECHQ DOES NOT WARRANT THAT THE PLATFORM WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED, ERROR FREE, OR SECURE, OR THAT ANY DEFECTS WILL BE CORRECTED.

b. Limitation of liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, TECHQ, ITS OWNERS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, AND AFFILIATES SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH YOUR USE OF THE PLATFORM OR SERVICES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO DATA LOSS, DEVICE DAMAGE, LOSS OF PROFITS, OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION, REGARDLESS OF THE THEORY OF LIABILITY.

IN NO EVENT SHALL TECHQ’S TOTAL AGGREGATE LIABILITY TO YOU FOR ALL CLAIMS ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THESE TERMS OR YOUR USE OF THE PLATFORM EXCEED THE GREATER OF (A) THE TOTAL AMOUNT YOU HAVE PAID TO TECHQ IN THE TWELVE (12) MONTHS IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE EVENT GIVING RISE TO THE CLAIM, OR (B) ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($100.00).

c. Acknowledgment of risk

You acknowledge that IT support inherently involves risk to your data, software, and hardware. You are solely responsible for maintaining backups of your data before any support session. TecHQ strongly recommends that you back up all important files before engaging any Techie for support.

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless TecHQ, its owners, officers, employees, agents, and affiliates from and against any and all claims, damages, losses, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising out of or in connection with: (a) your use of the Platform or services; (b) your violation of these Terms; (c) your violation of any applicable law or regulation; or (d) your violation of the rights of any third party.

a. Informal resolution first

Before initiating any formal dispute resolution proceeding, you agree to first contact TecHQ at support@techqservices.com and attempt to resolve the dispute informally for at least thirty (30) days. Most concerns can be resolved quickly and to your satisfaction through this process.

b. Binding arbitration

If a dispute cannot be resolved informally, you and TecHQ agree that any dispute, claim, or controversy arising out of or relating to these Terms or the Platform shall be resolved exclusively through final and binding individual arbitration, rather than in court. Arbitration shall be administered by the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”) under its Consumer Arbitration Rules, or by another mutually agreed upon arbitration provider. The arbitration shall take place in Harris County, Texas, or at another mutually agreed upon location.

c. Class action waiver

YOU AND TECHQ AGREE THAT ANY DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROCEEDINGS WILL BE CONDUCTED ONLY ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS AND NOT IN A CLASS, CONSOLIDATED, COLLECTIVE, OR REPRESENTATIVE ACTION. YOU WAIVE YOUR RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT OR CLASS WIDE ARBITRATION AGAINST TECHQ.

d. Exceptions

Notwithstanding the above, either party may bring an individual action in small claims court for disputes within that court’s jurisdiction. Either party may also seek injunctive or equitable relief in a court of competent jurisdiction to prevent the actual or threatened infringement of intellectual property rights.

e. Opt out right

You may opt out of this arbitration provision by sending written notice to TecHQ Services, Attn: Legal, Houston, TX, or by emailing support@techqservices.com with the subject line “Arbitration Opt Out” within thirty (30) days of first accepting these Terms. If you opt out, you and TecHQ agree that any dispute shall be resolved exclusively in the state or federal courts located in Harris County, Texas.

You may terminate your account at any time by contacting us at support@techqservices.com. TecHQ may terminate or suspend your account immediately, without prior notice, for any reason, including but not limited to a breach of these Terms.

Upon termination, your right to use the Platform ceases immediately. Any provisions of these Terms that by their nature should survive termination shall survive, including but not limited to Sections 6 (Intellectual Property), 7 (Disclaimers and Limitation of Liability), 8 (Indemnification), and 9 (Dispute Resolution).

Termination of your account does not relieve you of any obligation to pay outstanding charges incurred before termination.

TecHQ reserves the right to modify these Terms at any time. When we make material changes, we will update the “Effective” date at the top of this page and, where appropriate, notify you by email or through a notice on the Platform. Your continued use of the Platform after any modification constitutes your acceptance of the updated Terms. If you do not agree with the changes, you should stop using the Platform and close your account.

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas, without regard to its conflict of laws provisions. Subject to the arbitration provision in Section 9, any legal action or proceeding arising under these Terms shall be brought exclusively in the state or federal courts located in Harris County, Texas, and you consent to the personal jurisdiction of such courts.

TecHQ uses software automation and artificial intelligence (“AI”) tools to help operate, deliver, and improve the Platform. By using the Platform, you acknowledge and agree to the following:

• Supporting role: AI tools may assist with tasks such as routing and matching cases, suggesting troubleshooting steps, summarizing case information, drafting communications, and reviewing quality. These tools support our Techies and staff and do not replace the independent judgment of the Techie handling your case.
• Human responsibility: A human Techie is responsible for the support delivered on your case. You may ask to communicate with a person at any time.
• Your information: Information you provide may be processed by AI tools to deliver and improve the Services. We handle your information as described in our Privacy Policy, and we do not sell your personal information.
• No guarantee of accuracy: AI assisted output may be incomplete or inaccurate. TecHQ does not warrant the accuracy of any AI assisted output, and the disclaimers and limitation of liability in these Terms apply to it.

TecHQ may add, modify, or remove AI features at any time. When we make material changes to how we use AI, we will update this section and the Effective date shown above.

• Entire agreement: These Terms, together with the Privacy Policy and any other policies referenced herein, constitute the entire agreement between you and TecHQ with respect to the Platform and supersede all prior agreements and understandings.
• Severability: If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable or invalid, that provision shall be limited or eliminated to the minimum extent necessary, and the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.
• No waiver: TecHQ’s failure to enforce any right or provision of these Terms shall not constitute a waiver of that right or provision.
• Assignment: You may not assign or transfer these Terms or your rights under these Terms without TecHQ’s prior written consent. TecHQ may assign these Terms without restriction.
• Force majeure: TecHQ shall not be liable for any failure or delay in performance due to circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to natural disasters, pandemics, internet outages, government actions, or labor disputes.
• Relationship of the parties: Nothing in these Terms creates a partnership, joint venture, employment, or agency relationship between you and TecHQ.

If you have any questions about these Terms of Service, please contact us: