Installer Certification Terms

Version: 1.0
Effective Date: December 29, 2025
Last Updated: December 29, 2025

CERTIFIED INSTALLER PROGRAM TERMS

This Certified Installer Program Terms document ("Agreement") is entered into between:

• Carpet Installers Direct ("Platform," "we," "us," or "our"), a Georgia-based business located at [Address], and
• You ("Installer," "you," or "your"), the individual or entity seeking Certified Installer status

By completing the certification application or signing below, you agree to the following terms:

1. Program Overview

1.1 What is the Certified Installer Program?

The Certified Installer Program is an optional verification program for carpet installers who wish to:

• Demonstrate their professional credentials to potential customers
• Access BYOI Certified tier jobs with higher coordination fees
• Build a verified track record through Platform
• Display quality metrics to customers (job count, NCR rate, rating)

1.2 Program Benefits

Certified Installers receive:

• ✅ Verification badge displayed to customers
• ✅ Access to BYOI Certified tier jobs ($149 coordination fee tier)
• ✅ Quality metrics displayed (jobs completed, NCR rate, customer rating)
• ✅ Priority listing in installer searches (if Platform adds search feature)
• ✅ Professional profile on Platform

1.3 Program is NOT Employment

IMPORTANT: The Certified Installer Program is a verification program, not employment.

• You are NOT an employee of Platform
• You are an independent contractor hired by customers
• Platform does NOT control your work methods, schedule, or pricing
• Platform does NOT pay you (customers pay you directly)

2. Certification Requirements

2.1 Initial Certification Requirements

To become a Certified Installer, you must provide:

Required Documents:

1. Valid State Contractor License - Active license in good standing
2. General Liability Insurance - Minimum $1,000,000 coverage per occurrence
3. Workers' Compensation Insurance - If required by your state (or exemption documentation)
4. Background Check Consent - FCRA-compliant consent for criminal background check

Background Check Process (FCRA Compliant):

• You receive a standalone FCRA Disclosure document
• You provide explicit written consent before background check
• You have the right to dispute inaccurate information
• You receive a copy of the report if adverse action is taken

2.2 Background Check Standards

Background check may disqualify certification if it reveals:

• Felony conviction within the past 7 years
• Conviction for crimes of dishonesty (fraud, theft, embezzlement)
• Conviction for violent crimes
• Sex offender registration
• Pending criminal charges for serious offenses

Background check will NOT automatically disqualify for:

• Misdemeanor convictions (case-by-case review)
• Arrests without conviction
• Expunged or sealed records
• Convictions older than 7 years (case-by-case review)

2.3 Minimum Experience (For Ongoing Certification)

After initial certification, you must complete 5 jobs through Platform within your first year to maintain certified status.

3. Quality Metrics and Standards

3.1 Quality Metrics Tracked

Platform tracks the following metrics for Certified Installers:

Job Count:

• Total jobs completed through Platform
• Jobs completed in past 12 months

Non-Conformance Report (NCR) Rate:

• Percentage of jobs with customer-reported quality issues
• NCR rate = (Jobs with NCR) / (Total Jobs) × 100%

Customer Rating:

• Average rating from post-job customer surveys (1-5 stars)
• Only customers who completed BYOI Certified orders can rate

3.2 Quality Standards for Certification

To maintain Certified status, you must:

• Complete at least 5 jobs through Platform per year
• Maintain NCR rate below 2% (fewer than 2 NCRs per 100 jobs)
• Maintain average customer rating of 4.5 stars or higher
• Respond to NCRs within 48 business hours

3.3 Metrics Review Period

Quality metrics are reviewed:

• Monthly: Platform monitors NCR rate and rating
• Quarterly: Formal review (warning if below standards)
• Annually: Certification renewal decision

4. Quality Management Agreement (QMA)

4.1 What is a QMA?

A Quality Management Agreement (QMA) is a commitment you sign for each BYOI Certified job agreeing to:

• Complete installation per industry standards
• Address quality issues reported via NCR process
• Respond to customer concerns within 48 business hours
• Maintain communication with customer and Platform

4.2 QMA is Per-Job

You sign a new QMA for each BYOI Certified job. The QMA covers:

• Specific project details (customer, address, materials)
• Installation standards applicable to the project
• Your commitment to address quality issues

4.3 QMA is NOT a Warranty

The QMA is a commitment to professionalism, NOT a warranty.

• Platform does NOT guarantee your work
• Platform does NOT pay for rework or repairs
• Customer recourse is against you and your insurance, not Platform

5. Non-Conformance Report (NCR) Process

5.1 What is an NCR?

A Non-Conformance Report (NCR) is a formal quality issue report submitted by a customer.

Customers may submit NCR for:

• Installation defects (wrinkles, buckling, poor seaming)
• Unprofessional conduct
• Failure to complete agreed work
• Property damage
• Scheduling issues (no-show, significant lateness)

5.2 NCR Process

When a customer submits an NCR:

1. Platform notifies you - You receive email with NCR details
2. You respond within 48 hours - Acknowledge receipt, provide explanation
3. Resolution window - You have 10 business days to resolve with customer
4. Outcome recorded - NCR marked as Resolved, Unresolved, or Disputed

5.3 NCR Outcomes

Resolved:

• You addressed the customer's concern
• Customer confirms issue is resolved
• NCR does NOT negatively impact your metrics

Unresolved:

• Issue not addressed within 10 business days
• Customer confirms issue is NOT resolved
• NCR counts against your NCR rate

Disputed:

• You dispute the NCR (believe customer complaint is invalid)
• Platform reviews documentation
• Platform makes final determination (counts or doesn't count against metrics)

5.4 NCR Appeals

You may appeal an NCR determination by:

• Emailing appeals@carpetinstallersdirect.com within 10 days
• Providing documentation supporting your position
• Platform reviews and issues final decision within 10 business days

6. Decertification

6.1 Grounds for Decertification

Platform may revoke your Certified status for:

Automatic Decertification:

• License expires or is revoked
• Insurance lapses
• Criminal conviction (per background check standards)
• Fraud or misrepresentation

Performance-Based Decertification:

• NCR rate exceeds 5% for 2 consecutive quarters
• Average rating falls below 4.0 stars for 2 consecutive quarters
• Failure to respond to NCRs within 48 hours (3+ instances)
• Fewer than 5 jobs completed in 12 months

6.2 Decertification Process

Warning:

• If metrics fall below standards, Platform issues written warning
• You have 30 days to improve metrics

Probation:

• If metrics remain below standards after warning, you enter 90-day probation
• Platform monitors closely; one additional NCR may trigger decertification

Decertification:

• If metrics don't improve during probation, certification is revoked
• You may reapply after 6 months

6.3 Effect of Decertification

If decertified:

• You lose Certified badge and premium listing
• You can no longer accept BYOI Certified tier jobs
• You may still accept BYOI Basic tier jobs (if customer requests)
• Your job history and ratings are retained (but hidden from new customers)

7. Credential Maintenance

7.1 Annual Recertification

To maintain Certified status, you must annually provide:

• Updated license (if renewed)
• Updated insurance certificate
• Background check consent (every 2 years)
• Confirmation of continued compliance

7.2 Reporting Changes

You must notify Platform within 10 business days of:

• License suspension, revocation, or expiration
• Insurance cancellation or lapse
• Criminal arrest or conviction
• Business closure or name change
• Contact information changes

7.3 Credential Verification

Platform may re-verify credentials at any time. Failure to provide updated documents within 14 days may result in:

• Temporary suspension (until documents provided)
• Decertification (if documents not provided within 30 days)

8. Independent Contractor Status

8.1 You are NOT an Employee

You acknowledge that:

• You are an independent contractor, NOT an employee of Platform
• Platform does NOT control your work methods, schedule, or pricing
• Platform does NOT provide tools, equipment, or materials (beyond specification packets)
• Platform does NOT withhold taxes from your payments
• You are responsible for your own taxes, insurance, and benefits

8.2 Customer is Your Client

For each job:

• The customer hires you directly
• The customer pays you directly
• Your contract is with the customer, not Platform
• Platform facilitates the connection, but does NOT employ you

8.3 No Exclusivity

• You may work for other platforms, companies, or customers
• Platform does NOT restrict your ability to work elsewhere
• You are NOT required to accept any specific job

9. Liability and Indemnification

9.1 You are Responsible for Your Work

You acknowledge that:

• You are solely responsible for the quality of your work
• You are responsible for any property damage you cause
• You are responsible for any personal injury you cause
• Platform is NOT liable for your actions or omissions

9.2 Insurance Requirements

Your insurance must cover:

• General liability: $1,000,000 per occurrence
• Property damage caused by your work
• Personal injury caused by your work
• Completed operations coverage

9.3 Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Platform from any claims arising from:

• Your installation work
• Property damage you cause
• Personal injury you cause
• Violation of building codes or industry standards
• Breach of QMA commitments
• Any misrepresentation about your credentials

10. Data and Privacy

10.1 Information We Collect

Platform collects from you:

• Contact information (name, email, phone, address)
• Credential documents (license, insurance, background check consent)
• Background check results (pass/fail status; full report retained by provider)
• Job history and quality metrics
• Customer reviews and ratings

10.2 How We Use Your Information

Platform uses your information to:

• Verify credentials and maintain certification
• Display your profile and metrics to potential customers
• Contact you about job opportunities
• Improve Platform services

10.3 Information Shared with Customers

Customers can see:

• Your name and business name
• Certification status
• Job count, NCR rate, and rating
• General service area

Customers CANNOT see:

• Your personal address
• License/insurance document copies
• Background check details
• Specific NCR details (only aggregate metrics)

11. Program Modifications

11.1 Platform May Update Program

Platform may update these Terms or the Certified Installer Program by:

• Posting updated version at [website URL]
• Notifying you via email
• Providing 30 days notice for material changes

11.2 Continued Participation = Acceptance

By continuing to participate after Terms are updated, you agree to the new Terms. If you do not agree, you may withdraw from the program.

12. Termination

12.1 You May Withdraw

You may withdraw from the Certified Installer Program at any time by:

• Emailing certification@carpetinstallersdirect.com
• Subject: "Certification Withdrawal"

Withdrawal does NOT:

• Cancel pending jobs (you must complete committed jobs)
• Erase your job history (retained for customer reference)
• Affect your ability to work directly with customers (outside Platform)

12.2 Platform May Terminate

Platform may terminate your participation for:

• Grounds listed in Section 6.1 (Decertification)
• Violation of these Terms
• Violation of Platform Terms of Service
• At Platform's discretion with 30 days notice

13. Contact Information

For certification questions:

Carpet Installers Direct - Installer Certification
Email: certification@carpetinstallersdirect.com
Phone: [Phone Number]
Address: [Physical Address, Georgia]
Business Hours: Monday-Friday, 9 AM - 5 PM EST

For NCR appeals:
Email: appeals@carpetinstallersdirect.com

14. Acknowledgment and Acceptance

By completing the certification application, you acknowledge that:

1. ✅ You have read and understood these Terms
2. ✅ You understand you are an independent contractor, NOT an employee
3. ✅ You consent to background check (FCRA disclosure provided separately)
4. ✅ You agree to maintain license, insurance, and quality standards
5. ✅ You agree to respond to NCRs within 48 business hours
6. ✅ You understand decertification grounds and process
7. ✅ You indemnify Platform from claims arising from your work

Effective Date: December 29, 2025
Version: 1.0
Document ID: CERT-TERMS-2025-v1.0

Attorney Review Notes

⚠️ IMPORTANT: This document should be reviewed by a Georgia-licensed attorney before use. Key areas requiring review:

1. Independent contractor classification - Verify language clearly establishes IC status per DOL and IRS tests
2. Background check standards - Ensure EEOC compliance for criminal history consideration
3. FCRA compliance - Verify background check process meets all FCRA requirements
4. Decertification process - Confirm process is fair and provides adequate due process
5. Quality metrics - Verify NCR rate and rating thresholds are reasonable
6. Indemnification - Ensure clause is enforceable under Georgia law
7. Termination provisions - Confirm termination rights are balanced and lawful

Recommended attorney budget: $400-600 for Installer Certification Terms review (complex IC and FCRA issues)