Clutch Guarantee: The Risk-Free Way to Hire a Provider

The Hidden Risk in Hiring a Service Provider

Sometimes, hiring a service provider can feel like a leap of faith. You commit the budget, sign a contract, and trust that the provider can deliver, even when you have no way to know for certain. The stakes can be high, putting your budget, reputation, and project timeline on the line.

And if the partnership doesn’t work out, the costs can go beyond the fees you’ve already paid. You may also lose weeks or months of valuable time before you can find another provider and get the project back on track.

That’s why we created  Clutch Guarantee — a 14-day, no-questions-asked refund guarantee from eligible Clutch providers. If a buyer isn't satisfied within the first 14 days, they can cancel in writing and get 100% of the eligible project fees back.

“For years, Clutch has helped buyers answer this question: can this provider deliver? Verified reviews answer it by showing how a provider performed for other clients. But the next question, whether a provider is the right fit for your team and project, only gets answered once you start working together. Clutch Guarantee lets buyers get that answer early, before the budget is committed and months are lost. Providers who offer it put their own fees behind their work, which says more than any pitch.”

The result is a lower-risk way to start a new provider relationship, giving buyers the opportunity to evaluate the partnership before they’re too far into the project to turn back. 

What Clutch Guarantee Actually Is

Clutch Guarantee is a commitment from participating providers that’s built directly into their contract. Providers who offer Clutch Guarantee, agree to include a 14-day cancellation clause, giving buyers the option to cancel in writing and receive a full refund.

When you hire a provider with the Guarantee badge, you’re covered automatically. There’s nothing to activate.

How It Works

Clutch Guarantee is designed to fit seamlessly into the hiring process. Here’s what to expect when you choose a provider with the Clutch Guarantee badge.

Step 1: Look for the Guarantee Badge

Start by finding a provider with the Clutch Guarantee badge, located at the top of the provider’s profile and directory cards. The badge indicates that the provider has opted into the program and agreed to its terms.

Step 2: Confirm the Guarantee in your contract

The Guarantee clause is built into your contract from day one. Before signing, confirm that the clause is included to ensure your cancellation and refund protections are in place. If the clause is missing, ask the provider about it before you sign.

Step 3: Decide within 14 days

The 14-day period begins on your Project Start Date, which is the date of your kickoff meeting. If no kickoff meeting is scheduled, the period will begin on the start date specified in your contract. If neither a project kickoff meeting nor a written project start date exists, the Project Start Date shall default to the date of execution of this Agreement.

If you decide the partnership isn’t working, you can cancel by sending a written cancellation request to the provider. Sending it in writing creates a clear record that you acted within the window. The provider must then issue your refund within 15 business days of receiving the cancellation request.

The 14-day Window: What's Covered and What's Not

Clutch Guarantee covers 100% of the eligible project fees you’ve paid. It does not cover fees for work outside the scope of the guaranteed project, third-party costs, or payments made under a separate agreement between the buyer and provider.

Clutch Guarantee only applies during the 14-day cancellation period. Once that period ends, it no longer applies to the engagement, so buyers cannot use it to cancel the project or request a refund under the Guarantee.

If you cancel and receive a refund, you'll need to stop using any work the provider delivered during the 14-day window and return or delete it, depending on what the provider asks. Anything you brought to the engagement yourself stays yours. 

Why Only Some Providers Offer It

Not every provider offers the Clutch Guarantee. Participation requires providers to make a written commitment to honor the Guarantee, including its 14-day cancellation and refund terms.

That commitment makes Clutch Guarantee more than just a badge. Participating providers are willing to put their own money behind an engagement, demonstrating their confidence in the value they deliver and the quality of their work. 

What Happens if a Provider Doesn't Come Through

If a provider doesn’t honor your refund, you and the provider must first try to resolve the issue directly and in good faith. If you’re unable to reach a resolution, the dispute will move to binding arbitration through New Era ADR, which will be resolved within 30 days of filing. The provider will also cover all arbitration fees.

You can also bring unresolved refund issues to Clutch, and we can help open an arbitration case with New Era ADR. However, it’s important to note that Clutch is not a party to the contract, doesn't hold or move funds, and has no impact on the outcome.

The provider will also be at risk of losing Clutch Verified and Clutch Guaranteed status. 

The Risk-Free Way to Hire a Provider

Hiring a service provider can be wrought with uncertainty, but Clutch Guarantee can make the decision feel less like a gamble. It gives you room to evaluate the relationship, the work, and the fit before you commit to the engagement long-term.

Learn more about Clutch Guarantee
 

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