Terms of Service

Welcome to HELM. These Terms of Service (the “Terms”) are a legal agreement between you and HELM, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“HELM,” “we,” “us,” “our”), and govern your access to and use of the HELM website, apps, and services (the “Platform”). By creating an account, booking, or otherwise using the Platform, you agree to these Terms, our Privacy Policy, and our Acceptable Use Policy.

HELM currently operates only in the United States. You must be at least 18 years old to use the Platform and to enter into a booking. Services that involve alcohol (where offered) require all participants being served to be 21 or older.

1. What HELM is

HELM is a marketplace that connects customers (“Members” or “hosts”) with independent hospitality professionals — private chefs and, over time, other providers (“Chefs” or “Providers”) — for private dining and special-occasion events. HELM is not a chef, caterer, or employer. Chefs are independent contractors who provide their services directly to hosts. HELM facilitates discovery, booking, payments, and communication, but is not a party to the service agreement between a host and a Chef.

2. Accounts

You are responsible for the accuracy of your account information and for all activity under your account. Keep your credentials confidential. Notify us promptly of any unauthorized use. We may suspend or terminate accounts that violate these Terms.

3. Bookings, pricing, and payments

When you request a booking, the price shown includes the Chef’s service fee, an estimated grocery/ingredient allowance, a HELM platform fee, and applicable taxes. Labor, platform-fee, and tax amounts are captured (“snapshotted”) at the time of booking. The grocery amount is an estimate that approved event receipts replace; it is not charged again on top of those receipts.

• Deposit. When a Chef accepts your booking, a deposit (currently 30% of the total) is charged to your saved payment method to confirm the reservation.
• Event true-up. After the event, HELM applies amounts already paid against labor, fees, tax, and approved event receipts, then charges only any remaining balance.
• Receipts and credits. Providers may submit supported event expenses during the displayed receipt window. You may approve the full displayed amount or ask HELM to review it. HELM may reduce or decline an expense under its reimbursement policy. Unused grocery-estimate credit is first available for timely receipts and is then returned to the original payment method after the window closes and all reviews are resolved.
• Platform fee. HELM charges a platform fee (currently 20%), included in the displayed total.
• Taxes. Applicable sales/services taxes are added as shown at checkout.

Payments and Chef payouts are processed by Stripe. By booking, you authorize HELM (via Stripe) to charge your payment method for the deposit, balance, any approved additional expenses, and any tip you elect to add. HELM does not store full card numbers.

4. Cancellations and refunds

Cancellations are reviewed by HELM to protect both hosts and Chefs. A cancellation fee may apply depending on how close to the event date you cancel (currently: no fee if cancelled at least 7 days before the event; otherwise a cancellation fee of up to 20% may apply). Approved refunds are returned to your original payment method.

5. Chefs and Providers (independent contractors)

If you offer services through HELM, you represent that you have the skills, licenses, permits, and insurance required to perform them lawfully. You are an independent contractor, not an employee or agent of HELM. You are responsible for your own taxes; HELM (via Stripe) may collect tax information (e.g., W-9) and issue tax forms (e.g., 1099-K) where required. You set your own services and pricing subject to Platform rules, and you agree to the payout terms (deposit/balance split, platform fee, and payout timing) presented to you.

6. Reviews, messages, and content

The Platform includes reviews, messaging between hosts and Chefs, and profile content. You are responsible for content you submit and must comply with our Acceptable Use Policy. You grant HELM a non-exclusive, worldwide license to host and display content you submit for the purpose of operating the Platform. HELM may moderate, remove, or redact content that violates these Terms.

7. Communications and SMS

By providing your phone number and opting in, you consent to receive transactional and (if separately elected) marketing text messages. See our SMS Terms. Message and data rates may apply. Reply STOP to opt out of texts and HELP for help.

8. Disclaimers

The Platform is provided “as is” and “as available.” HELM does not guarantee the quality, safety, or legality of services provided by Chefs, and does not guarantee that any booking will be fulfilled. To the fullest extent permitted by law, HELM disclaims all warranties, express or implied.

9. Limitation of liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, HELM will not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, or for any loss of profits or revenues, arising out of your use of the Platform. In addition, HELM’s total liability for any claims arising out of or relating to these Terms or the Platform will not exceed the greater of $100 or the amounts you paid to HELM for bookings in the twelve (12) months before the event giving rise to the claim. The foregoing limitations will not apply to the extent prohibited by applicable law.

10. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold HELM harmless from claims arising out of your use of the Platform, your content, or your violation of these Terms or applicable law.

11. Dispute resolution

Binding arbitration and class action waiver. Any dispute, claim, or controversy arising out of or relating to these Terms or the Platform will be resolved exclusively by binding arbitration administered by JAMS under its applicable rules, on an individual basis only; class, collective, or representative actions are not permitted. Either party may bring an individual claim in small-claims court of competent jurisdiction in Wilmington, Delaware.

You may opt out of arbitration within 30 days of accepting these Terms by emailing hello@itshelm.com with your name, the email associated with your account, and a clear statement that you opt out of arbitration.

12. Governing law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to conflict-of-laws rules. Delaware is the exclusive venue for any small-claims action.

13. Changes

We may update these Terms from time to time. Material changes will be communicated through the Platform, and continued use after the effective date constitutes acceptance.

14. Contact

Questions about these Terms: hello@itshelm.com.