Terms of Service

1. The Tradeyard Marketplace

Tradeyard is a marketplace platform that connects sellers of reclaimed building materials with buyers — primarily renovation contractors. Tradeyard provides the platform, grading standard (TGS-1), and reputation infrastructure. Tradeyard is not a party to transactions between buyers and sellers and does not take title to any materials listed on the platform.

By creating an account, you agree to these Terms of Service and our Privacy Policy.

2. Seller responsibilities

Sellers are solely responsible for the accuracy of listing information, including material grade, dimensions, quantity, condition description, and provenance. Sellers certify that listed materials are available, accurately described, and that they have the right to sell them.

Sellers who self-assign a grade under TGS-1 accept that buyer-verified disputes may result in reputation score deductions. A reduction of 10 points is applied when Tradeyard determines a grade was materially misrepresented. Sellers with rep scores below 40 are subject to listing suspension.

Sellers are responsible for compliance with applicable laws governing the sale of reclaimed materials, including disclosure of any known hazardous materials (asbestos, lead paint, PCBs).

3. Transaction fees

Tradeyard charges sellers a transaction fee on completed sales: 5% on transactions under $5,000 (total transaction value); 10% on transactions of $5,000 or above. Yard Owner plan members receive reduced rates of 4% and 8% respectively.

Fees are invoiced to the seller after both parties confirm transaction completion. Listing is free on all plans. Buyers are never charged a platform fee.

Transactions are confirmed when both buyer and seller acknowledge the handoff of materials. Disputed confirmations are reviewed by Tradeyard within 5 business days.

4. Grading standard (TGS-1)

The Tradeyard Grading Standard (TGS-1) defines three structural grades: G-A (Structural), G-B (Standard Reclaimed), and G-C (Salvage Only). The standard is published at tradeyard.io/about.

Grade A certification with inspector backing does not constitute a structural engineering report. Buyers who intend to use materials in permitted construction must obtain independent engineering sign-off as required by their local jurisdiction. Tradeyard's inspector certification is a marketplace trust mechanism, not a substitute for professional engineering services.

Optional warranties associated with Grade A and B listings are issued by certified salvage inspectors, not by Tradeyard. Tradeyard is not responsible for warranty claims.

5. Prohibited uses

You may not use Tradeyard to: (a) list materials that contain undisclosed hazardous substances; (b) submit false grades or provenance information; (c) manipulate rep scores through fake transactions; (d) list stolen materials; (e) use the platform for purposes other than legitimate reclaimed materials commerce; (f) scrape, copy, or republish Tradeyard data for competing services.

Violation of these prohibitions may result in immediate account termination and, where applicable, referral to law enforcement.

6. Limitation of liability

Tradeyard provides the marketplace platform on an "as is" basis. Tradeyard is not responsible for the accuracy of seller listings, the condition of materials on pickup, or disputes between buyers and sellers.

To the maximum extent permitted by law, Tradeyard's total liability to any user for claims arising from these Terms or the use of the platform shall not exceed the greater of (a) the total fees paid by the user to Tradeyard in the 12 months preceding the claim, or (b) $500.

Tradeyard is not liable for indirect, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages arising from use of the platform, including lost profits, lost materials, project delays, or inspection failures.

7. Dispute resolution

Disputes between buyers and sellers regarding grade accuracy, quantity, or transaction completion are reviewed by Tradeyard within 5 business days. Tradeyard's determination of rep score adjustments following a dispute is final.

Disputes between users and Tradeyard regarding these Terms shall be resolved by binding arbitration under JAMS Rules in Michigan. Class action waivers apply.

You may opt out of arbitration within 30 days of account creation by emailing legal@tradeyard.io.

8. Changes to these Terms

Tradeyard may update these Terms with 30 days' written notice to your registered email address. Continued use of the platform after the effective date constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms. If you do not agree to the changes, you may close your account.

Contact

Questions about these Terms: legal@tradeyard.io Tradeyard, Inc.