Trust & Safety
What Happens If Something Goes Wrong on a Job
By TaskForce · · 2 min read
The 48-hour review window, how disputes are decided, and what to do if a contractor does not show up.
Most jobs on TaskForce finish without a hitch. When one does not, there is a clear process that protects both the client and the contractor. This article explains it.
The 48-hour review window
When a contractor finishes, they mark the job as done. From that moment you have 48 hours to review the work. You can confirm it, which completes the job, or raise a dispute if something is wrong. If the window passes with no action, the job completes automatically and the contractor's earnings are released into their next payout. So check the work promptly.
Raising a dispute
If the work is not what was agreed, raise a dispute from your Activity page and explain what is wrong. The job's payout is paused while it is reviewed.
How disputes are decided
- Our team reads both sides of the story.
- We review the original job brief, the accepted offer and the full chat transcript between you and the contractor.
- We decide to either release the payment to the contractor or refund the client.
- Both parties are notified of the outcome.
The chat history is usually the most important evidence, which is why we recommend agreeing everything in the platform chat. Our team can only read conversations, never post in them.
If the contractor cancels or disappears
A contractor can cancel an assigned job, in which case you are refunded and they receive a penalty against their future earnings. Cancelling three times flags a contractor's account for review. If a contractor simply stops responding, jobs that run well past their deadline are flagged automatically, and our team can cancel them on your behalf with a full gateway refund.
If you want to cancel
You can cancel an Open job at any time at no cost. If you have already paid, the refund depends on timing: within 24 hours of payment and before work has started you get an automatic refund minus the LKR 150 gateway fee. After that, TaskForce helps both sides reach a resolution. The details are in our guide to payments and refunds.
How to avoid problems in the first place
- Write a clear job brief with photos and specifics.
- Confirm the scope, price and timing in the chat before work starts.
- Keep all communication on the platform.
- Review completed work within the 48-hour window.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to raise a dispute?
You have 48 hours from the moment the contractor marks the job as done.
Who decides a dispute?
The TaskForce team, after reviewing the job details, the accepted offer and the chat transcript.
What if I miss the 48-hour window?
The job completes automatically and the contractor is paid. If you have a serious concern after that point, contact support and we will look into it.
Can I get a refund if the contractor never turns up?
Yes. Contact support and our team can cancel the job and issue a refund.