Overview of Job Stages
Every job on HelperGen follows a defined lifecycle. Understanding these stages helps both job posters and service providers know what to expect, what actions to take, and when payment will be processed.
Stages: Draft → Active → Accepted → In Progress → Completed → Paid
Cancellations and disputes can occur at various points and follow their own sub-processes.
Stage 1: Job Posted
Job poster action: Creates and publishes a job (AI assistant or manual form).
- Public posting is free (no Gen Points); optional Private Jobs cost the displayed fee
- Public jobs appear in Available Jobs for matching providers; private jobs appear only for providers with access
- The job poster can edit any detail until the first application arrives
- Status: Active
Stage 2: Applications and Selection
Provider action: Providers browse, find the job, and submit applications with proposed rates and start times.
Job poster action: Reviews applications, messages candidates, and selects one provider by clicking Accept.
- All other applications are automatically closed
- The accepted provider is notified
- The job poster and provider can now message each other directly
- Status: Accepted
Stage 3: Job In Progress
Provider action: Arrives at the job location, optionally shares GPS location, and updates the job status to In Progress.
- The job poster can track the provider's real-time location
- The provider can upload progress photos
- Both parties can message throughout the job
- Status: In Progress
Stage 4: Completion and Payment
Provider action: Completes the work and generates a Quick Pay Code (or marks the job complete from their device).
Job poster action: Enters the Quick Pay Code or confirms completion, then authorizes payment.
- Payment is processed by Stripe
- HelperGen deducts its 13% platform fee (10% for Gold Helper providers)
- The estimated Stripe processing fee (2.9% + $0.30) is added separately
- Applicable tax is calculated on the combined platform and processing fees
- Provider receives the net amount in their Stripe account within 2–7 business days
- Status: Completed
Stage 5: Feedback and Ratings
Both parties are prompted to leave feedback:
Job poster: Rates the provider 1–5 stars and writes an optional review. Provider: Optionally rates the job poster and provides feedback.
Ratings affect the provider's badge status and search ranking. Reviews appear publicly on the provider's profile. Both parties receive a notification when a review is posted.
Cancellations and Disputes
If problems arise at any stage:
- Mutual cancellation: Either party can request a mutual cancellation. Both must agree. No penalty applies if both agree.
- Provider absent: Starting 20 minutes after the scheduled time, the job poster can report the provider. This creates an active provider record and a 14-day No Show badge; both parties are notified.
- Job poster absent: Starting 20 minutes after the scheduled time, the provider can submit a separate pending report. The job poster has 24 hours to act. Disagreement or no response starts the immediate late-cancellation penalty dispute path.
- Offline dispute: HelperGen preserves job evidence for external resolution. No-show late-cancellation disputes start immediately and do not use the normal 72-hour voluntary payment window.
- Payment dispute: If a payment is incorrect or unauthorized, a payment dispute can be filed within 7 days of the payment date.