For Customers

Just Starting Out is an online service provider that enables new business owners (professionals) to advertise their company to the general public (customers). Services are usually offered at reduced price, or are sometimes free of charge.

Customers can search for a particular service (e.g. a hairdresser) on our website or app, or, may want to browse all services in a particular area. Customers can also ‘post a job’ (e.g. ‘hairdresser wanted’), which will automatically notify registered professionals who match the service criteria.

Yes, Just Starting Out is completely free for customers to use.

This is dependent on the requirements of the service provided, and should be discussed and agreed with the professional before any services are carried out. Many professionals advertise their Just Starting Out hourly rate on their profile for you to consider/compare. Other professionals advise that charges are dependent on service requirements and can be negotiated.

At the same time as endeavouring to support all new businesses; Just Starting Out upholds a duty of care towards all users through ensuring a robust professional registration process. There are particular professions where qualifications are advantageous but not essential (dog walking services, for example), and others whereby qualifications are imperative (building services, for example).

Upon registration, professionals are able to indicate whether they are qualified (and if so, for how long they have held a relevant qualification), awaiting certification, currently studying, or unqualified. Professionals are also able to upload qualification certificates to their profile gallery, for customers to view. To safeguard all Just Starting Out users, we regret that there are a number of professions whereby only qualified professionals are able to register.

Yes. All professionals who register with us have confirmed that they hold, or will hold, appropriate business insurance before they perform their first service. Many professionals choose to upload a certificate of business insurance for customers to view. Just Starting Out does not independently verify insurance documents; presence on a profile reflects the professional's self-declaration.

Where a profession requires it, professionals must confirm they hold a valid DBS (or equivalent) check before they can accept customer enquiries or jobs through Just Starting Out. Professionals may also upload or declare check details on their profile. Just Starting Out does not carry out DBS checks and does not independently verify certificates; a check shown on a profile means the professional has confirmed it. If a background check matters to you, we recommend asking to see the original document in person.

This is what we love to hear! There are many ways in which customers can support professionals after receiving a good service. These include writing a testimonial, telling friends and family (spreading word-of-mouth), providing a rating/review through our platform, or allowing the professional to take photographs of the service that they have provided for marketing purposes (images for their business website, etc.). We would encourage you to speak directly to the professional in order to find out how best you could support their new business.

This does not make us so happy, and we are sorry to hear that you are not satisfied with the service you have received. As Just Starting Out is a connection platform, we accept no responsibility for the outcome of services provided. We would strongly advise you to discuss the matter with the professional who has provided the service, and try to reach a mutual agreement and fair outcome. If, however, after 14 days have passed and an outcome has not been reached, you can submit a formal complaint by reading our complaint policy and subsequently completing our complaint form.

No. Customers can get in touch with as many professionals as they wish to.

There are several points you may wish to consider when viewing professional profiles:

We are sorry to hear that your service search has been unsuccessful. We would advise you to ensure that the information you have entered is accurate (your postcode, for example). You may also want to consider widening your search radius, or, posting a job for professionals to view.

This refers to a service that can be performed from any location, (professionals who provide a service but who you do not necessarily need to meet in person, for example, a website designer).

Absolutely not! At Just Starting Out, you're always in control. You decide which professionals to contact and when - we never share or sell your information to third parties. Your peace of mind is our priority, and that's just how we roll!