How to use oddjobs.imas a customer

What oddjobs.im does for customers

oddjobs.im connects Isle of Man customers with verified local tradespeople. You post a job for free. Tradies respond with interest, a site visit offer, or a priced estimate. You compare, chat on the platform, then award one winner and pay them directly. We never take a cut of the job price.

Free customer account - create an account, post jobs free, receive responses, and message tradies with no membership fee to join. Membership deals and promo price tags you might see on the site are for tradespeople only.

After you register you use the customer dashboard. Need a hand? Use the in-app How to, or click the floating OJ helper and Ask OJ for step-by-step help with posting jobs, estimates and messages.

1. Register and log in

1. Go to Register and choose the customer option (not the tradesperson card - that path has membership plans).
2. Verify your email if asked, then log in.
3. Open your customer dashboard - home for jobs, estimates, messages and profile.

Add a profile photo, phone and location under Profile when you can. Complete profiles get better engagement.

Prefer another language? Use the flag switcher in the header when multiple languages are enabled.

2. Post a job

In the dashboard open Post a job.

• Title - short and clear (e.g. “Leaking kitchen tap in Douglas”).
• Description - what’s wrong, access notes, preferred times.
• Photos - clear photos get better estimates.
• Category / trade and location.
• How tradies should reply:
  • Estimates - when photos are enough for a price.
  • Site visit - when someone needs to look first (you can shortlist up to three visits).
  • Interest - see who is free and keen, then chat or convert to a visit/estimate.

Submit the job. It may be checked before it goes fully live. You’ll see it under My jobs.

Stuck on wording? Open Ask OJ and describe the work - he can help draft a title and description (you still review and submit).

3. My jobs

My jobs lists jobs you’ve posted: pending review, open, or closed. Open a job to see status, responses and next steps. Filter if the list is long.

From a job you can usually update details while it’s open, follow responses, and close it when the work is awarded or you no longer need quotes.

4. Estimates and responses

When tradies reply, check Estimates (or open the job). You can:

• Compare prices, notes and dates side by side.
• Open estimate PDFs when a tradie has attached one.
• Shortlist site visits (maximum three) when that mode applies.
• Accept one estimate when you’re ready - that awards the work to that tradie.
• Decline or pass on others as needed.

You are never charged by oddjobs.im to receive or accept estimates. After you accept, use Messages to agree access, timing and payment details with the tradie. You pay the tradesperson directly - not through the platform.

5. Messages

Use in-platform Messages to chat with a tradie about scope, access or dates. Keeping important details here gives you a record.

Turn on email or push alerts under Communications if you want notified of new replies. You can also message support from Help & support when something goes wrong.

6. Profile & account

Update name display, avatar, phone and location under Profile. Save when finished.

Under Communications, choose how you want to hear about new messages and estimates. Use the same area (or account tools on your dashboard) if you need to change password or review notification preferences.

7. Ask OJ (in-app helper)

On your dashboard, the floating OJ helper opens Ask OJ. He can:

• Answer how-to questions about posting jobs, estimates and messages.
• Point you at the right section (Post a job, My jobs, Estimates, Profile).
• Help word a job title or description (you still review and submit).

Do not share passwords, card numbers or other people’s private details with OJ. Everyday how-to help is free; some open-ended questions may use a limited daily allowance of smarter AI answers (you’ll see a notice if you’re near the cap).

For a full written guide anytime, open the dashboard How to (same content as this page).

8. Deals, price tags and “% off” banners

From time to time the homepage or register page may show an offer price tag (for example a discounted monthly plan). That is for tradesperson memberships only.

• Customers always create accounts and post jobs free - no card, no plan, no promo code needed.
• If a friend is a tradie, they register as a tradesperson and use any promo / referral link on the tradesperson path.

9. Safety & good practice

• Keep chat and job details on oddjobs.im until you’re happy with who you’re hiring.
• Agree the work, price and access clearly before the visit.
• Pay the tradesperson directly for the job - the platform does not take a cut of job payments.
• If something feels wrong, stop and contact support from your dashboard.

Tips for better responses

• Clear photos and a specific title beat vague posts.
• Say if the job is urgent or flexible on dates.
• Reply promptly in Messages so tradies stay engaged.
• Award only when you’re happy with price and notes - you choose one winner.

Cost for customers

Posting jobs, receiving responses and messaging on oddjobs.im is free for customers. Pay the tradesperson directly for the work. Membership plans you see advertised are for tradespeople, not for you.