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Refund Policy

Refunds, Cancellations & Payout Policy — Engineers

Effective Date: 21.08.2025

This policy explains how refunds, cancellations, and payouts work for projects facilitated through Lightful (“Lightful”, “we”, “our”), a brand operated by the legal entity Zinātniski Pētnieciskā Saimniecība Sigulda SIA. It applies to engineers providing services on the platform. (Client-facing terms are published separately.)

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1) Scope & Roles
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  • Lightful provides the marketplace, escrow, and dispute mediation.

  • Clients purchase services from Engineers.

  • Payments are pre-funded into escrow and released per this policy and the project agreement.

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2) Services Purchased via Lightful

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Typical services include (non-exhaustive): lighting design and documentation, compliance checks (e.g., EN 12464, BREEAM-aligned requirements), consulting, tender packs, drawings, calculations, and author supervision.

  • After escrow release (client approval or automatic release—see §4), the transaction is final and non-refundable, except where required by law.

  • Digital consultations once delivered are non-refundable.

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3) Cancellations

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  • Before work starts: Client may cancel for a full refund of escrow; no payout to Engineer (non-recoverable payment processor fees may be deducted).

  • After work starts but before first deliverable/milestone submission: Client may request cancellation; Lightful may approve a partial refund based on documented work performed/time & materials in the proposal.

  • After a deliverable/milestone is submitted: See Disputes & Revisions (§5).

 

Engineer no-show / non-start: If the Engineer does not commence work by the agreed start date and does not communicate a justified delay, the Client may cancel for a full refund; Lightful may apply account penalties/suspension.

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4) Escrow, Approvals & Payouts

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  • Client funds the agreed amount into escrow at project start (or per milestone).

  • When the Engineer submits a deliverable/milestone, the Client has an Acceptance Window of 7 calendar days (unless otherwise agreed in writing in the project).

    • Approve: Escrow for that milestone is released to the Engineer.

    • Request changes / Dispute: Proceed under §5.

    • No response: If the Client neither approves nor disputes within the window, Lightful may auto-release the escrow.

  • Payout timing: Released funds are queued for payout; bank arrival depends on the payout method/region.

  • KYC/AML: Lightful may require identity and tax verification before payouts.

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5) Disputes & Revisions

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  • Dispute window: Within 7 calendar days of delivery, the Client may open a dispute if the work does not match the agreed scope.

  • Engineer response: Within 2 business days, provide clarifications and a plan (e.g., corrections within scope).

  • Mediation: If unresolved, Lightful mediates using the project brief, messages, files, and scope. Outcomes may include:

    • Approval and release;

    • Partial refund to Client and partial payout to Engineer;

    • Full refund to Client (e.g., non-delivery or material deviation from scope).

 

Revisions: Unless the project terms state otherwise, one round of reasonable, in-scope revisions is expected. Out-of-scope requests require a change order and new funding.

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6) Non-Refundable Items

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  • Lightful commission and payment processing fees are non-refundable once escrow is released or a refund is processed (to the extent fees are not recoverable from the processor).

  • In-app purchases / freemium upgrades (e.g., profile boosts, premium tools) are non-refundable once delivered/activated, except where required by law.

  • Taxes, FX, and bank charges are not controlled by Lightful and are not refundable.

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7) Chargebacks

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Initiating a chargeback outside this policy may result in account suspension. Lightful will provide documentation to the payment provider; the outcome is determined by that provider’s rules.

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8) Communications & Records

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All project-critical communications (scope, deadlines, approvals) should occur within Lightful. Off-platform agreements are not covered by escrow or this policy.

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9) Governing Law

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This policy is governed by the laws of Latvia. Venue: Rīga, Latvia. Mandatory consumer rights (where applicable) are not limited by this policy.

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10) Contact for Refunds & Support

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Email: support (at) lightful.eu (include project ID, dates, and a clear summary)

Zinātniski Pētnieciskā Saimniecība Sigulda SIA
Registration no. 40203316085
Institūta iela 6A - 1, Sigulda, Siguldas novads, LV-2150, Latvia

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