How to use oddjobs.im
as 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.

Customers always free - create an account, post jobs, receive responses, and message tradies at no charge. Membership deals and promo price tags you might see on the site are for tradespeople only.

After you register as a customer you use the customer dashboard. OJ Bot lives there too - click him and Ask OJ for how-to help (he only answers customer-side questions from your dashboard).

1. Register and log in

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

Add a profile photo, phone and location under Profile when you can. Tradies trust complete profiles more.

Prefer another language? Use the flag switcher in the header when multiple languages are enabled - the site can serve translated public pages and UI chrome.

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 - strong 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 reviewed (including automated and AI-assisted checks) before it goes fully live. You’ll see it under My jobs.

Stuck on wording? Open Ask OJ and say what you need done - he can help draft a title and description (you still 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.

If you ask OJ “how many jobs do I have?”, he uses your live dashboard counts and can open My jobs.

4. Estimates and responses

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

• Compare prices, notes and dates side by side.
• Open letterheaded estimate PDFs from Pro/Elite tradies when attached.
• 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.

5. Messages

Use in-platform Messages to chat with a tradie about scope, access or dates. Keep important details here instead of WhatsApp so you have a record. OJ can open Messages for you if you ask.

Turn on email or push alerts under Communications if you want notified of new replies.

6. Profile

Update name display, avatar, phone and location under Profile. Save when finished. A clear profile helps tradies know who they’re dealing with.

7. Ask OJ Bot (customer brain)

OJ Bot is the floating helper on your customer dashboard. Click him to open 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).

He will not take passwords, card numbers or other people’s data. Common FAQs and his published “brain” answers are free. Open-ended smart questions may use AI and count toward a daily smart-question limit (you’ll see when you’re close to the cap).

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

From time to time the homepage or register page may show a cheeky offer price tag (for example a discounted monthly plan). That is for tradie 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 they were given on the tradie path.

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 forever. Pay the tradesperson directly for the work. The platform earns from tradie subscriptions (and optional promotions for those plans), not from your job.