SAFETY GUIDELINES

Last Updated: January 1, 2026

At ConstructionYardSale.com, safety is built into every part of the platform — from verified identities to escrow payments to our Release Code system. These guidelines exist to help you transact confidently and stay protected every step of the way.

Your Safety Is Our Priority

ConstructionYardSale.com is a verified, peer-to-peer marketplace. Every user has completed identity verification through Stripe before transacting. That said, no platform can eliminate all risk. Please read and follow these guidelines carefully — they are your best line of defense.

If you are ever in immediate danger, call 911. For platform safety concerns, contact us at safety@constructionyardsale.com.

For All Users

1. Inspect Before You Accept

Always thoroughly inspect construction materials, tools, or equipment in person before providing your Release Code to the seller. Verify that:

  • The item matches the listing photos and description
  • The quantity and condition are as advertised
  • There are no hidden defects, damage, or missing components
  • Any equipment is in the operating condition stated in the listing

Do not share your Release Code until you are fully satisfied with the goods. Once the code is shared, the sale is considered complete and funds are released to the seller. You cannot undo this action.

2. Keep All Communication On-Platform

For your security, keep all communication — including pricing, location details, scheduling, and negotiations — within the ConstructionYardSale.com messaging system. This protects you because:

  • Our system monitors for fraud and scam patterns
  • On-platform messages create a documented record for dispute resolution
  • Sharing personal contact information before initiating a transaction violates our Terms of Service and removes your protections

If a buyer or seller pressures you to communicate via text, email, WhatsApp, or any other channel before the transaction is complete, report it immediately.

3. Protect Your Payment — Always Use Escrow

Never pay a seller — or accept payment as a seller — outside of the ConstructionYardSale.com platform. This includes:

  • Wire transfers
  • Peer-to-peer apps (Venmo, Zelle, Cash App, PayPal Friends & Family)
  • Cryptocurrency
  • Cash before pickup
  • Personal checks

Our escrow system through Stripe Connect holds your funds securely until the Release Code is exchanged at pickup. This protects buyers from paying for goods they never receive, and protects sellers from fraudulent non-payment claims. Any transaction conducted outside the platform is entirely at your own risk and is not covered by our buyer or seller protections.

4. Recognize and Report Suspicious Activity

Trust your instincts. Common warning signs include:

  • A listing priced significantly below market value with no clear explanation
  • A seller or buyer who insists on communicating or transacting off-platform
  • Requests for payment before pickup or via non-platform methods
  • Pressure to skip the inspection step or share your Release Code early
  • Vague or inconsistent answers about item condition, location, or availability
  • A new account with no transaction history asking for unusual accommodations
  • Sellers who refuse to allow a reasonable in-person inspection before code exchange

If something feels wrong, do not proceed. Use the Report Listing or Report User buttons on any listing or profile page, or contact our Trust & Safety team directly at safety@constructionyardsale.com. We review all reports and respond within one business day.

When Buying

5. Arrange Safe Pickup Logistics

Construction materials often involve large quantities, heavy items, or awkward dimensions. Before confirming a pickup:

  • Confirm the exact pickup address and any access requirements in advance through the platform messaging system
  • Bring appropriate transportation — truck, trailer, or flatbed — sized for the items you are collecting
  • Bring any equipment you may need to load the materials (dollies, straps, moving blankets)
  • Bring a friend or colleague, especially for large or heavy pickups
  • Do not enter an active construction zone without authorization from the site supervisor
  • Wear appropriate PPE (hard hat, steel-toed boots, high-visibility vest) when entering job sites or industrial properties

Sellers are not responsible for loading or transport. Arrange your own help.

6. Visit During Daylight Hours

Whenever possible, schedule pickups during daylight hours in well-lit, accessible locations. If a pickup requires visiting a private residence or remote job site:

  • Share your pickup plan with someone you trust before you go
  • Let someone know the address, the seller's username, and your expected return time
  • Avoid pickups at night or in isolated locations, especially for high-value transactions

7. Verify the Seller Before You Go

Before traveling to a pickup location, take a moment to:

  • Review the seller's verified badge and transaction history
  • Read their ratings and reviews from past buyers
  • Confirm the listing details match what was discussed in the platform messages
  • Make sure the pickup address was shared through the platform — not via an outside channel

If anything has changed or doesn't add up, contact the seller through the platform to clarify before leaving.

When Selling

8. Protect Your Personal Information

Your home address or job site location is only revealed to a buyer after a transaction is initiated and funds are secured in escrow. To protect yourself:

  • Never share your address in listing descriptions, photos, or messages before a transaction is complete
  • Do not post photos that reveal identifiable location information (street signs, house numbers, business names) before a buyer has paid
  • Use the platform messaging system for all pre-transaction communication

9. Prepare for Safe Pickups

Make your pickup experience smooth and safe for both parties:

  • Confirm the pickup time and have the materials ready and accessible before the buyer arrives
  • Make sure the pickup area is safe, well-lit, and clear of hazards
  • If the pickup is at an active job site, inform the site supervisor and ensure the buyer has safe access
  • Have your platform app ready to confirm the Release Code exchange when the buyer arrives
  • Take time-stamped photos of the materials before and at the time of pickup as a record

10. Buyer No-Shows

If a buyer does not show up after initiating a transaction and coordinating a pickup location, date, and time, do not hand over any goods or make alternative arrangements outside the platform. You may attempt to reach the buyer through the platform messaging system to reschedule. Do not arrange any new meeting outside the platform.

If rescheduling fails or the buyer becomes unresponsive, contact our support team at help@constructionyardsale.com with your order information and we will review the situation. ConstructionYardSale.com reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to assess a no-show fee of up to 4% of the transaction value to the buyer. Any such fee will first be applied to cover platform costs and fees incurred as a result of the no-show. Any remaining balance may be remitted to the seller as determined by ConstructionYardSale.com in its sole discretion. No-show fees are not guaranteed and are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Prohibited and Hazardous Materials

Never list, sell, or attempt to purchase the following items on ConstructionYardSale.com:

  • Materials containing asbestos or lead-based paint
  • Unvented or unpurged pressurized tanks or cylinders
  • Recalled electrical components, appliances, or tools
  • Solvents, hazardous chemicals, or fuel-bearing equipment
  • Stolen materials or equipment
  • Weapons or modified tools

If you encounter a listing that appears to contain prohibited or hazardous materials, report it immediately using the Report Listing button or by emailing safety@constructionyardsale.com. Do not attempt to purchase or handle these materials.

How We Keep You Safe

ConstructionYardSale.com has built safety into the foundation of the platform:

  • Stripe identity verification highly encouraged for every user before they transact
  • Escrow payments that hold buyer funds until the Release Code is exchanged - no one gets paid until pickup is confirmed
  • Automated messaging monitoring that detects and flags attempts to share personal contact information before a transaction is initiated
  • Two-sided ratings and reviews tied exclusively to verified, completed transactions
  • Report and review system with a dedicated Trust & Safety team that responds within one business day

Contact Our Trust & Safety Team

Our team is here to help. If you have a safety concern, witness suspicious activity, or need assistance with a transaction:

We respond to all safety-related inquiries within one business day. For emergencies, always call 911 first.

ConstructionYardSale.com, LLC · Hartford County, Connecticut · info@constructionyardsale.com