How AlongSide Works
Start to Finish

Describe what you want to do — change your brakes, reef tank setup, learn to weld — and post it to the gig board. The moment you post, AlongSide suggests qualified providers matched to your gig — invite them directly, or let providers in your area apply with tiered offers. You can also skip the post and message a provider straight from their profile.

Providers submit offers with tiered engagement levels: Talk through it, Work alongside, Take the lead, or Handle it completely. Each tier has its own price. You'll get an email the moment an offer lands.

Review the provider's pitch, portfolio, and pricing. Accept any tier, send a counter-offer to negotiate price, or decline. The negotiation stays in the app until both sides agree.

Once you accept an offer, a pending booking is created and the provider is notified. The provider reviews and confirms. You both get a confirmation email with the full session details.

After confirmation, you authorize payment. Your card is held — not charged — until the session is marked complete. Free sessions skip this step entirely.

Show up, do the work, ask every question. The provider guides, demonstrates, or works alongside you depending on the tier you chose. You leave with real skills and a completed project.

After the provider marks the session complete, both parties receive a review request. Seekers rate the provider on expertise, teaching, communication, and value. Providers rate seekers on preparedness, communication, and respect.

48 hours after session completion, your held payment is captured and transferred to the provider's bank account. The provider receives an email confirmation. Disputes can be raised before the 48-hour window closes.