Notification Settings

Overview

Stay on top of new opportunities and customer messages with BlueClerk notifications. Configure how and when you receive alerts so you never miss important updates.

Types of Notifications

Job-Related

• New marketplace jobs - Jobs posted matching your services and area
• Job request received - Direct requests from customers
• Job request status - Accepted, declined, or changed
• Hired - When a homeowner chooses you

Message Notifications

• New messages - When homeowners or businesses send you messages
• Delivery options - Choose email, push notifications, or both

Configuring Your Preferences

Accessing Notification Settings

1. Click your profile icon in the top-right corner
2. Select "My Profile" from the dropdown
3. Scroll to the Notifications section

Email Preferences

Toggle email notifications on or off:

• Enable Email Notifications - Turn on to receive email alerts for new messages
• Disable - Turn off if you only want in-app or push notifications

When email notifications are enabled, you'll receive an email whenever:

• A homeowner sends you a message about a job request
• Someone replies to an existing conversation
• Important job-related updates occur

Push Notifications

Toggle push notifications on or off:

• Enable Push Notifications - Turn on to receive browser or mobile push alerts
• Disable - Turn off if you prefer email-only notifications

Push notifications appear as alerts on your device when:

• New messages arrive
• Job requests come in
• Important updates happen

Best Practices

Enable both for maximum responsiveness: Email and push notifications together ensure you never miss an opportunity.

Check spam folder: If you enable email notifications but don't receive them, check your spam or junk folder and mark BlueClerk emails as "not spam."

Turn off when on vacation: Disable notifications temporarily if you're not available to respond to new work requests.

Test your settings: After enabling, ask a team member to send you a test message to confirm notifications are working.

Privacy

Your notification preferences are personal - they only affect your account. Homeowners won't know whether you have notifications enabled or disabled.

Questions

Q: Can I get notifications for some conversations but not others? A: Currently, notification preferences apply to all messages. You can mute individual conversations from the chat view if you want to stop alerts for specific homeowners.

Q: Why am I not receiving email notifications? A: Check that email notifications are enabled in your profile settings, and verify your email address is correct. Also check your spam folder - sometimes notification emails get filtered incorrectly.

Q: Do push notifications work on mobile? A: Yes, if you access BlueClerk through a mobile browser and grant notification permissions when prompted.

Q: Will I still see messages if notifications are disabled? A: Yes! Disabling notifications only stops the alerts. You'll still see all messages when you log in to BlueClerk.

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ACTION: UPDATE FILENAME: homeowners/chatting-with-contractors.md CONTENT:

title: "Chatting with Contractors" category: "Homeowners" description: "Communicate with contractors about your projects"

Overview

Once contractors express interest in your job request, you can chat with them directly in BlueClerk. This lets you ask questions, discuss details, and decide who to hire - all in one place.

Starting Conversations

Automatic Conversation Creation

When a contractor expresses interest in your marketplace job request:

1. A conversation is created automatically
2. You're notified of their interest via email (if enabled) and in-app
3. Their initial message appears in the chat
4. You can respond immediately

Accessing Your Messages

1. Click "Messages" in the navigation
2. See all active conversations with contractors
3. Click any conversation to open and reply

Managing Notifications

Email Notifications

You can control whether you receive email alerts for new messages:

1. Click your profile icon in the top-right
2. Select "My Profile"
3. Scroll to Notifications section
4. Toggle "Enable Email Notifications" on or off

When enabled, you'll receive an email whenever a contractor sends you a message.

Push Notifications

Toggle push notifications separately:

1. Go to your profile settings
2. Find the Notifications section
3. Toggle "Enable Push Notifications" on or off

Push notifications appear as browser or mobile alerts when new messages arrive.

Chatting Effectively

What to Ask

Good questions help you evaluate contractors:

• Availability: "When could you start?"
• Experience: "Have you done this type of work before?"
• Timeline: "How long will it take?"
• Process: "What does the work involve?"
• Pricing: "Can you provide an estimate?"

Sharing Details

Help contractors give accurate quotes:

• Photos: Share additional images of the problem
• Measurements: Provide dimensions if relevant
• Access: Explain how they can access the work area
• Timing: Share your schedule constraints

Red Flags

Watch for warning signs:

• Unwilling to provide references
• Pressuring for immediate decision
• Refusing to put estimates in writing
• Poor communication or grammar
• Unusually low prices

Hiring from Chat

When You're Ready

Once you've decided on a contractor:

1. Open the conversation with your chosen contractor
2. Click "Hire Contractor" in the conversation view
3. Confirm the hiring decision

What Happens Next

After hiring:

• The contractor is notified
• They gain access to your full contact info
• You can coordinate start dates
• Work can begin

Message Features

Attachments

Share files and photos in chat:

1. Click the paperclip icon in the message input
2. Select a file from your device
3. Add an optional message
4. Send

Typing Indicators

See when contractors are typing a response - helps you know when to wait for their reply.

Read Receipts

Messages show when they've been read by the contractor.

Privacy and Safety

What Contractors See

Before you hire them:

• Your first name only
• The job request details
• Messages you send in chat

After you hire them:

• Your full name
• Phone number
• Email address
• Property address

Staying Safe

• Keep conversations in BlueClerk until you hire someone
• Don't share personal financial information
• Report suspicious behavior to BlueClerk support
• Verify contractor licenses and insurance

Managing Conversations

Muting Notifications

If a conversation is getting too many messages:

1. Open the conversation
2. Click the bell icon at the top
3. Select "Mute"

You'll stop receiving notifications for that conversation but can still read messages.

Finding Old Conversations

All conversations stay in your Messages section. Use the search box to find conversations by contractor name or job description.

Questions

Q: Can I chat with multiple contractors at once? A: Yes! You can have active conversations with as many contractors as express interest in your job.

Q: Do I have to hire someone I'm chatting with? A: No. Chatting doesn't obligate you to hire anyone. Take your time to evaluate your options.

Q: What if a contractor doesn't respond? A: If you don't hear back within a day or two, message another contractor from those who expressed interest.

Q: Can I share my phone number before hiring? A: You can, but we recommend keeping communication in BlueClerk until you're ready to hire. This protects your privacy and keeps a record of all conversations.

Q: Why am I not getting email notifications for messages? A: Check your profile notification settings to ensure email notifications are enabled. Also check your spam folder in case messages were filtered incorrectly.