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:

A conversation is created automatically
You're notified of their interest
Their initial message appears in the chat
You can respond immediately

Viewing Your Conversations

Go to Messages in the navigation
See all active conversations
Click on any to open and respond

Messaging Contractors

Sending a Message

Open the conversation
Type your message in the text box
Click Send or press Enter

Adding Attachments

Share photos or files:

Click the attachment icon (paperclip)
Select files from your device
Send with your message

Useful for sharing:

Photos of the issue
Documents
Reference images

Message Tips

Good questions to ask:

"Can you give me a rough estimate?"
"When would you be available?"
"Have you done this type of work before?"
"Can you provide references?"

Keep it professional:

Be clear and specific
Respond in a reasonable time
Keep messages relevant to the work

Managing Conversations

Conversation Status

Each conversation has a status:

Active: Ongoing discussion
Hired: You chose this contractor
Dismissed: You passed on this contractor
Closed: Conversation ended

Hiring from Chat

When you've decided on a contractor:

Open their conversation
Click "Hire" or "Hire This Contractor"
Confirm your choice

They'll be notified and can proceed with scheduling.

Dismissing Contractors

For contractors you won't hire:

Open their conversation
Click "Dismiss" or "Pass"
Optionally leave a reason

They're notified politely that you've chosen another option.

Muting Conversations

If you want to stop notifications without dismissing:

Open the conversation
Click the mute icon or "Mute"
You won't get notifications for new messages

Read Receipts

Know When Messages Are Read

BlueClerk tracks when messages are opened:

Sent: Your message was delivered
Read: They opened and saw it

This helps you know if you're being ignored or they just haven't seen it yet.

Conversation Best Practices

Be Responsive

Quick responses:

Show you're serious about the project
Keep the process moving
Help contractors plan their schedule

Be Clear

Avoid misunderstandings:

State exactly what you need
Ask direct questions
Confirm important details in writing

Keep Records

Messages are saved:

Reference past discussions
Document what was agreed
Protect yourself in disputes

Multiple Conversations

Talking to Several Contractors

It's okay to chat with multiple interested contractors:

Compare responses
Ask similar questions
See who communicates best
Don't commit until ready

Narrowing Down

As you decide:

Keep engaging with top choices
Dismiss those who aren't a fit
Make your decision when ready

Tips

Don't share sensitive info (SSN, banking) in chat
Keep conversations focused on the work
Take your time deciding - it's okay to think
Trust your gut about communication style
Document any pricing or commitments discussed

Common Questions

Q: Can I message contractors before they express interest? A: No, conversations start when contractors respond to your request.

Q: Are my messages private? A: Messages are between you and that contractor. Other contractors can't see them.

Q: What if a contractor is pushy or inappropriate? A: Dismiss them and report to BlueClerk support if needed.

Q: Can I reopen a dismissed conversation? A: Contact support if you need to reconnect with a dismissed contractor.

Q: Are messages saved after the job is done? A: Yes, conversation history is preserved for your records.

Chatting with Contractors