Help & FAQ
Questions, answered
Everything you need to know about ConsultSmart, the platform, payments, and trust.
Popular questions
How are consultants verified on ConsultSmart?
Every consultant goes through a 3-step verification: identity (PAN + Aadhaar), credentials (LinkedIn + employer verification), and portfolio review. Profiles with the ✓ badge have completed all three.
What does escrow protect me from?
You fund each milestone into our escrow account before work starts. Funds release to the consultant only when you approve the deliverable. If quality is unacceptable, you can raise a dispute and our team mediates.
Are there platform fees for clients?
Browsing and posting are free. We charge consultants a commission (8% Free / 5% Pro / 3% Elite) per completed engagement. The price you see is the price you pay.
What if my consultant doesn't deliver?
Raise a dispute within 7 days of milestone submission. Our trust team reviews evidence from both sides and decides on refund / partial release / rework within 72 hours.
Can I work with consultants outside India?
Yes. ConsultSmart supports global consultants via Stripe (USD/EUR/GBP) and PayPal. You can filter by location preference when searching.
How do refunds work?
Refunds are tied to milestones and disputes — funds held in escrow can be released back if a milestone is unfulfilled. Approved refunds are processed to your original payment method within 5-7 business days.
Is my data secure?
TLS 1.3 in transit, AES-256 at rest. We're DPDPA 2023 + GDPR compliant. SOC 2 Type II audit in progress (Q4 2026).
Can I bring my own consultant to ConsultSmart?
Yes! Invite them via our referral link. Both you and the consultant get ₹2,000 in platform credits when their first engagement completes.
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