Text Messaging Policy
Last updated: 6 October 2026
Settles is field service software for contractors. Text messaging is not yet switched on for anyone: it launches once our carrier registration is approved, and this policy describes how it will work when it does. Where text messaging is switched on, it is used only to tell people about work that already involves them. We do not send marketing or promotional texts, and we never sell, rent, or share phone numbers.
Plain-language summary, with the detail below:
- Two kinds of people receive texts: a contractor's own crew, and a contractor's own clients.
- A client is never texted without express written consent, recorded with the exact wording they were shown.
- Reply STOP to any message to be removed immediately.
- Message and data rates may apply from the recipient's own carrier.
Who receives messages
Crew members. People employed by a contractor who uses Settles. They receive messages about their own shifts and jobs, as part of their employment.
A contractor's clients. Only where that client has given express written consent to be texted by that contractor. These are transactional messages about their own invoices and appointments.
Each contractor messages only their own crew and their own clients. One contractor can never message another contractor's contacts.
How people consent
Crew members add their own mobile number to their profile inside Settles, and their employer chooses which work events are texted. A crew member who does not want texts leaves the number off their profile, or replies STOP to any message.
Clients must give express consent before any text is sent to them, in one of two ways: the client ticks "Text messages" in their own client portal, or the contractor reads them the same wording and records that they agreed by phone or in person. Either way, Settles stores the exact wording, the date and time, and (for the portal) the IP address it came from. The wording is: "I agree to receive text messages from [business name] about my appointments, invoices and payments at this number. Message frequency varies. Message and data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to opt out." Without a stored consent record, the system refuses to send. This is enforced in the software, not by policy alone.
Consent is per contractor. Agreeing to hear from one contractor does not opt a person in to messages from any other.
What the messages say
These are the actual message templates. Nothing else is sent.
To a crew member, about their own work:
Petr's Landscaping: Dale, you're on Snow clearing at 9820 104 Ave NW on Fri 14 Nov at 7:00 AM. Details in the app.Petr's Landscaping: schedule change. Snow clearing is now Sat 15 Nov at 8:00 AM. Check the app.Petr's Landscaping: Lawn mowing at 283 Westridge Rd NW starts at 10:00 AM.
To a client who has consented, about their own appointments, quotes and invoices:
Petr's Landscaping: invoice #1042 for $315.00 is ready. Pay here: settles.ca/invoice/xxxx Reply STOP to opt out.Petr's Landscaping: a reminder that invoice #1042 for $315.00 is past due. Pay here: settles.ca/invoice/xxxx Reply STOP to opt out.Petr's Landscaping: reminder, Lawn mowing tomorrow (Wed, Oct 7) at 9:00 AM, 283 Westridge Rd NW. Reply to change it. Reply STOP to opt out.Petr's Landscaping: your quote for Spring cleanup is $240.00. View and accept: settles.ca/quote/xxxx Reply STOP to opt out.Petr's Landscaping: could you reply to this text with a few photos of the area? It helps us give you an accurate price. Reply STOP to opt out.Petr's Landscaping: payment of $315.00 received. Paid in full, thank you. Reply STOP to opt out.Petr's Landscaping: Lawn mowing at 283 Westridge Rd NW is done. Thank you! Reply with any questions. Reply STOP to opt out.
Most contractors text from a shared Settles number, which does not take replies: anyone who replies gets an automatic text saying replies are not read and to contact the business directly, and those texts give the business's phone number instead of asking for a reply. A contractor on the Elite plan can have a number of its own; replies to that number, and any photos attached, go to that contractor only, and the contractor may answer by text about the same appointment, quote or invoice. Texts that ask for a reply (such as the photo request) are only ever sent from a contractor's own number.
Every message identifies the contractor sending it. Client messages carry opt-out wording.
How often
Messages are triggered by events, not sent on a schedule, so the volume follows the work. A crew member on a normal week receives a handful of messages. A client typically receives one message per invoice or quote, one reminder the day before a visit, and at most one payment reminder per week while an invoice is overdue.
Stopping messages
Reply STOP to any message to be removed. It takes effect immediately and needs no explanation. Reply START to allow messages again.
For a client, replying STOP does not cancel the underlying invoice or appointment, and it does not restore consent later. Consent has to be given again before any further message is sent.
Reply HELP for contact details, or write to support@settles.ca.
Costs
Settles does not charge the recipient for messages. Message and data rates may apply from the recipient's own mobile carrier.
Phone numbers and data
Phone numbers are used only to deliver the messages described here. They are never sold, rented, or shared for marketing, and they are not shared with third parties for those parties' own purposes. Our messaging provider processes messages on our behalf and for no other purpose.
The Privacy Policy covers how personal information is handled generally, and the Terms of Service cover the rest of the relationship.
Questions about this policy: support@settles.ca