How do I hire a provider for my job?

Elance allows you to easily review service providers’ proposals, communicate, hire, manage your project and send payments to service providers anywhere in the world.  

Elance collects a service fee from the service provider on their earnings, in accordance with our Terms of Service.  If a service provider asks you to go outside Elance to avoid paying Elance fees (which range between 6.75% and 8.75%), we ask that you report the violation (click here to report) and recommend that you choose a service provider that adheres to the Terms of Service.

You can select a service provider for your job at any time even before the period to submit proposals ends. You will have 90 days after the period to submit proposals ends, to hire a provider for your project before the posting automatically expires.  To hire a provider for your job, please follow the steps below.

1. Log in to the MyElance Main Menu.

If you are not logged in, enter your Elance username and password.

2. Click the Workrooms link in the left panel.

3. Click your project name or the number of proposals received to view the list of service providers and their proposals.

A service provider's proposal amount is only part of their proposal. Be sure to view these other items from the provider:

   * Provider Profile including an online portfolio of work samples. (Click the provider's username to view their profile.)
   * Feedback left by other elancers about each of the service providers who have submitted a proposal on your job.
   * Private Messages to interview with your service provider to ensure your requirements match their skills.

NOTE: If a provider is not hired for a job, Elance will delete uploaded files attached to the job descriptions, proposal comments and Private Messages after 6 months. If a provider is hired for a job, uploaded files will not be deleted for that job.

4. When you have made your decision, click on the associated provider's Award button on the far right side of their proposal.

5. Review the default terms. 

6. Click the Award button if you don't have any initial edits to the business terms or click the 'Modify Terms' button to make changes before hiring the provider for the job. 

5. Your service provider will next review the business terms and milestones that have been submitted and accept the job.

6. If the provider has updates to the business terms you have submitted, you will be notified and will have the chance to accept, decline or modify the terms before the job starts. 

NOTE: You can hire multiple service providers for your job, but you must agree to pay each separately. 

Click here for a step-by-step Buyer Guide.

For more information on how to review the proposals you've received, please watch the following Elance University video: