Straight answers.
The questions primes and crews ask before they join the network.
Is this a job? Am I an employee?
No. Valhalla is a network of independent contractors. You run your own business — you choose your work, set your own schedule, and bring your own tools. Applying here is not applying for a job, and no one on the network is a Valhalla employee.
What's the difference between a prime and a helper?
A prime holds their own contract with the network, carries their own insurance, and engages and pays their own crew. A helper works under a prime, is paid by that prime, and builds toward running a crew of their own.
Do I have to work only for Valhalla?
No. There's no exclusivity and no minimum volume. Take the work that fits your crew and pass on what doesn't — there's no penalty for saying no.
How and when do I get paid?
Primes are paid per job on a predictable cycle — no net-60, no chasing checks. Helpers are paid directly by their prime; that rate is between you and your prime.
Do I get to choose my jobs?
Yes. Each job comes at a set, flat price. You take what's worth your crew's time and pass on what isn't — no assignments, no quota.
Who buys the materials?
Materials are staged at the job before you arrive. You bring your tools and your skill — no supply runs and no fronting costs.
Do I need my own tools?
Yes. You bring your own tools, and if you're a prime, your own crew.
Do I need my own insurance?
Primes carry their own general liability coverage ($1M per occurrence / $2M aggregate). Helpers work under a prime and do not need their own policy. Don't have coverage yet? You can get your own, or start as a helper.
Is there a background check?
Yes — a standard background check at intake, before any site work.
What do I need to apply?
Your W-9, a photo ID, your trade and experience, and — for primes — your certificate of insurance. No W-9? There's a fillable one linked right on the application.
What if I don't have a crew?
If you're an experienced prime, apply anyway — once you qualify you get access to independent hands looking for work, and you choose who to bring on, engage, and pay. Newer to the trade? Start as a helper under an established prime.
What happens after I apply?
We verify your information and background, and if it's a fit, we onboard you and get you set up on the network.
How do I become a prime later?
Log the work, build a name people trust, get your own insurance and tools, and run your own crew. Every prime started exactly there.