The odd jobs market has been booming in recent years, and thanks to sites like TaskRabbit, it’s possible to make extra money doing everything from wrapping presents to fixing a leaky sink. But just how much money can you make? And are certain jobs better than others? We break down the tricks to earning more cash with this popular job-sharing platform.
Who Can Work for TaskRabbit?
First, you need to be sure that TaskRabbit operates in your area. At this time, it has workers in the following cities only:
- Atlanta, GA
- Austin, TX
- Boston, MA
- Chicago, IL
- Dallas, TX
- Denver, CO
- Houston, TX
- London, UK
- Los Angeles & Orange County, CA
- Miami, FL
- New York City, NY
- Philadelphia, PA
- Phoenix, AZ
- Portland, OR
- San Antonio, TX
- San Diego, CA
- Seattle, WA
- San Francisco Bay Area, CA
- Washington, DC
TaskRabbit has no immediate plans to expand, although they are continuously working to grow into new areas that show promise of an active market.
If you’re in an eligible area, you must also meet their additional requirements. You must be 21 years of age, have a valid social security card, a credit card and a bank account (for charges and payments), as well as a smart phone. The TaskRabbit community runs on a smartphone app, so you’ll have to have a capable device for checking in and accepting tasks.
How to Get Started With TaskRabbit
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Once you determine that you meet eligibility requirements, it’s time to register on the site. You’ll be asked some basic information to set up a profile. Information you must provide includes your legal and contact info, proof of your ID, as well as a credit card that can be charged for your background check. Provided everything checks out, your registration will be processed and you’ll be placed into the pool for future workers (also called “taskers”).
If you’re accepted, you’ll await your invitation to attend a local orientation. This event will help answer basic questions about how the platform works, what rules you must follow, and how things like billing and payment work.
Register for TaskRabbit by clicking here and make extra money doing odd jobs!
What Kind of Tasks Can You Do With TaskRabbit?
The platform has expanded over the years to include dozens of possible jobs you can do to make extra money. TaskRabbit advertises for the following tasks and job types:
- Delivery, Moving Help, Furniture Assembly, Packing & Shipping, and Heavy Lifting
- Cleaning, Deep Cleaning, Organization, Decoration, Window Cleaning
- Event Planning, Event Staffing, Entertainment, Photography, Videography
- Personal Assistant, Accounting, Computer Help, Data Entry, Office Administration
- Research, Marketing, Graphic Design, Selling Online, Web Design, Usability Testing
- Errands, Cooking/Baking, Laundry and Ironing, Arts/Crafts, Sewing, Shopping
- Painting, Minor Home Repairs
- Automotive, Carpentry & Construction, Electrician, Plumbing, Yard Work and Removal
- Pet Sitting
How Much You Can Earn with TaskRabbit?
As an independent contractor, you are not an employee of TaskRabbit, so you are responsible for your own self-employement taxes. You’ll want to price accordingly for this. TaskRabbit also takes a 30% fee for all tasks for allowing you to use the matchmaking system and for administering the payments. (This can be reduced to just 15% if your client requests you specifically.) There is also an additional 7.5% Trust and Safety fee, but this is added to your cost, not deducted from it. Even with these costs, however, it’s possible to make a decent wage with TaskRabbit.
Many of the cities that TaskRabbit covers have a higher standard of living, so you’ll need to presumable charge more. It’s not uncommon to get $80 – 150 for some of the more specialized tasks, tasks that require certain skills or training, or for work that requires a vehicle. In metro areas there most people don’t drive, you can charge a premium for any work that uses your wheels. It is possible, therefore to make a full-time living with TaskRabbit. (You’ll probably do full-time work to make it, though.)
3 Tips from Those Who Make Extra Money with TaskRabbit
Like any side hustle, you’ll want to be the best at what you do to really stand out and earn repeat business. In addition to showing up on time, offering good work, and being presentable, Taskers recommend the following strategies to make extra money and even make it a full-time career!
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Be unique
Is there a skill you do that no one else can do? Have you mastered a new type of plumbing material or handle a computer technology that’s not well-known? If you have a very specific and in-demand skill, you can ask whatever anyone is willing to pay. And that could be a very, very good amount.
Be flexible
One of the reasons TaskRabbit is popular for those doing the hiring is that they can get help with most any task, immediately, and with the tap of a screen. The instant gratification is how Task Rabbit has worked so well. If you can keep your options open and always be available for those last-minute tasks, you’ll earn more business. You can also charge a bit extra for those jobs that are a bit more difficult, but that you can promise to have done right away.
Invest in yourself
Like any business, you should plan on putting a part of your earnings into making your business bigger and better. Get some new cleaning supplies. Work on your programming skills. Give your work vehicle a new paint job or a better set of tires. If you use it for work, consider a small budget (10% of net earnings to start) that you always reinvest. As an independent contractor, these would be considered business expenses, anyway. You’ll take them off your bottom line at the end of the year, further reducing your tax bill!