Dana Sitar posted: "Odd jobs are as old as time. There have always been folks hiring people to perform tasks they don't have the time or skills to do themselves. The gig app TaskRabbit makes it easier than ever for service providers to make extra money and for clients to buy"
Odd jobs are as old as time. There have always been folks hiring people to perform tasks they don't have the time or skills to do themselves.
The gig app TaskRabbit makes it easier than ever for service providers to make extra money and for clients to buy some free time.
Want to know how it works? In this TaskRabbit review, we cover what it takes to get to work on the platform, and what it's like to hire through the platform to help everyone make the most of it.
What Is TaskRabbit and How Does It Work?
TaskRabbit connects gig workers with people who need help with jobs like cleaning houses, making deliveries or completing household tasks, such as installing a new faucet or putting together a bookshelf.
The app lets clients post the work they need help with. Service providers, called "Taskers," use it to find jobs, contact potential clients and get paid for the work. Jobs are paid at an hourly rate, which Taskers set, and clients pay right through the app with a connected credit card or account.
Using TaskRabbit, instead of a classifieds site like Craigslist or other job-listing site, helps make sure service providers actually get paid for their work, and reassures clients that they are who they say they are and they've been vetted by the platform.
How does TaskRabbit work? Here are the basics.
Working for TaskRabbit
Here's everything you need to know about making money through TaskRabbit.
Who Can Work for TaskRabbit?
To become a Tasker, you have to be at least 18 years old and live in one of 61 cities in the U.S. or those in seven other countries where the platform is active.
You can provide services across more than 50 categories in the app. Some require previous experience or expertise, but many don't. You should be able to become a Tasker without any specific background or experience. Just choose tasks from the categories that fit your skills.
When Do You Work on TaskRabbit?
Like with any gig app, you make your own hours on TaskRabbit. Unlike some gig options, though, you have to keep an updated schedule on your profile in the app so clients see you in search results and you can avoid scheduling conflicts.
The client handles the entire booking process through the app.
When a client needs to book a service, they select from a list of chores in the app to search for available Taskers in their area. They read through your profile to make sure it matches their needs, then book an appointment based on your availability. You'll receive notifications when clients request your services.
Once they've confirmed the appointment through the final booking page, you can communicate with each other through messages in the app to make sure you have all the information you need.
Clients can book same-day or future appointments, based on your settings, and the appointments will show up on your work schedule. Once you have the task completed, they'll pay you your hourly rate through the app. You keep 100% of your rate plus any tips clients offer.
What Kind of Services Do You Provide on TaskRabbit?
Tasks on the platform range from the mundane to the creative across more than 50 categories. Some require experience or expertise in a certain field, but you can perform many tasks without any background.
Some gigs we've seen for Taskers include:
Furniture assembly. The app became so popular at helping clients assemble furniture that IKEA's owner, the Ingka Group, bought the company in 2017 to launch a dedicated service assembling furniture for its signature some-assembly-required digs.
Paid line sitter. There hasn't been a huge market for this since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, but we're certain the task of standing in line for money will make its way back.
This is not at all exhaustive. You can pretty much get paid to do anything (legal) that a client doesn't have the time or resources to do on their own.
Note that TaskRabbit uses separate apps for clients and Taskers — to offer services, download the "Tasker by TaskRabbit" app.
During the registration process, you'll have to:
Consent to an ID check.
Provide a Social Security number (in the U.S.).
Connect your bank account to get paid.
Submit to a criminal background check (using your name, SSN and birth date).
In some cities, you'll have to pay a non-refundable $25 registration fee when you sign up. Paying the fee doesn't guarantee you'll be approved as a Tasker, so if you have any concern you won't pass the screening process, you probably want to save your money and try other gigs.
Once your profile is approved, you can begin tasking!
You'll build your profile, listing the tasks you want to offer and your related experience and background, if necessary. You'll also set your schedule, which determines your availability, and your service area, as a radius from where you live.
How Much Money Do You Make on TaskRabbit?
On Taskrabbit, you set your own rates, and the average hourly pay for Taskers in the U.S. is $35, according to TaskRabbit's April 2019 fact sheet.
The rates you can earn through TaskRabbit gigs vary based on the types of tasks you take on and what clients are willing to pay. If you set your hourly rates higher than average, they might sift past you in their search, for example.
TaskRabbit no longer charges a support fee, so you keep 100% of what you earn plus any tips.
(Instead of taking a cut from you, TaskRabbit makes money from the service fee clients pay on top of your hourly rates. So the total cost to clients is a little higher, but you don't have to fork over a share of your earnings.)
Don't Forget About Taxes
Like all workers in the gig economy, Taskers are independent contractors in the eyes of the IRS and most state income tax authorities.
As an independent contractor, you're completely responsible for paying income taxes on the money you earn through TaskRabbit. The company doesn't withhold taxes the way an employer would.
To keep up with what you owe throughout the year, you'll want to pay estimated quarterly taxes four times each year. If a substantial amount of your income comes from TaskRabbit or other gig work or self-employment, you'll want to do the paperwork and stay on top of that quarterly tax bill.
If you're just picking up an occasional gig here and there on the side of employment, your payroll taxes might cover anything you'd owe from tasking. Don't count on it, though — do the math to estimate your tax obligation and make sure you're not surprised with a bill in April.
Need a banking service that's built for freelancers, helping you save for taxes and keep track of your expenses? Check out Lili. (It's free!)
8 Tips to Make More Money on TaskRabbit
TaskRabbit and other gig sites that match eager workers with people who need odd jobs performed are often criticized as a difficult way for people to earn a decent living. Many of the independent contractors who complete tasks through these sites end up racing between different low-paying gigs, with long, unpaid commutes in between.
But that doesn't have to be the case. If you're strategic, you can use gig economy apps to make a serious side income or even to make a full-time living.
To make more money as a Tasker, follow these strategies.
1. Be Flexible
Set an hourly rate that makes any task worth your time, and be willing to take on a variety of tasks to fill out our schedule. We've learned from experts that flexibility is key to high earnings on the app.
Being willing to work on call is extremely helpful, too. That availability could give you a leg up on other Taskers and win you more gigs.
2. Be Versatile
You might have preferences for some types of tasks, but your best bet to earning good money through the platform is to be open to a variety of gigs.
If that's not your bag, no worries; TaskRabbit just might not be the best platform for you. On this platform, it's all about fulfilling client's unexpected needs.
One day, you could find yourself walking dogs, and the next week, you'll be parking strollers outside of preschool. The app connects you with an array of odd jobs, and the more open you are — they're called "odd" for a reason — the more money you could earn.
3. Capitalize on Your Skills
Top-dollar Taskers earn their cash by having top-notch skills. You can be willing to take on the occasional stroller-parking gig, but you can command the highest rates doing things like carpentry, construction and other handyman tasks clients hire out because they don't have the skills themselves.
Having top-notch, in-demand skills help you rise to the top of the pack.
Figure out your strengths: Maybe you have a big truck for moving jobs, you're a neat freak, you're an expert at IKEA furniture assembly or you run a handyman business. Keep an eye out for gigs that require those skills to get the most for your time.
4. Invest in Your Business
If you want to take this tasking thing full-time, it could be worth some investment. Maybe you see a lot of gigs for moving help, so you buy a truck or a van to stand out against the competition. Or maybe you invest on a smaller scale, like a set of cleaning supplies or tools.
5. Build an Appealing Profile
A strong profile that highlights your skills and abilities will help you stand out to clients as they scan through bids.
Choose a quality, fun photo of yourself and take the time to write an informative bio. Link to your social media profiles, especially LinkedIn, to highlight your background and expertise. If your profile shows you're experienced, approachable and intelligent, you'll have a much higher chance of landing gigs — even if you don't have the lowest rate.
6. Work With Your Busy Schedule, Not Against It
Run lots of errands already? Choose tasks that fit with your own to-do list to get paid for the running around you have to do all day.
Figure out which types of services to focus on by considering what works with your life. Maybe you can plan your grocery shopping or donation drop-offs to coincide with tasks, for example.
7. Set Your Prices Well
Choosing a fair and accurate price for a job can keep you from being passed over or worrying about being paid less than your work is worth.
Set prices that make the work worth your time, and use your profile to let clients know why you're worth it. In the long run, that'll help you build a much stronger business or side hustle than simply trying to be the lowest bidder.
Don't be afraid to experiment as you get started to figure out the best balance for getting the most tasks and earning fair wages.
8. Use the TaskRabbit App to Check Tasks on the Go
Increase your productivity by checking the app while you're out and about. Does anyone need anything from your area, whether it's groceries or a lunch delivery? Have you had any task requests?
Being able to check on available tasks while you're away from your computer adds a little extra productivity to your work.
FAQs About Working for TaskRabbit
Here are answers to some of the most common questions about working as a Tasker.
Is TaskRabbit legitimate?
Yes. TaskRabbit has been around since 2008 and has a reputation as a safe marketplace for gig work. The company is owned by the multinational company that owns IKEA, and it has more than 1.5 million users, more than 140,000 of whom are Taskers who earn money through the platform, according to its 2019 fact sheet.
Is TaskRabbit a good way to make money?
Whether TaskRabbit is a good gig for you depends on your financial goals and lifestyle. At an average of $35 per hour in the U.S., the earnings are well above minimum wage — even when you cut them in half to account for self-employment costs and taxes. Your total earnings depend on how many hours you're available and where you live, which could determine how much commuting you have to do between gigs and how many clients are around.
Do you pay taxes on TaskRabbit?
In the U.S., Taskers are classified as independent contractors for tax purposes, which means you're responsible to pay all of your taxes owed, including a self-employment tax. Money you earn through TaskRabbit counts as earned income (just like any work income). You have to file an income tax return if your earnings from self-employment are $400 or more.
Do you need a license for TaskRabbit?
In California only, you need a business license to operate as an independent contractor in any capacity, including as a gig worker. This license confirms you're a service provider and not an employee of the company (which keeps TaskRabbit out of legal hot water). You can get a license as a sole proprietor (i.e. a solo person), so you don't have to form a business entity like an LLC. No other states require a business license to work for TaskRabbit.
Can an LLC work for TaskRabbit?
Yes. If you do run a business that's registered as an LLC (or any other entity, including a partnership, you can sign up for TaskRabbit under your business.
Hiring on TaskRabbit
Here's everything you need to know to make the most of hiring contractors through TaskRabbit.
What Kinds of Services Can You Pay for on TaskRabbit?
TaskRabbit connects you with any kind of help you need, as soon as the same day. To find what you're looking for, just browse the task categories, and choose one to pull up Taskers who do that kind of work.
TaskRabbit offers a range of services across 50 categories, from virtual assistance to furniture assembly to cleaning to moving to yardwork to… well, you get the picture.
If it needs to get done and you don't want to do it, you can probably hire a Tasker to handle it for you.
Who Are You Hiring Through TaskRabbit?
You're often letting Taskers into your home — maybe even while you're not there — so you probably want some assurance that they're legit. For this reason, TaskRabbit runs an identity check and criminal background check on all Taskers.
Also, Taskers tend to be folks from your local community, so you may already have some trust and rapport just from being in the same neighborhood.
Taskers create profiles that list the kinds of work they do and their experience and expertise. So you can make sure you're hiring someone fit to do the job, especially for more complex tasks that require a very particular set of skills.
If you liked the service you got from a Tasker, you can rehire them through the app by adding them to your favorites or pursuing your completed tasks. Note that Taskers might not be available for all kinds of tasks, so you might not be able to rehire a previous Tasker who, say, delivered your groceries, to be your virtual assistant.
How to Hire a Tasker
You can hire a Tasker through the app for iOS or Android through this simple process:
Search the list of chores in the app. They span 50 categories and includes hundreds of tasks. Select the type of task you need completed.
TaskRabbit matches you with fitting service providers in your area, and you choose someone and put in the request, including details about the task and a date and time that fits the Tasker's availability. You can schedule a task as soon as same day or as much as 14 days in advance.
Once the Tasker accepts your request, you'll manage the booking through the app, including communicating and payment.
Pro Tip
To use TaskRabbit to hire someone to do your odd jobs, download the client app: TaskRabbit: Handyman, Errands.
How Much Does TaskRabbit Cost?
When you book a task, you'll pay a Tasker's hourly rate ("Tasker Rate") plus a service fee and a "Trust & Support Fee" paid to TaskRabbit, plus any reimbursements you agree to with the Tasker.
Taskers set their own hourly rates, and you'll be able to see those in their profile before you put in your request. Rates should generally be commensurate with the work and competitive for the area, because that's the best way for Taskers to get work.
Both the service fee and the Trust & Support Fee are billed as a percentage of the total Tasker Rate. TaskRabbit is a little opaque about the exact percentage, but some users have reported seeing fees as much as 35%. You'll be notified of the fee percentage before you book, so keep an eye out for that detail to avoid surprise charges!
After you receive your invoice, you can also add a tip of any amount for the Tasker. They receive 100% of their hourly rate and tips; TaskRabbit doesn't keep a cut.
Dana Sitar (@danasitar) has been writing and editing for online audiences since 2011, covering personal finance, careers and digital media. She is a former staffer at The Penny Hoarder. Her work has appeared in the New York Times, CNBC, The Motley Fool, Inc. and more.
This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, which helps millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. The Inc. 5000 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the fastest-growing private media company in the U.S. in 2017.
No comments:
Post a Comment