If you’re a contractor, a plumber, a contractor or just handy with your hands, you can use our guide to making TaskRabbit find work for you.
The gig economy still represents an effective means for generating cash from either side hustles or your primary job. However, while there are plenty of resources online dedicated to gig workers working in the digital sphere, a gap in the market has existed for those engaged in physical work.
Enter Taskrabbit, a platform that’s specifically designed for people working with their hands, like plumbers, carpenters, contractors, and more. This IKEA-owned service represents a great means for people engaged in these fields to find new customers, but it can be daunting for first-timers to use. Hence this guide.
We’re going to walk you through everything you need to know about Taskrabbit, including the sign-up process, pricing strategies that actually work, and the steps required to ensure your profile generates a consistent stream of bookings. No fuss, no muss.
What is Task Rabbit?
Taskrabbit is a two-sided marketplace connecting local customers, who are known as clients, with independent contractors and business people who are called Taskers. The jobs that Taskers carry out can vary significantly, including handiwork, administration, specialized skills, and more.
Taskrabbit acts as a middleman to bring clients and Taskers together by handling marketing, vetting, and payment processing. It is aimed at, and best suited for, people living close to large metropolitan areas where demand for rapid, on-demand help is high.
How does TaskRabbit work for Taskers?
Sign up and set up
The first step is creating a comprehensive profile for the services that you’ll provide as a Tasker, whether it be for plumbing, contracting, or something else. The next step is to define your service area; you’ll be provided with a digital map where you can set your geographic availability. It’s important to set an area that is reasonable for you to commit to, otherwise you’ll receive task offers that you won’t be able to honor.
You also need to set your availability calendar, and just like your digital map, you need to be realistic with your potential availability here too. You’ll also need to create a checklist of the tools and skills you can bring to bear on any job sites you work on; be as broad as possible, but only if you can. Finally, include any professional certifications you might hold; they’ll go a long way in helping you find work!
Finding work
The Taskrabbit algorithm is set up to prioritize Taskers with the highest ratings, the highest completion rates, and the fastest response times, so you need to be consistently active on the system to make it work. When a potential client reaches out, try to confirm the scope of work, arrival time, and any specific materials needed.
After you’ve finished your work, make sure you log your hours and any agreed-upon expenses directly through the Tasker app interface. Make sure you communicate consistently through the app, as if any disputes take place, it could be difficult for you to resolve them if some of your communication was carried out externally
Related
Interested in running your own service business? Check out our guide before you start
Notes on TaskRabbit Pricing
The rates that you set
- You have total control over your hourly rates; it's up to you to set whatever rate you think is reasonable and market-ready. You can also set different rates for different types of work.
- When getting started, you should try setting a slightly lower rate to get ahead of more established competition. Once you gain good reviews on Taskrabbit, you can increase your rates.
- Taskrabbit pricing policies allow you to set premiums for tasks that are requested over the weekend or on national holidays. You can also charge rush rates if clients need something done immediately.
- Bear in mind that your rates are subject to market conditions just like anything else, so keep an eye on what your competition is charging. If there’s a change, consider updating your rates.
What your customer sees
- When your customer interacts with your page, they’ll see your base hourly rate plus the platform’s added service fees. Make sure you remember these in your budgeting.
- High service fees can be an issue on Taskrabbit, so in some cases, you may want to consider tweaking your rates so that the fees don’t seem so expensive to potential clients.
- In the same vein, being completely transparent about your service fees and hourly rates will help build trust with your clients. Consider including a price breakdown explainer on your profile.
- Your clients can also leave you tips, of which you’ll receive 100%. This is a really great way to secure extra revenue, so make sure your customers know that they’re able to do this.
Does TaskRabbit take a cut from Taskers?
Taskrabbit is ultimately free for the Tasker to use because the cost of services is transferred over to the customers. That means if you set, for example, $50 per hour for your services, you’ll receive 100% of that $50. There are no hidden fees or costs that you as the Tasker need to worry about after your initial registration.
Instead, Taskrabbit generates its revenue by adding service fees that are paid by the client engaging with your services. Clients will see these when they are procuring your services, but it’s worth including an explainer on your profile to make sure they fully appreciate the costs involved.
If you want to find the exact fee breakdown, you can check the "Earnings" or "Transaction History" section of the app to see how these fees work. It’s important to check this while you’re doing your accounting, as it breaks down exactly what you charged and what the client had to pay on their end.
If you’re wondering why, remember that the IRS is not to be messed with. As an independent contractor or a self-employed business person, you’re responsible for paying all of your taxes and other obligations like insurance. As such, make sure you’re regularly verifying this information at least once a month.
One final note: costs related to reimbursement for materials are handled separately within the Taskrabbit system and are not subject to the platform’s service fees. This means you won’t be out of pocket for materials you need to work.
Related
Focusing on follow up emails will boost your business in a variety of ways. Here’s how to do it
Is Taskrabbit free for taskers?
In short, not quite. TaskRabbit is free to download, and its library of help and advice resources doesn’t cost anything to use either. Despite this, there are some upfront investments you need to consider before signing up.
This starts with a one-off $25 sign-up fee you have to pay to cover the cost of a thorough background check. This is non-negotiable and important, as it helps keep the TaskRabbit system free of criminals and those with ill intent who would otherwise ruin its reputation and prevent it from becoming a source of revenue for you.
Besides the registration fee, you’ve also got some overheads you need to consider. Some of the following should be familiar to you:
- Transportation: You’re responsible for fuel costs, maintenance, parking fees, and any other transportation costs you may incur.
- Tools and equipment: Materials may be reimbursable, but the tools and equipment you need to make the most of them have to come out of your pocket.
- Insurance: As a self-employed contractor, you’re responsible for your own health and liability insurance.
- Taxes: As we mentioned earlier, you’re still answerable to the IRS yourself; your taxes are still your problem alone.
- Mobile data: Even if you use your mobile data for work alone, you’re still responsible for paying for it yourself. Check with your accountant if it’s tax-deductible.
- Marketing materials: It’s up to you how much you invest in marketing your services. It’s a good idea to do so, but you’re still responsible for the cost.
How much can you make on TaskRabbit?
It’s entirely up to you how much you make on TaskRabbit, based on your availability, level of expertise, and various other factors including the following:
Local demand
If you live in a large metropolitan area, you’ll have access to a higher number of potential clients compared with small towns or rural areas. New York, NY, is going to beat Portland, ME, for example.
Review scores
The higher number of positive reviews you accumulate, the more likely it is you’ll attract new clients and be able to charge a premium for your services at the same time.
Response speed
TaskRabbit loves fast responders and rewards them with higher visibility in the algorithm. Make sure you answer quickly and consistently to maximize your revenue opportunities.
Scheduling
Taskers who are available over weekends and evenings are also prioritized by the algorithm, and you can charge a premium for your services as well.
Job expertise
The more specialized you are, the higher you can charge for your services, making plumbing more lucrative than, say, running general errands.
Travel efficiency
Booking a string of task appointments in a close geographical area helps to minimize your transportation costs and maximize your potential revenue in one day.
Realistic weekly earnings
| Hours per week | Hourly rate | Weekly gross | Estimated net |
| 5 hours | 30 | 150 | 100 - 115 |
| 10 - 15 hours | 45 | 675 | 475 - 550 |
| 30 hours | 65 | 1950 | 1,300 - 1,500 |
Note: Our net estimate accounts for roughly 30% being set aside for taxes, fuel, and equipment wear-and-tear, and assumes that the Tasker is not highly specialized.
Related
How much does each handyman earn in US states? Check our salary discovery reports.
Highest paid TaskRabbit specialities
TaskRabbit is a good way to make money, but it’s especially effective for people who can specialize in specific roles. If you can specialize in a high-demand trade like some of the following, you can really boost your earning potential.
Furniture assembly
A surprisingly high number of people struggle with assembling even IKEA furniture, creating a specialized gap in the market for people who don’t struggle with instructions.
Handyman work
In the same vein, a lot of people don’t know how to fix things around the house, from shelves and lighting to flooring and more. You can earn a lot if you know how to be handy.
Mounting and installation
Whether it be for plasma TVs, lighting, or chandeliers, mounting and installation is a specialist skill that can prove to be lucrative for taskers.
Home removals
It’s not technically specialized, but home removal work can also be lucrative as it’s a task that most people would prefer to avoid.
Smart home setup
This is very in demand these days and it requires a high degree of technical specialization to carry out. Some of the highest-paid Taskers today are smart home specialists.
Is working for TaskRabbit worth it?
If you’re still asking yourself; ‘is TaskRabit a good way to make money,’ then it might not be the way forward for you. It is a proven, effective way for self employed contractors to work, but it’s not for everyone. Consider the following before getting started.
When it’s worth it
- You live in a major city with access to a large pool of clients that you can easily reach with good-quality transportation.
- You already own the equipment needed to carry out the jobs you want to perform. This especially applies to work like contracting and plumbing.
- Organization and planning come naturally to you, and you’re willing to take total control over your self-employed business.
- You have the discipline to organize multiple income streams at the same time and the willingness to publicize your work through marketing.
- Your work involves a specialized, hands-on skill that isn’t likely to be replaced by AI in the near future.
When it’s not worth it
- You live in a rural area, a location with a low number of potential clients, or with transportation restrictions.
- You’re unable to commit to a certain number of hours per week during which you’ll focus exclusively on TaskRabbit activities.
- You don’t have the tools required for your chosen trade, or if you require a large capital investment to get started with equipment.
- If organizing your work, taxes, insurance, and other key activities seems daunting, then TaskRabbit is probably not for you.
- If your availability over weekends and evenings is limited, then consider looking elsewhere, as these periods are the most commercially viable for Taskers.
How to make more money as a tasker
It’s all about the Benjamins, so how do you boost your money making potential as a tasker? There are two key areas you need to consider when working on your earnings. Master both to make TaskRabbit worth it.
Operations and optimizations
- Optimize your profile to make it easier for clients to find it. Avoid using vague terms like ‘general work,’ and instead use specific tags like ‘master TV mounter.’
- Upload photos of your work, preferably before and after photos, so that you’re not just telling; you’re showing too.
- If you work with tools, include a section in your profile which lists all of the key equipment that you own, as well as any pertinent qualifications and certifications.
- Ensure your skills and experience section is detailed, but easy for the customer to understand. They’re unlikely to be an industry expert, after all.
Smart pricing
- Start out as a tasker with an introductory rate that will attract customers willing to take a chance on someone with little to no reviews.
- When you’ve gained some experience you can begin to incrementally increase your hourly rates. More and better reviews equals a higher hourly rate.
- Set a two-hour minimum for categories that involve heavy lifting or long travel times to protect your daily profit margins.
- Consider offering long-time clients a discount for their loyalty, especially if they’ve provided your profile with high-quality reviews.





