Taskrabbit Work: What It’s Like and How to Succeed

Taskrabbit is a popular side hustle option for handy go-getters, but it may feel daunting if you’re just starting out.

Kevin Johnson has been there, done that, and found success. He’s a college student based in Maryland and offers handyman and moving services on the side. His dream is to open an automotive repair shop one day, and he views this hustle as valuable, if nontraditional, career experience.

Finding a traditional job isn’t exactly easy these days. According to the most recent jobs report, the economy added just 73,000 jobs in July. Compare that with 275,000 new entrants — people seeking their first job — who joined the ranks of those already looking.

If you need or want work, take note of what established Taskers like Johnson do to succeed in the gig economy.

Taskrabbit connects customers with capable workers who can put together furniture, lift heavy objects, mount a TV, declutter a room, clean house, run errands and more. The workers — called Taskers on the app — work independently and flexibly.

“Being a Tasker helps with making your own schedule and setting your own rates,” said Johnson in an email interview.

Las Vegas-based Tasker Nola Rodgers likes the people side of the work, and the money. She started tasking in 2021, after graduating high school in 2020, and has turned it into a full-time living.

“I love being able to help families and businesses have what they need to operate daily,” she said in an email interview. “If you offer enough tasks in different categories, you could end up making livable money.”

Rodgers would know. She’s got ‘elite tasker’ status on her profile — which signifies experience and consistently high ratings.

Lean on your skills and into services that pay.

Rodgers does TV mounting, packing, organizing and unpacking and even minor home repairs, for example. She also builds a lot of Ikea stuff.

“Furniture assembly is what I get booked most often,” she said. She charges $41.29 per hour for furniture assembly and brings her own tools to the job.

Johnson gets a lot of moving and hauling jobs, which make use of the little red truck he bought in cash with his earnings.

He said “handyman work, such as furniture assembly and mounting [decor],” is good for pay and consistent bookings as well.

Your profile is the front door of your Tasker business. Just starting out, you need a compelling pitch.

Rodgers’ profile is fun to read and conveys her passion for building things. Her service descriptions are clear and concise — only a couple lines of text — and include photos of past work (e.g., a big TV hanging level in a living room with all cables hidden).

Johnson, who does a lot of moving, mentions he has a truck, and provides a transparent breakdown of pricing on his profile.

When customers come knocking, treat them well. Responsiveness, timeliness and perfectionism are key qualities for successful Taskers.

Johnson said he responds to customer inquiries as quickly as he can and stays in contact throughout.

“I always arrive on time and keep them updated on my estimated arrival,” he said.

Customers and Taskers can chat and send photos about the job on the app and website, or connect on a call.

Rodgers also stressed the importance of doing right by the customer. “[It] builds word of mouth and helps with reviews and recommendations.”

It may be wise to prioritize reviews over pay rates at first.

Rodgers was on the grind from day one, and said bookings came quickly. “I got on the app and I started doing same-day tasks — I started getting clients that day.” The same-day jobs gave way to advanced bookings, and the ability to earn more.

“I took pictures of my work as I finished tasks to start my portfolio and set my rates at what was recommended, and raised them as it was suggested by Taskrabbit,” she said.

The app offers pricing guidance based on location, task category and level of experience, so you can set competitive rates.

How much you can make depends on a range of factors, especially the time you have for hustling. Both Rodgers and Johnson estimated that new Taskers have the potential to earn around $1,000 – $1,500 a month, but that may not be realistic for all.

And don’t forget — you do gig work like Taskrabbit as a self-employed independent contractor, which means it’s on you to plan for tax time. The good news is Taskrabbit takes its service fee from clients — charged on top of the rate you set.

“It is still work,” said Rodgers. “You need to be committed and hardworking.”

Being bossless sounds cool, but without one you’ll have to get out of bed and get going on your own.

Passion helps, Johnson said. “Whatever skill resonates with you, give it your absolute best.”

We sifted through Reddit forums to get a pulse check on how users feel about Taskrabbit as a viable side hustle. Taskrabbit isn’t all roses for everyone who’s tried it. A quick review may dash your spirits. We used an AI tool to help analyze the feedback. People post anonymously, so we cannot confirm their individual experiences or circumstances.

These potential negatives stood out.

• Market saturation: Big cities may have many Taskers competing for work, which makes it tough to get regular gigs.

• Inconsistent income: Since gigs can be sporadic, working as a Tasker won’t guarantee the consistent income of a salaried or hourly job.

• Need for multiple skills: Taskers tend to need skills in various types of task areas to maximize earning potential (e.g., handyman and hauling). 

While your level of success will vary, what you learn as a Tasker could lead to something more.

Around 1 in 13 Americans (7%) set a goal to start a business in 2025, according to a recent NerdWallet study.

As a Tasker, Johnson emphasizes treating customers well, showing up on time, looking the part and doing the job well, qualities that will serve him if his auto shop comes to fruition.

Rodgers aspires to more too. “Over the next five years, I plan to expand my business by making custom furniture,” she said.