Tasker Ricky P. tasks in LA & OC and first heard about Taskrabbit from his father. When he realized the platform offered him the freedom to choose his own schedule and focus on what he loves most—music—it was a perfect match. Between building his skills and wrestling with SoCal traffic, he’s built a side hustle that nets him between $3,500 – $4000 each month, which is enough to let him pursue his passion.
We wanted to know: How did Ricky build this business, and what tips does he have for Taskers just starting out? Check out his answers below!
What are the top five categories you task in, and why?
Mounting, Assembly (Furniture Assembly and IKEA Assembly), and Home Improvements. Why? Because they’re always in demand!
What should Taskers know before starting a business on Taskrabbit?
First, know how to communicate with your clients. Keep a record of everything you do and say in the chat thread, and always be honest. It also helps to arrive at each task prepared with extra tools and parts in case you need them.
Also, make yourself marketable! Your first 50-100 tasks (and the reviews they garner) will likely determine how successful you are. Try to make sure that every client you encounter gives you a review, and always have open availability on your calendar.
Any tips on client communication?
At the start of any task, you’ll have to gauge how long it should take. If the task involves multiple jobs that need to be done, it’s always good to say, “Typically this will take X amount of hours.” If you foresee it taking longer, always inform the client. Also, when it comes to expensing items, always discuss anything you’ll need reimbursement for ahead of time. Keep track of every expense in the chat thread, and share an image of each receipt.
Have you run into any common blockers that prevent you from starting or ending a task successfully?
Yes. I’ve had furniture come from online retailers with pieces completely shattered, and I’ve had clients hire me to mount or assemble items from kits that don’t actually have all the parts included. In cases like this, you have to think on your feet while always being honest and respectful. Do what’s fair, and document everything.
Do you share “before” and “after” photos of your tasks with your clients? If so, how does this help your business?
Given the categories I task in, I typically only share photos of the final product once it’s finished. The only time this changes is when there’s damage to furniture at the outset or something else I need to update the client on.
Do you have any strategies for minimizing commute times?
In LA, it can be tough! If you can foresee heavy traffic, try to space out the tasks you have in your schedule. Given how traffic can be, though, you may just have to deal with it and update your client about the situation as it unfolds.
What’s your advice for new Taskers who want to build a business fast?
Ask as many questions as possible. There are times when clients might ask you to do separate tasks on one invoice. If you’re okay with that and your prices are the same per category, then it’s fine—just log it in the chat thread. For me, however, every job counts. Make sure you’re getting paid fairly for what you’re doing, and try to have each task marked separately so that it contributes to your reviews and analytics.
When it comes to skill building, start by doing some research or maybe even shadowing someone in the field. Taskrabbit also provides some good educational material for upskilling.
Most importantly, just go for it. Real experience will help you learn new skills and understand how to run your business. Always look out for yourself, and be the service you always hope to get when you’re on the other end of the stick.
One of the huge benefits of Taskrabbit is that it allows you to find meaningful work—not just in day-to-day interactions with clients, but also in the passions it can allow you to pursue. We are grateful to have Ricky on our platform and wish him all the best as he makes his dreams a reality!
