How to start and grow a business on Taskrabbit

If you want to earn money, but you need something flexible that fits around your life, Taskrabbit might be worth considering. You might be good at cleaning, an enthusiastic DIY-er, or you just have some time on your hands to help others run errands; chances are, there are people willing to pay for your help in your local area.

In this guide, we’re walking you through what Taskrabbit is, how it works, and how you can sign up as a Tasker and start earning money. We’re also sharing some of the best ways to make money on the platform, plus a few tips on turning your side hustle into a sustainable business.

What is Taskrabbit?

Taskrabbit is an online marketplace that connects people who need everyday jobs done with local workers who can do them. They call these workers Taskers.

Owned by IKEA, Taskrabbit acts as the middleman. If you need a job done, the platform connects you with local skilled people who can do it. From flat-pack wardrobe assembly to picking up your shopping. The customer opens the app, browses available Taskers, and books them directly. They turn up, complete the job, and get paid securely through the platform.

Taskrabbit: how does it work

It’s simple: the platform matches clients who need jobs done with Taskers who can do them.

• Clients post or search for jobs. They can post the task they need help with or browse and book a Tasker directly.
• You build a profile. List your services, set your hourly rate, and map out your local area.
• Get booked and paid through the app. After you agree on the details and complete the job, the platform automatically releases payment.
• You keep 100% of your rate. You take home the full hourly rate, plus any tips.
• Taskrabbit earns from client fees. It charges clients a service fee and a Trust & Support fee in addition to your rate.
• The app helps you price. The app suggests competitive rates based on your location, task type, and experience. Your recommended price increases as you complete jobs and earn more reviews.
• You’re self-employed. You’re an independent contractor, which means you’re responsible for sorting your own taxes.

How to get started

Getting set up on the app and becoming a Taskrabbit Tasker is quick and easy, and you can do most of it from your phone.

1. Check you meet their requirements

You must be over the age of 18 and able to work in one of Taskrabbit’s active cities in the UK. You’ll also need a smartphone operating on iOS or Android to access the app, and a standard UK current account. The app will also take you through a quick ID check.

2. Download the app and create your account

Download the Tasker app and create an account.

3. Choose your services and set your work area

Some categories, like minor home repairs, need previous experience or a willingness to learn, and others, like errands, don’t need any experience at all. So, select the categories you want to offer and the skills you have in each.

At this point, you’ll draw your Work Area Map. This boundary tells the app where you’re happy to travel to. Drawing it too small will limit your work, and drawing it too big will decrease your margin, so think about this carefully.

4. Set your availability and rate

Add at least one available slot so clients can book you and choose whether to opt in to same-day jobs to help you earn more money. The app offers price guidance to help you set competitive rates.

5. Verify your identity and pay the registration fee

Once you’ve set your profile up, Taskrabbit will verify it. This can take up to two working days. You’ll be sent to a partner site to take a photo of your ID and a selfie. Then you pay a non-refundable £25 registration fee.

Once your profile is approved, clients can find and book you, and you can start earning.

Top ways to make money on Taskrabbit

The platform welcomes all kinds of skillsets to help with home tasks. Here are some of the most common ways to make money on Taskrabbit.

1. Furniture assembly

IKEA bought Taskrabbit in 2017, which means furniture assembly is a large part of the Taskrabbit offering. You can even add assembly to your checkout in IKEA and find a local Tasker to build it all for you.

2. General handiwork or minor repairs

Picture hanging, TV mounting, putting up shelves, fixing a squeaky door or a broken drawer, you name it. If you’re handy and have the right tools, you can help them. And if you do a good job, chances are, they’ll call on you again for repeat business or pass your name on to a neighbour or friend.

3. Cleaning

We all lead busy lives, so cleaning naturally can end up at the bottom of the priority list. So there'll always be a high demand for cleaning services. Not necessarily weekly cleaning jobs either, perhaps bigger, more profitable ones like cleaning hot tubs ready for summer, or jet washing driveways.

4. Moving and delivery help

Moving house is stressful, and many people could do with a spare pair of hands when the big day arrives. If you’re strong, reliable, and have a suitable van/vehicle, you could offer these kinds of services.

5. Gardening

Offering basic gardening services like mowing lawns, weeding, strimming hedges, and generally tidying the garden can be a great way to earn some extra income. If you have a lawn mower and some other gardening equipment, this could be a good earner.

6. Errands and personal assistance

If you don’t have a particular trade skill, there are still plenty of ways you can make money on Taskrabbit. Picking up shopping, queuing for prescriptions, or running odd jobs are very valuable services to people who just don’t have the time to do them themselves, or for people who struggle getting out of the house.

7. Painting and decorating

These are those jobs clients have put off for a long time, or don’t have the confidence to do themselves. If you’re someone who is tidy with a great eye for detail, these services could earn you a decent income.

Turning your side hustle into a sustainable business

Growing your Taskrabbit business into a dependable income takes a more strategic approach than accepting a few jobs. Here’s how you can make that change:

• Respond to customers quickly. If someone wants a job completed, they likely want it completed soon. Respond quickly while they still want the job done, get in first and give yourself the best possible chance of winning the job. Don’t forget to enable push notifications.
• Build up your reviews. Reviews give you credibility, so if your profile has lots of positive reviews, you can charge higher rates and ultimately earn more money. After you finish your job, ask your client for a review.
• Offer more than one service. You’ll appear in more jobs the more relevant categories you list. Understand which of your skills transfer to other jobs.
• Set the right rate. Use the Taskrabbit pricing guidance to help you set your rate. Don’t go too high and put clients off, and don’t go too low, as it’s hard to increase your prices in the future.
• Be reliable and always professional. Turn up on time and communicate clearly. Make sure your job is tidy, and you leave no room for complaints. Consistently good work will breed more jobs from word-of-mouth recommendations.
• Treat it like a business. Starting a business means keeping tabs on your income and expenses, recording your receipts digitally, and saving money for taxes.

How much can I make?

You won’t make lots of money overnight, but you can earn a decent income if you’re consistently collecting reviews, responding to clients promptly, and delivering good work.

You can accept as few or as many jobs as you like, giving you ultimate flexibility over your earnings. If you’re looking for a bit of extra cash or you’re hoping to generate a full-time income through the platform, there’s definitely scope for both. Location will play a part in how much you earn, and so will the services you offer, how available you are for jobs, and how many positive reviews you have.

Taskrabbit CEO, Ania Smith, spoke about a New York Tasker who made $200,000 in their first year on the platform, completing jobs like TV mounting. He grouped nearby jobs together and purchased a scooter to get around the city quickly. This is a perfect example of when high-demand service and efficiency pay off significantly.

The average new Tasker can expect to earn between $1,000 and $1,500 USD per month (roughly £745-£1,118 GBP) if they put in the time. So if you’re willing to put the work in and don’t mind the gig economy and the unsteady income that can come with it, then it could be worth it.

Some drawbacks to bear in mind:

• The gig economy means you won’t guarantee steady pay
• To maximise earnings, you might need to diversify your skillset
• In busy cities, there can be high competition for jobs

How can Capalona support your Taskrabbit business?

As your Taskrabbit business grows, you might need a little extra capital to help you take it to the next level. Maybe you want to invest in better tools, buy a new van to carry your tools around, cover the cost of project materials upfront, or just bolster cash flow when you have quieter periods.

That’s where Capalona can help. We help small businesses find and compare business finance from our panel of trusted UK lenders. We can help you find traditional products like startup loans or small business loans, or alternative finance like asset finance.

Whatever type of loan you’re looking for, we can help you compare all eligible options in one place.

Checking your eligibility won’t affect your credit score, and there’s no obligation to accept any quote. Find and compare business loans here.

Taskrabbit FAQs

How to file taxes for Taskrabbit?

As a UK Tasker, you’re self-employed, so you need to declare your earnings to HMRC and pay the tax you owe. You do have a £1,000 trading allowance, though, so you don’t need to register for self-assessment until you reach that. You can easily submit your own self-assessment, but if you need help, you could always look into hiring an accountant.

How much does it cost to set up my business on Taskrabbit?

There’s a one-time, non-refundable £25 registration fee in the UK.

Do I need to be a registered business to sign up with Taskrabbit?

No. Although you will need to register your business once you earn more than £1,000. Most independent contractors register as sole traders with HMRC, as it’s free. But you can also use Taskrabbit if you’re a limited company or a partnership, as well.