Has anyone used Taskrabbit/Airtasker or similar for minor home jobs/repairs?

[Epona]

I've got a couple of things that need doing that I cannot manage myself, and was thinking about trying either Taskrabbit or Airtasker to hire a handyperson/odd job person for a couple of hours.

I just wondered whether anyone had any experience with using these services?

The tasks I need doing are: removal of around 10x carpet grippers and associated nails from the hallway floor (concrete), and hanging an internal door, so not actually jobs that will probably take very long for someone with the right tools and knows what they are doing, but will require tools/PPE and a bit of brute force and/or physical strength (it's the latter I cannot manage myself!).

 

[Petcha]

Yeh I've used Taskrabbit loads of times. For all sorts of things from installing a whole new shower to constructing an Ikea wardrobe. Highly recommended. I've used them about 10 times and never had issues, they bring all their own stuff and once you agree the price you just chat directly to them.

Sounds like you could get someone to do the whole lot, ie, an all-rounder. Just put all that in the job description.

 

[Epona]

Yeh I've used Taskrabbit loads of times. For all sorts of things from installing a whole new shower to constructing an Ikea wardrobe. Highly recommended. I've used them about 10 times and never had issues, they bring all their own stuff and once you agree the price you just chat directly to them.

Sounds like you could get someone to do the whole lot, ie, an all-rounder. Just put all that in the job description.

That's reassuring, ta.

I always feel a bit stupid if I can't do these things myself, but it's usually to do with lack of physical strength or ability to kneel/squat/bend down, which sucks, but it is what it is and sometimes I just need to accept that it's a job I need to get someone in to do, rather than something I'm putting off until blah blah blah make a few excuses (if that makes sense!)

 

[Mrs Miggins]

I’ve used them too for hanging pictures and some wallpapering. Both things I could do myself if I tried but would be much better done by someone competent.

Both experiences were great so I’d definitely recommend using them. It’s not cheap but the job gets done and done properly.

I’m going to look for someone soon to put a light fitting up and change some dimmer switches.

 

[Epona]

Conversation with N just now (bear in mind we both have physical disabilities):

Me: I'm going to get someone in early next week to take up the carpet grippers in the hall
Him: But I can do that, no need to pay someone
Me: Well when do you want to do it?
Him: Tell me what you need done and let me have a look at it
Me: I want the carpet grippers taken up, and I wanted it done 5 years ago when I removed the carpet, if you wanted to do it you've had 5 years to do so.
Him: I don't think we need to pay anyone to do it

Me: Smacks head against wall.

 

[Eric Jarvis]

I've used Taskrabbit a couple of times and was fairly pleased with them.

 

[Lord Camomile]

I was looking at this before Christmas, but more for admin-type tasks.

Far as I can tell, Taskrabbit is focused on manual stuff, but having had the briefest of looks at Airtasker, that might be more suitable for admin tasks?

 

[The39thStep]

I've used them over here for assembling tedious Ikea and Leroy Merlin stuff. Very good

 

[Lord Camomile]

if you wanted to do it you've had 5 years to do so.

This is kind of where I've got with myself, tbh.

Kind of... I'm at least having those thoughts with a bit more sincerity and conviction than previously. Just how much stuff getting done that actually translates to, of course, remains to be seen.

 

[Epona]

This is kind of where I've got with myself, tbh.

Kind of... I'm at least having those thoughts with a bit more sincerity and conviction than previously. Just how much stuff getting done that actually translates to, of course, remains to be seen.

I am just at the point now where the job needs doing - I can't do it, realistically N can't do it either regardless of how much he likes the idea of saying he will do it and being able to do it, I want it done quickly (as we have new kittens that want to be let out of the bedroom and race around the flat and the carpet grippers are spiky and hazardous with kittens bombing around) so I'm just going to bite the bullet and pay for someone to come and do it.
If someone said to me right at this moment "would you pay for this situation to no longer exist?" I'd be going "shut up and take my money" - so that is what needs to happen, it's at the point where paying for it to be done is less hassle even though we're not that flush.
I don't need to worry about the state of the floor, or what type of flooring I might use next (it's vinyl tiles on concrete which is fine in practical terms and I'll probably just put vinyl roll type thing on top at some point, I can use some screed myself if need be, when it comes to it), I just need the spiky bits that can cause injury gone asap.

 

[skyscraper101]

I used Taskrabbit to build a couple of IKEA wardrobes as I was absolutely shattered with building other stuff by that point and just couldn't face another 2 hours on my knees with a screwdriver cursing the world. The guy came over and had them done in half the time with powertools, and he also fixed the headboard on my bed for no extra. Well worth it.

 

[Mrs Miggins]

Go for it Epona!

I faffed about for years with pictures in frames stacked up on the floor thinking “oh one day I’ll get a drill and look up how to hang pictures on YouTube”

And then I got someone round from Task Rabbit and he hung 10 pictures in about half an hour. It was great.

 

[cesare]

I've used taskrabbit a few times and been very happy. Now you mention it, I've got loads that needs doing that I've not been able to do maybe I will again shortly.

 

[Epona]

Cool, thanks for the advice, will go ahead and list the job later and hopefully get it done Monday or Tuesday
And hopefully get a door put back on the kitchen too, we have the door it's just not attached.
When you have kittens having a door on the kitchen is preferable.
I have kittens

 

[Mation]

I've used Taskrabbit a couple of times, too. Both for (different) plumbing things, with the same tasker, and was happy with them/him

Spoiler: wittering about going directly vs via the app

After last time, a year after the first, he gave me his number in case there's a next time and I want to cut out the middleman, costing me less whilst paying him more.

Now the thing he (a year and a half ago) fixed, but said might start happening again, has started happening again. Around 30 seconds or so after I've flushed the loo, it starts another flush on its own. This time it's half-hearted and stops after a bit, unlike before he fixed it, when it just kept pouring until I pressed flush again, or turned on the tap on the sink.

I'm not sure whether to go to him directly, or to stick with getting him or someone via Taskrabbit, with the benefit of whatever protection that affords. (I haven't looked that up yet, and the problem isn't bad enough for me to do anything about yet, so please don't expend too much energy on advising. I'm just wittering, really )

 

[MickiQ]

Conversation with N just now (bear in mind we both have physical disabilities):

Me: I'm going to get someone in early next week to take up the carpet grippers in the hall
Him: But I can do that, no need to pay someone
Me: Well when do you want to do it?
Him: Tell me what you need done and let me have a look at it
Me: I want the carpet grippers taken up, and I wanted it done 5 years ago when I removed the carpet, if you wanted to do it you've had 5 years to do so.
Him: I don't think we need to pay anyone to do it

Me: Smacks head against wall.

His head or yours?

 

[story]

Epona
My advice is to make proper list of what you want done. Add extra stuff at the bottom.

It’s an aide memoir for you. In my experience, having a stranger in the place makes my head focus on the fact that there’s a stranger in my home rather than the work and the job. Having a piece of paper to look at helps me refocus on why they’re in my house.

 

[Mrs Miggins]

I've used Taskrabbit a couple of times, too. Both for (different) plumbing things, with the same tasker, and was happy with them/him

Spoiler: wittering about going directly vs via the app

After last time, a year after the first, he gave me his number in case there's a next time and I want to cut out the middleman, costing me less whilst paying him more.

Now the thing he (a year and a half ago) fixed, but said might start happening again, has started happening again. Around 30 seconds or so after I've flushed the loo, it starts another flush on its own. This time it's half-hearted and stops after a bit, unlike before he fixed it, when it just kept pouring until I pressed flush again, or turned on the tap on the sink.

I'm not sure whether to go to him directly, or to stick with getting him or someone via Taskrabbit, with the benefit of whatever protection that affords. (I haven't looked that up yet, and the problem isn't bad enough for me to do anything about yet, so please don't expend too much energy on advising. I'm just wittering, really )

I’d go direct next time. The 2 people I’ve had round both gave me their cards so it would be cheaper for me and they end up with more.

Taskrabbit is a great way to find someone to do whatever job you need but I think it is probably a bit dear. I think it’s more for those niggling little jobs. It’s for that “odd job person” rather than a proper builder/electrician or whatever.

Mind you, the woman who did my wallpapering is a full on interior designer so I imagine it’s a way of earning a few extra quid for a quick, easy job for people like her.

 

[Petcha]

I’d go direct next time. The 2 people I’ve had round both gave me their cards so it would be cheaper for me and they end up with more.

Taskrabbit is a great way to find someone to do whatever job you need but I think it is probably a bit dear. I think it’s more for those niggling little jobs. It’s for that “odd job person” rather than a proper builder/electrician or whatever.

Mind you, the woman who did my wallpapering is a full on interior designer so I imagine it’s a way of earning a few extra quid for a quick, easy job for people like her.

I've found them much cheaper than using a 'traditional' tradesman. I mean, you can filter by price and use that along with the comments to find the right person. Mine are usually about £20 an hour. Which is pretty cheap I think.

 

[Petcha]

I've found them much cheaper than using a 'traditional' tradesman. I mean, you can filter by price and use that along with the comments to find the right person. Mine are usually about £20 an hour. Which is pretty cheap I think.

We just used one of the guys for a bigger job. Replacing the entire shower. He charged 2.5k. The other guy the landlord found wanted 7.5k. The shower's perfect

 

[Mrs Miggins]

I've found them much cheaper than using a 'traditional' tradesman. I mean, you can filter by price and use that along with the comments to find the right person. Mine are usually about £20 an hour. Which is pretty cheap I think.

I’m completely prepared to be told I’m wrong here. It’s been a very long time since I had any tradesmen round so I’ve little idea how much things cost.

I decided on a price per hour but there were charges at the end that I hadn’t factored in and the final price was slightly more than I’d anticipated. It was still a price I was happy to pay and would still recommend using it.

 

[Petcha]

I’m completely prepared to be told I’m wrong here. It’s been a very long time since I had any tradesmen round so I’ve little idea how much things cost.

I decided on a price per hour but there were charges at the end that I hadn’t factored in and the final price was slightly more than I’d anticipated. It was still a price I was happy to pay and would still recommend using it.

I honestly have no idea either. But I know I've been ripped off in the past by tradesmen. I compare Taskrabbit vs plumbers etc to Uber vs black cabs... they were getting away with blue murder until these sites popped up. And they don't like the competition.

 

[Mation]

I’d go direct next time. The 2 people I’ve had round both gave me their cards so it would be cheaper for me and they end up with more.

Taskrabbit is a great way to find someone to do whatever job you need but I think it is probably a bit dear. I think it’s more for those niggling little jobs. It’s for that “odd job person” rather than a proper builder/electrician or whatever.

Mind you, the woman who did my wallpapering is a full on interior designer so I imagine it’s a way of earning a few extra quid for a quick, easy job for people like her.

Yeah, he's not a qualified plumber. I appreciated his honesty in saying so upfront and that he has a feeling for what's wrong most of the time, but there'd be some things he might not be able to fix, for which I'd need to get in a professional.

I haven't needed to, thus far, though. Guess I'm just wary of falling prey to some unspecified skulduggery.