Hello everyone,
I have had some really cool opportunities lately with a yardwork gig I have and I wanted to share in case it was a good fit for anyone else out there.
For the last 5.5 years I have been getting self-employment work through an app called TaskRabbit. There is a wide range of "tasks" that you can offer to do for people, anywhere from standing in line for someone to higher end skilled trades projects. What is interesting about this is that all of the "Taskers" can choose their own hourly rates, choose what categories you want to get work in, and it is really flexible schedule wise to work for any level of availability to make a little bit of extra money. While I don't stand in line for people and don't build IKEA furniture anymore (what TaskRabbit is best known for) I have had some great opportunities in many levels come out of doing yardwork in particular.
Here are some of the benefits:
1) Over the last couple years, I have been able to charge between $70-$80 an hour for my services. rates are flexible on there and it depends on the market you are working in as to if you might generate leads making less or more than this. You can set your rates at whatever you want, but TR has a suggested range based on your experience and if you set your rates in the "green zone" then the algorithm will boost you toward the top of the listings.
2) I have had LOTS of opportunities to forage unwanted plants, cuttings, and seeds and it is a great way to start or diversify your property for free. This year I have acquired raspberry, mint and strawberry plants, grape vine cuttings, apple cuttings, currant cuttings, and plum cuttings. I am new to starting perennials from cuttings, but it has offered me a great learning opportunity to keep trying to build that skill completely risk free.
3) This generates LOTS of potential compost or mulching material. Last year I got a job that was getting a field of mullein under control and ended up with at least a cubic yard of mullein plants. I trench composted all of them and that garden bed is doing GREAT. Obviously sometimes you run the risk of not knowing how it has been managed before, so I oftentimes do a quick evaluation (check for any evil bottles of poison in their garage) and ask questions about previous maintenance methods.
4) I have in my yardwork pitch that I am studying permaculture and this has led to a few opportunities for consultations and even requests for designs!
5) The leads I generate on TaskRabbit I am supposed to complete through the app, BUT I am allowed to leave my business card after the job is over and then I can have repeat clients and build relationships outside of the app.
I have a few hand tools and a few power tools that I put to use, but there is no huge startup cost involved, and I sometimes even use the client's lawnmower in order to save me the hassle of loading the mower and hauling it. TaskRabbit is mostly in higher populated areas, but they are expanding their range and now have it available in all 50 States and a lot of Europe. If you are within decent driving range of an area like this, you might want to check and see if TaskRabbit is available in your area. It is still not passive income or home production income (which I am personally working on), but I think it is a great place to start generating some work for your own business and it makes the transition away from a "normal" job pretty easy.
I don't know what it costs these days to sign up, but when I signed up it cost me $25 to run a background check.
If this interests you at all and you decide to sign up, this is my referral code: ZSXBK5B
if you can slap that in there while you are at it then it just gives me $25 after you complete your first task.
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