TaskRabbit Moving Review

Written by Shane Sentelle Updated 01/14/2024

TaskRabbit is a centralized online hub where you can hire helpers for one-time tasks, including moving. It’s currently limited to major urban areas, but its availability is expanding. TaskRabbit workers—or Taskers—are fully vetted and are cheaper than hiring workers from a professional moving company. We reviewed the company’s pricing, costs, vetting processes, and more to help you determine if it’s the right choice for your move.

Our Take on Taskrabbit

TaskRabbit has a convenient, straightforward booking process. We found it easy to browse Taskers based on your project needs, budget, and moving date on both the website and app. We also like that you can read customer reviews directly on the interface. TaskRabbit is significantly cheaper than professional moving companies. The downside is that it doesn’t provide insurance for your belongings or the workers.

How To Use TaskRabbit

Hiring a Tasker is easy. You simply type your project into the search tool and select the best fit, whether you need help with a specific moving task or are looking for a full-service experience. Next, enter your job type, address, expected hours of the job, and a brief job description to see compatible workers. You’ll be shown profiles including essential details such as the Tasker’s hourly rate, number of jobs completed, and customer rating and reviews. You can also filter by factors including date, price range, and time of day. Finally, you can select a Tasker and book an available time.

Since TaskRabbit is currently only available in select high-population areas, booking last-minute may not be an option depending on demand. You must create an account on the TaskRabbit website or app to use the service.

Services

You can hire Taskers for the following moving-related services.

Loading and unloading of trucks and storage units
Furniture assembly
IKEA furniture assembly
Furniture delivery
Furniture disposal
General hauling and heavy lifting
Cleaning

General Handywork

TV mounting
Air conditioning unit installation
Painting
Plumbing
Light carpentry and construction
Cabinet installation
Yardwork

Cost

TaskRabbit’s prices are advertised as hourly rates. Taskers are free to set their own prices, which vary by city. When we searched for help with a medium-sized, full-service move in New York City, we were shown hourly rates ranging from $25–$250. When we searched for a move of the same size and scope in Denver, we were shown hourly rates of $38–$165. TaskRabbit listed average project rates of $59–$154 for help moving and $83–$186 for a full-service move. Each Tasker lists their rate on their page, and you can filter by price.

Elite Taskers—those with many positive reviews and jobs completed—will be on the higher end of the cost spectrum. Certain tasks, such as IKEA furniture assembly, may be billed on a per item basis rather than an hourly rate. Moving-related services, such as packing and unpacking, TV mounting, or hauling, will be midrange. Dedicated moving (think loading and unloading a truck) will cost the most. Some workers may charge extra if you live in a higher floor walk-up. This should be outlined in their profiles, but it’s something to ask about.

TaskRabbit typically costs less than hiring professional movers. International Van Lines, one of our top-rated moving providers, estimates that a local move (generally less than 50 miles) costs $150 per hour for a team of three movers. Our research shows that long-distance moves can cost into the thousands.

If you want to keep costs low but TaskRabbit isn’t a fit for your needs, check out our guide to cheap moving companies.

Payment Options

Payments can primarily be made through the TaskRabbit app or website. PayPal, cash, or check are also options, but the TaskRabbit payment platform has shown to be secure.

Communication

All Taskers are independent service providers and not employees, so communication and quality varies. However, information is outlined clearly on the TaskRabbit website and app. Each Tasker’s profile lists what tasks or moving jobs they’re proficient in, along with their transportation capabilities and any tools they can bring to a given job. This is especially important when shopping for help with furniture assembly.

Policies

TaskRabbit’s major con is that it doesn’t provide insurance for your possessions or the workers involved. Full-service movers have workers’ compensation and released liability insurances, but Taskers do not. TaskRabbit offers a “Happiness Pledge” which states that it might reimburse clients up to $10,000 for damaged property or broken/stolen belongings. This is a fallback if an agreement cannot be reached with the worker, but should not be relied upon. It’s possible your renters’ or homeowners’ insurance will cover damages, but you should consult your insurance provider before assuming this.

Clients may also be on the hook for cancellation fees if they cancel a job within 24 hours of its scheduled start time. This is usually equal to one hour’s pay for their selected Tasker.

Vetting Process

All Taskers undergo ID and criminal background checks. Any customer-service field has horror stories, but TaskRabbit has received generally favorable reviews. Of 16,683 reviews on Trustpilot, 78% are positive.

A common complaint is the lack of consumer protection due to no insurance coverage. However, unlike sites such as Craigslist, TaskRabbit has a customer support team to help resolve grievances.

Our Conclusion

We recommend TaskRabbit if you’re on a tight budget or need help with a small local or last-minute move. The website and app are easy to use, and though quality will vary among Taskers, the company’s reviews are overall positive. The downside is that TaskRabbit has minimal protection for your belongings and the workers involved. We suggest hiring a professional moving company if you have a large move, are moving long-distance, or have a lot of valuable items that need protection and care.

FAQ About TaskRabbit

Should I tip my Tasker? If yes, then what is a fair amount?

It’s best practice to tip your Tasker on the TaskRabbit website after your task is completed. The interface allows you to tip up to 30% of your job’s total cost. You can also tip with cash if you prefer. General etiquette is to tip $5 for every hour on the job.

How do I communicate with my Tasker before the job?

All communication between the Tasker and the client should be limited to the TaskRabbit app and website. Keeping your dialogue solely on the site will establish a paper trail for what is expected during the job. This is key for your own protection.

What if I need more than one worker?

If you need more than one worker, you’ll need to go through the hiring process multiple times. Taskers are prohibited from bringing outside workers to jobs. This is mainly because TaskRabbit cannot guarantee outside workers’ quality or background. It presents a risk to you as a consumer, and to them as a corporation. Unfortunately, you can’t expedite the process by sharing a joint task with multiple workers at once.

Can I expect my Tasker to bring tools or supplies to a job?

A Tasker may bring tools or supplies to a job, but this is up to their discretion. As independent contractors, each Tasker has their own ways of doing things and their own equipment. You should communicate with your worker about expectations before they start the job.

Is there a minimum cost when hiring with TaskRabbit?

Yes, there is a minimum cost when hiring a worker on TaskRabbit. Your Tasker will be paid for at least one hour, as this is the lowest amount of time they are allowed to invoice. They’ll be paid in 15-minute increments after the one-hour mark.

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