TaskRabbit home chore business expanding to Minneapolis

It's one of a growing number of services in the on-demand sharing economy.

March 17, 2017 at 1:42AM
(Terry Sauer/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

TaskRabbit, a San Francisco-based firm that helps connect consumers with local providers of home services, repairs, yard work and hauling, is expanding to the Twin Cities.

Founded in 2008, it's one of a growing number of services in the on-demand sharing economy that rely on the internet and smartphones for efficiency.

In 2015, Amazon Home Services also rolled out its marketplace to help consumers find specialists in repairs, painting, plumbing, dog walking and other needs to the local region.

In addition to the Twin Cities, TaskRabbit also launched Thursday in Charlotte, N.C., Cincinnati, Kansas City, Mo., and Salt Lake City. With the expansion, the service is running in 24 cities in the U.S. and the United Kingdom.

In Minneapolis, TaskRabbit will be available immediately in neighborhoods such as Uptown, North Loop, Linden Hills, Whittier, Logan Park, Prospect Park and Marcy-Holmes.

A company spokeswoman would not say how many "taskers" have been signed up in the Twin Cities, saying it will depend on the local demand.

The company said service providers set their own rates, but its contractors usually earn an average of $35 an hour.

TaskRabbit said it vets and conducts full background checks on all service providers. Customers use the TaskRabbit mobile app or its website to fill out a job request.

Kavita Kumar • 612-673-4113

about the writer

Kavita Kumar

Community Engagement Director

Kavita Kumar is the community engagement director for the Opinion section of the Star Tribune. She was previously a reporter on the business desk.

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