There are many Taskers who exclusively task in Yard Work while others probably wouldn’t know where to begin. Whether you’re a seasoned Yard Work Tasker or are just getting started, this post will help you get prepared so you find success with this popular skill.
A Skill Filled With Opportunity
Although clients are requesting more and more Yard Work tasks lately, a lot of Taskers are not yet opted into this category. This means there is plenty of opportunity to be successful as a Yard Work Tasker! But Yard Work—like all skills—has nuances of its own that top Taskers recommend you understand before getting started.
In this post we’ll provide an overview of Yard Work, break down the different tasks in this skill, and give you an idea of what a client might expect from their Tasker.
What Is Yard Work?
You may have heard terms like “lawn care,” “lawn maintenance,” and “landscaping.” All of these fall under Yard Work. Broadly, these tasks aim to maintain an outdoor space to keep it healthy, clean, safe, and attractive. On Taskrabbit, Yard Work can be broken down into the following subcategories:
- Mowing
- Weeding
- Tree trimming
- Gutter cleaning
- Raking
- Moving and hauling junk
Now’s the time to get started! Yard Work tasks are popular year-round, but demand for these tasks is usually the highest during summer. Tasks start to pick up in April, peak from May to July when people spend the most time outdoors, and trail off in the winter months.
What Do Clients Look For?
Clients will rely on you not only for your skills, but also to bring the right tools and equipment to get their tasks done. Having your own equipment enables you to begin working as soon as you arrive on-site and prevents any mixups that arise when you realize your client doesn’t own the tools you’re hoping to use. Here are some basic Yard Work tools that always come in handy:
- Lawn care tools: lawnmower, string trimmer, leaf blower
- Protective gear: gardening gloves, knee pads, garden seat, and portable safety barrier
- Hauling and transport tools: wheelbarrows, garden carts, and bags for leaves/waste
- Gardening tools: rakes, weeders, trowels, aerators, and cultivators
- Cutting tools: shears, loppers, hand pruners, and pruning saws
- Digging tools: shovels and augers
The first thing top Yard Work Taskers recommend doing once you’re hired is to communicate clearly with your client. This will help you scope out the task and understand what they need. Here are some questions you might want to ask:
- What type of task is it? (i.e. mowing, trimming, etc.)
- What are the highest priorities for this task? When it comes to Yard Work, there’s always something extra that can be done. Knowing precisely what you as a Tasker need to get done will ensure that your task has a clear beginning, middle, and end.
- Does your client own tools or equipment required for this task? Some tasks benefit from larger tools like a lawnmower, leaf blower, or tree trimmer. Clients often consider it the Tasker’s responsibility to bring such items to the task. If neither you nor your client owns a tool that’s needed to successfully complete the task, you can rent and expense it. (Learn more in this post.)
Successfully Tasking in Yard Work
While Yard Work is unique in many ways, the keys to doing well remain the same as for any other skill. Here is advice sourced from 5-star rated Yard Work Taskers on how to be successful:
- Thorough descriptions along with prompt and tactful communication with clients. – Neil H., Denver
- Being polite, working hard, and going above and beyond expectations. – Thomas F., Washington
- I would say success is built on effort level and a willingness to always get the job done. – Trent S., Phoenix
- What makes anyone successful is doing what you say you’re going to do. Also having the knowledge and skills of the task being performed. – Saul R., Dallas/Fort Worth
This advice from the Tasker community describes what it takes to be successful in any category. At the end of the day, it all comes down to: effort, communication, reliability, and skills.
Information provided by the Taskrabbit blog is for general and informational purposes only and we make no warranty regarding the accuracy, completeness, or validity of any content.
