There are many Taskers who exclusively task in the Yard Work category, while others probably wouldn’t know where to begin. Whether you’re a seasoned Yard Work Tasker or are just getting started, this blog will help you get prepared so you find success in this popular category.
A Category Filled With Opportunity
Although Clients are requesting more and more Yard Work tasks compared to previous years, 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 categories–has nuances of its own that you should understand before getting started.
In this post we’ll provide an overview of Yard Work, break down the different tasks in this category, 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 & 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 need. 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 to do upon getting 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 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 require larger tools like a lawnmower, leaf blower, or tree trimmer. Clients often consider it the responsibility of the Tasker to bring such items to the task if they are required. If neither you nor your Client owns a tool that’s required, you can rent (and expense) them for tasks. Learn more in this Burrow 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 category. 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. Is there anything you’d like to know about Yard Work? Tell us in the comments below!
Information provided by The Burrow is for general and informational purposes only and we make no warranty regarding the accuracy, completeness, or validity of any content.
