If you don’t want to sit behind a computer all day, you might consider earning extra cash by running errands for others.
Whether you’d like to go into business for yourself or use one of the helpful online services, making money while helping others is a great way to earn a living.
These Platforms Can Help You Make Money Running Errands
With these platforms and mobile apps, you can offer services such as helping people tackle their to-do lists, running errands, light housekeeping, dog walking, grocery shopping, and other tasks that they need help with. With these gigs, you’ll work as an independent contractor, choosing when and how many hours you want to work.
1. Care.com
Care.com is a marketplace where individuals can request help with child care, tutoring, senior care, pet care, housekeeping, and running errands. With Care.com, you can create a profile and search for job listings. People request help with all sorts of tasks, including errands, household management, travel scheduling, furniture assembly, organizational tasks, meal prep, and more! According to Indeed, caregivers earn an average of $21.70 per hour, with top earners making $26.81 per hour.
- Care.com receives a 4.2-star rating on Indeed.
2. DoorDash
With DoorDash, you can make money by delivering restaurant meals to people who don’t feel like leaving home. With this app, you can use your bike, scooter, motorcycle, or car; you just need to be at least 18 years old and pass a criminal background check. DoorDash is available in 7,000 cities across the US, 80 cities in Canada, and select cities in Australia and New Zealand.
The sign-up process only takes a few minutes, and most drivers can start working in a few days. According to Indeed, the average hourly rate for a dasher is $17.17, with top earners reaching $33.50 per hour.
If this sounds appealing, check out this honest review of being a DoorDash delivery driver.
- DoorDash receives a 3.3-star rating on Indeed.
3. Favor
Favor is a Texas-based company that offers people in major Texas cities a side gig to become a runner (personal assistant). With Favor, you can deliver groceries, pick up dry cleaning, deliver tacos, run to home improvement stores, and more! To sign up, you’ll need a current smartphone, a clean driving record, and be at least 18 years old. Runners earn a portion of each delivery ($2-$14 base and 100% of their tips).
- Favor receives a 3.5-star rating on Indeed.
4. Herewith
Herewith is a mobile app that connects seniors with caregivers who can help them with chores, cooking, pet care, errands, tech assistance, and companionship. To become a helper, you’ll need to create an account and pass a free background check. Once those items are complete, you can choose the services you want to offer and get paid daily for one-off tasks and weekly for ongoing assignments. According to their website, helpers can earn $25-$35 per hour.
- Herewith receives a 3.8-star rating on Indeed.
5. Instacart Shopper
With Instacart, you can become a full-service shopper (1099 contractor) who shops and delivers groceries to customers, or you can become an in-store shopper (part-time W-2 worker) and just shop for the items on the grocery list.
If you decide to work as a full-service shopper, you’ll need a vehicle, but the hours are flexible, and you set your own schedule. To get started as a full-service shopper, download the app, set up your profile, and upload your driver’s license and bank info. Once your account is approved, you’ll see shopping assignments listed in the app.
To become an in-store shopper, either download the app and apply or go to their website and apply there. As an in-store shopper, you’ll earn an hourly wage, and you can work up to 29 hours per week.
According to this article, full-service shoppers earn $22.82 per hour, and in-store shoppers earn an average of $15.82 per hour.
- Instacart receives a 3-star rating on Indeed.
6. Shipt Shopper
Using the Shipt app, you can make money shopping for others! You can shop at grocery stores and local stores like Target. To use the Shipt app, you’ll need to be at least 18 years old, have a valid driver’s license and auto insurance, a current smartphone, and a reliable car. Shoppers will earn base pay, tips, and bonus opportunities, and payouts are distributed weekly. According to Indeed, the average hourly pay is $23.15, with top earners earning $30.94 per hour.
- Shipt receives a 3.3-star rating on Indeed.
7. TaskRabbit
You can deliver items such as groceries, dry cleaning – even furniture. You can pick up items at the store or pharmacy, drop off donations, and more. Signing up through TaskRabbit means that you will be connected with people in your neighborhood. According to this article, the average tasker can earn an extra $100 a month doing random side gigs. Although some full-time taskers, like Vanessa Garcia, earn $9,000 monthly, charging $60-$100 per task!
- TaskRabbit receives a 3.5-star rating on Indeed.
8. Uber Eats
Uber Eats is another way to make money by delivering food from restaurants. With Uber Eats, you can use your vehicle, scooter, or bike to make deliveries, and you can create your own schedule. Using the app, you see exactly what you’ll earn before accepting an assignment, and you get to keep 100% of your tips. Payments are automatically distributed weekly, or you can request your earnings up to six times a day with Instant Pay. According to Tallo, drivers can expect to earn $15 to $25 per hour before expenses.
- Uber Eats receives a 3.3-star rating on Indeed.
9. Rover
If you enjoy caring for pets, sign up with Rover. With the Rover app, you can choose the kinds of services you offer, what pets you’ll care for, and your hourly rate. To start with Rover, you must create an account and pay for a background check. Once approved, you can connect with pet owners who need your services. From feeding, dog walking, scooping litter, training, and boarding, there is a wide variety of ways to make extra money with this side gig. According to Indeed, the average hourly rate for a pet sitter is $24.17, with top earners bringing in $27.07 per hour.
- Rover receives a 4.3-star rating on Indeed.
10. Thumbtack
Do you have a knack for getting small tasks done? Then, consider signing up with Thumbtack. With Thumbtack, you can work on tasks that involve home remodeling, home maintenance, and outdoor upkeep. Or you can provide services like life coaching, personal training, tax prep, web design, and even singing and sewing lessons!
To get started, create your account and set your own prices. For using the platform, Thumbtack charges a lead fee and a booking fee, based on the type of service offered and the scope of the work. According to ZipRecruiter, the average hourly rate for a gig worker is $19.71, with top gig workers earning up to $39.90 per hour.
- Thumbtack receives a 4-star rating on Indeed.
Start Your Own Errand Service Business
Depending on your financial goals and whether you want to work part-time or full-time hours, you may decide to start your own personal assistant business. Starting a business allows you to work on the tasks you enjoy the most while setting your own rates.
Here are some personal assistant niches to consider, along with service offerings you might offer clients.
Make Money Running Errands for Seniors
Some seniors are unable to drive, and others have limited mobility. Simple trips out of the house to the store or other errands become burdensome and hard to manage. Because of this, they appreciate having someone to run errands for them. You can go grocery shopping, pay bills, pick up prescription medication, take them to their hair appointments, do laundry, and go to the Post Office – just to name a few.
If you want to explore this niche further, be sure to check out the book Start Your Own Senior Services Business by Charlene Davis.
Running Errands for Busy Professionals
This is something I’ve contemplated doing myself. When you think about it, most small business owners are consumed with their businesses and have very little time to run errands for themselves. Whether they own a restaurant, a retail store, or even a home-based business, their daytime hours (when errands, like going to the Post Office, picking up prescriptions, and picking up dry cleaning, have to be done) are usually spent working.
Running Errands for New Parents
This is another venture I’ve considered doing myself to help new parents take a little of the stress out of those first few months. There were times when I had all four of my kids, and I would have gladly paid someone to do a quick errand or two for me if it meant I didn’t have to take all the kids out to the store. From getting groceries, picking up dry cleaning, and taking the dog to the vet and groomer, to purchasing gifts and running to the bank.
Pick the Type of Errands You’ll Run
Once you’ve picked your niche, decide on the types of errands you’ll run. Maybe you’re an excellent gift-giver, or you have an eye for style, and acting as a personal shopper will be one of your main offerings. Or maybe you prefer to be around kids, so you’ll offer drop-off and pick-up services for parents.
If you’re not certain what services to offer, you can choose from the list below.
- Bringing the car for washes, maintenance, and oil changes
- Picking up mail, dry cleaning, and packages
- Pet care, feeding, dog walking, and bringing to the vet
- Grocery shopping and delivery
- Paying bills
- Standing in line
- Organization services and donation drop-offs
- Menu planning and meal prep
- Buying gifts
- Watering plants
- House-sitting
- Help with packing and moving
- Picking up prescriptions
- Going to the Post Office
- Returning books to the library
- Waiting for the repair person
- Research vacation destinations and book travel
- Schedule appointments
How Much to Charge for Your Services
As an errand runner, you can charge per service, by the hour, or by package.
For instance, you may offer four tiers of services:
- 5 hours per month – $250
- 10 hours per month – $475
- 20 hours per month – $925
- 40 hours per month – $1,825
Bundled packages allow you to better manage your time, client base, and earnings predictability. However, charging by the package doesn’t allow for charging more for more difficult tasks, like moving or home maintenance repairs. When deciding on pricing, you’ll want to include travel time, wear and tear on your car, self-employment taxes, insurance, and other expenses you’ll incur as a small business owner.
Get the Word Out
While you can use a third-party app to connect with clients, you can potentially earn more money running your own business. Having a website is a great way to showcase your offerings, but you can also use social media if you don’t have the money to invest in one. Posting notices in local Facebook and Nextdoor groups is a great way to get the word out. Lastly, be sure to ask for word-of-mouth referrals from current customers. You can even offer current customers a small discount on future services for referring potential customers to you.
How Much Can You Earn From Errand-Running Jobs?
Most people charge by the hour for this service. You can include a small stipend for mileage if you choose, or even a per-mile surcharge if your drive time varies from week to week. The pay range can also vary depending on where you’re located and what tasks you’re doing. According to ZipRecruiter, you can earn an average of $20 per hour, with top errand runners earning up to $41 per hour!
Make Money Running Errands
Whether you’re looking for a full-time job, a part-time side hustle, or you want to start a business, being an errand runner is a great option. Of course, you’ll need the minimal requirements of having reliable transportation, a valid driver’s license, and a smartphone, as well as being highly organized.
Otherwise, running errands is a flexible opportunity where you have control of your potential earnings, which is a great feeling. Almost as good as the positive feelings you’ll have when you know you’re making a difference in someone else’s life.
Want to explore this business idea further? Take a look at Kelly Schaefer’s book, The Concierge Life: What You Need to Know to Build a Successful Business, Live Your Passion, and Change the World.
