Work with on-demand handyman app: Here is the details on fees

An image comparing TaskRabbit, Handy, Takl, and Homee. This is taken from EFynch's website but we have verified the information. Takl (from Nashville) comes in the highest and seems the be the "boldest" (not in a good way). Taskrabbit is 2nd both groups assess a 40%+ fee. Competitors are lower and have better sites.

Working with an on demand- handyman app can be a valuable prospect.

Home Improvement is one of the last industries to engage in digital and it is one of the largest in the U.S.

Historically, home improvement has also been hard for advertisers as the field is crowded and the smart run away with the work leaving the small and independent guys to fend for scraps.  Around Maryland and Washington D.C., most independent handyman take year to build a customer base and typically the more successful guys are in their later years of their careers and had started while in their early 20's to build their rolodex.

Enter technology. Apps and the digital world are trying to reshape this. We are still in the early years of this movement but we looked at several local companies in the Maryland/ D.C./ and Virginia areas to see how each stacked up and treated their listed service providers.

Here is a list:

Taskrabbit: A quick Google Search shows several lawsuits in the past. With taskrabbit you are somewhat working for their organization. They say they do this to control standards but it seems to be a way to dictate price.

Handy: Same as Taskrabbit- you actually work for Handy. I had a Handy housecleaner work at my house before- she gave me her number as she left and I used her for another 2 years. They take such a high fee I didn't think it was fair.

Takl: Takl is a new group out of Nashhville. Working with Takl appears to be okay at first because the founder is a good ole boy who has been known to treat people right. This is good EXCEPT- Takl only allows for limited jobs and takes the highest commission cuts out of any of the competitors. Takl has to pay for all the commercials you hear and at the end- you may only walk away with 50% of what the customers has paid. Competition will likely overtake this group very quickly.

EFynch: We like EFynch. It's an open platform and they take the smallest fees (a modest 2% currently). The platform is 100% open and EFynch claims to be a community for connections (homeowner and handyman). This local group has promise and one of the few which has no restrictions on how many jobs you must take. 

We could not find much on Homee. Unlike TaskRabbit and Takl, Homee has has little press but the rates still seem extremely high.

See the chart above. Handyman and home improvement is competitive. Contractors need to find new ways to reach customers because the industry is shifting and the old dinosaurs will be left in the cold.  As we just celebrated Independance day in Washington D.C., we have to wait and see how the year unfolds in this industry. Things are changing but in our opinion commission rates are FAR too high for full penetration.

So if you need a handyman still where to go? It is still about going out and getting bids wherever you can and comparing multiple options for that next contractor.

Maryland, Washington D.C. Northern Virginia Roofing and home improvment app: EFynch Review

Baltimore Startup proves a “win- win” when performing home improvement and roofing replacement jobs around the home.

Timoniun, MD: Whether you need a small task, odd job, daily chore or whatever around the home- local startup app https://www.efynch.com has proven to be the Baltimore startup that can reshape the way you get it done. With low fees and a 100% transparent system, EFynch provides a way for any homeowner to find the local handyman, plumber, electrician, side worker, moonlighter, or even that summer break teacher looking for extra money doing handyman chores.

It started in Towson when the co-founder needed help hanging a tv (general labor or someone to just help assist him lift the tv). From there EFynch blossomed. They grew an app, took an small office space outside Federal Hill in Baltimore City and then their first paying customer came our of Crofton for a roofing job. The projects continued to roll in.

Handyman work in Columbia.
TV mounting in Ellicott City
Gutter cleaning in Glen Burnie/ Pasadena
fence installation in Reistertown

Then. . . EFynch Home Improvement Community expanded into the rest of Maryland, Washington D.C., and Northern Virginia.

Roofing in Chevy Chase
Drywall in Rockville
Painters in Columbia
Faucet in College Park
Toilet in Laurel

Alexandria, Arlington, Washington D.C, Upper Marlboro, Annapolis, Bethesda, etc. etc.

One area where EFynch really began to excel was Roofing. One of the most competitive industries in the Home Improvement Sector- homeowner know roofs are expensive, and the sales is way too strong.

EFynch allows a homeowner to take pictures of their roof, post it to the “roofing board” anonymously and get roofing bids from local roofers.  The system was developed with contractors and homeowners working together to get this done.
The results- roofs were being installed for as much as 40% below “retail roofing rates”- (think calling the add you see on TV- they are expensive- EFynch can help find a Maryland/ DC/ Virginia Roofer for much lower).

So why shift through the sales when needing a new roof?

We recommend trying EFynch (https://www.efynch.com) Privacy is protected and you can save a good bit of money getting a quality service. Roofers are constantly looking for work to keep crews busy- this is a way to capitalize on your next roofing projects and get a discount!

EFynch “Your Neighborhood Home Improvement App”.