Dolly

What: Dolly connects movers and those needing help moving in select U.S. cities, paying more to those with trucks. 

Expected pay: $15 to $30 per hour, plus tips

Husl$core: $$$$

Commissions & Fees: NA

Where: Select U.S. cities, including Seattle, Portland, San Diego, Denver, Philadelphia, Chicago and Boston

Requirements: vary based on whether you’re a “Helper” — the person with a truck; or a “Hand” — the lower-paid person, who helps move stuff. Helpers must be at least 21 years old, have a valid drivers license and auto insurance, have a pickup truck, van or trailer; have a smart phone; be able to pass a background check; and be willing and able to lift and carry bulky items that weigh 75 pounds or more. You’ll also need a bank account where Dolly can direct-deposit your pay. Hands must be at least 18 years of age, able to pass a background check, willing and able to lift heavy items (75 pounds or more), have a valid drivers license and transportation to get to work, as well as a bank account to receive direct deposits. There are also positions for “Assistants,” who must pass a background check.

Review:

Dolly is an app that connects people who need help moving with strong-bodied side hustlers who are willing to pitch in. If you have a truck, van or trailer, you can qualify as a helper earn $30 or more per hour. If you just have a strong back and the transportation to get you to and from jobs, you can be a hand and earn $15 plus tips. The site also allows helpers to have “assistants.” However, they get no additional pay. They’re essentially sharing the pay of the helper, who presumably requested the assistant, according to a spokesman for Dolly.

The site provides customers with some coverage for items that are damaged or broken in transit, which appears to protect the workers. Kudos for that since some of the other moving sites, such as GoShare, actually hold drivers liable for damage. (You should still buy commercial liability coverage on your vehicle, however.)

The downside? You are an independent contractor and not covered by worker’s compensation insurance. Since moving heavy objects makes you more prone to injury than your average job, make sure you have good health coverage. Also realize that there are substantial costs to operating your truck (mileage, wear & tear, additional insurance, to name a few). And when you are moving people’s possessions, you may also want to invest in straps and other equipment to secure your cargo.

The deal with assistants is also strange, since an unaffiliated assistant would otherwise be called a “hand” on this site and get his or her own pay. That said, workers always get the ability to see the proposed pay before accepting a job, which makes this opportunity appear better than average for the right person. If helping people move is your thing, also check out Truxx, BuddyTruk and HitchIt.

What their users say:

I would like to see Dolly continue to grow as it’s been an easy way for us to get some extra income. The biggest bonus? My husband has lost 20lbs since last summer and credits the moving and lifting he’s been doing on his Dolly’s.

(from Glassdoor)