If you’ve got more muscle than money, you may be able to even the scales by trying these moving gigs. Summer is traditionally high season for moving, which means dozens of moving companies are looking for fit freelancers able to lift and transport everything from boxes of china to sofas and refrigerators.
Most moving companies require that you’re able to lift 50-75 lbs without assistance.) You don’t need a truck. However, some companies will pay more if you have one that you’re willing to use.
Got a truck?
Check out Mothership, Citizen Shipper, uShip, Bungii, and Frayt. All five of these sites provide reasonable rates for people willing to use their truck or cargo van to move construction equipment, furniture and appliances. GoShare also offers good rates for movers with trucks, but enlists freelancers without trucks to assist.
No truck? No problem
However, even without a truck, you can make good money with moving gigs. Your best bet is to apply with local moving companies in your city, or check out these side gig platforms. These half-dozen do not require you to have a truck. But you will need transportation to get to jobs.
Taskrabbit
Taskrabbit allows freelancers to list their services for nearly any legal side gig. However, the site is actively advertising for moving gigs, likely because of the summer spike in demand. Freelancers who want to use the site to find moving jobs simply post a profile that states their qualifications, rates and availability. Taskrabbit will present your profile anytime someone in your geographic area requests the service.
Airtasker
Like Taskrabbit, Airtasker is a broad-based freelance site where you can list your availability to handle almost any service, from process serving to delivery. However, the way this site works is clients say what the service they need and what they’re willing to pay for it. “Taskers” reply with questions, negotiations, or with an explanation about why they’re the right person for the job.
GoShare
GoShare enlists freelancers to help people move things — sometimes to move from one house to another; sometimes just to get a refrigerator or sofa from Target to home. Gigs are priced based on mileage from pick-up to drop-off, plus time. However, the site brags that it’s among the best paid of freelance moving sites. Offering average pay exceeding $45 an hour for labor-only and considerably more for those using their own cargo van or truck.
HireAHelper
HireAHelper allows movers to sign up and list their moving services — labor only or full-service (including a truck). Movers are expected to maintain their own insurance coverage for both liability, workers compensation and damage to customer goods, but the site has automatic coverage for minor damages. Customers may also buy more comprehensive coverage.
Movers bid on jobs, setting their own rates. But the site will take a commission ranging between 15% and 29%, depending on the type of move. Also know that the site always requires two movers for each job, so enlist a buddy if you want to work through this site.
Dolly
Dolly enlists freelance movers — both with and without trucks — to assist with both full moves and with large-item deliveries. The site says that freelancers working through the site earn an average of $35 to $50. But, each job is priced individually and your hourly rate will depend on how quickly you complete the work. They site tells you what the job is, where, and how much it pays. You can accept or ignore the request.
Bellhop
If you want to sign up to be a mover (i.e. not a driver, but someone willing to pick up and move furniture), you click on the mover link on the Bellhop site and fill out an application. This explains the requirements, which include being 18 or older and able to lift 100 lbs; having a smart phone; downloading the app; and being able to pass a background check and online interview. If accepted, you fill in your availability and will start getting notified about potential jobs. Jobs pay between $15 and $20 an hour, plus tips.
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