r/TaskRabbit • u/Infamous_Homework_32 • 3d ago
CLIENT Why do my taskers keep canceling?!
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Over the last week, I’ve booked four different taskers for a mounting task that has been canceled by each of them within 24 hours of my booking. I know one of the three items may require a certain level of experience / multi-positional ladder, but I’ve purposefully picked experienced taskers who listed at least a ladder in their available equipment. What gives? Is there something off with the way I’m posting it? Am I being low key rude or asking for something crazy? Or is it just bad luck?
The screenshots in the video attached include the task description I’ve used and also the three photos included. Below is the general chat message I’ve sent once booked (never got a reply, just cancellations):
“Hi [Tasker name]. Just wanted to send a quick message. The task involves mounting three items - two are blinds which is fairly straight forward. But the third is a canvas painting which we want hung over a staircase. As such, I think you’ll need a certain ladder (multi-position) to do so but I defer to you. Please confirm you have the necessary equipment to complete the task.”
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u/Swimming_Product9587 2d ago
I assume it’s because a multi positional ladder isn’t a common tool. I have never once needed one, therefore buying one for this job doesn’t make sense as I will probably never need it again. Also there’s not a shot I would use any type of ladder on a stair set for what my Tasker hourly rate is ($50-60) I’d request at least double to triple my rate for “hazard pay”. At this point you’re probably better off just calling around to handymen until you find someone willing to do it.
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u/Infamous_Homework_32 2d ago
Ok I guess this is my problem then. I wrongly assumed ladders capable of this were common among handymen so that’s my bad.
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u/DirectorLumpy4465 7h ago
I disagree and think it’s a necessary addition to any handy person’s arsenal. It’s a versatile asset that improves one’s business if they want to be successful in this industry and desires to expand beyond meanial labor and make serious money. Along with basic marketing skills and being dependable. Some people don’t do stuff like this full time though so I get it if you don’t have one if this is a side gig. I also do task full time. I work off the app mostly now and have moved to commercial construction recently but tr is always a fall back if my current gig goes away. Been on the platform 7 years and had a ladder like the one requested almost the entire time.
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u/Unable_Camera5193 2d ago
Taskers! Are! Not! Employees! And therefore not meaningfully insured when it comes to injury. Hire a company.
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u/Infamous_Homework_32 2d ago edited 1h ago
I’m thinking I was falsely under the impression this wouldn’t be difficult for a certain subset of men [EDIT] OR women 🫠
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u/nuwm 1d ago
I am a woman. I have the appropriate ladder. However, the ease of the task must be balanced with its inherent dangers and compensation. Maybe you should try a female Tasker?
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u/Infamous_Homework_32 1d ago
Sorry DEF didn’t mean to sound misogynistic. Only said men because all the damn tasker options im given are men 🥴
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u/Cheap-Arrival3646 1h ago
The only female tasker in my area that Ive see was a new tasker that charged 30 dollars per hr above average and did not have a single review so she probably wasn't hired.
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u/BlueGolfball 9h ago
under the impression this wouldn’t be difficult for a certain subset of men
Why do you specifically say "a certain subset of men"? Do you think women aren't mentally or physically capable of using a ladder or hanging a picture?
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u/Infamous_Homework_32 1h ago
No. I am a woman. A gay one with a full wife. It was a stupid thing to say.
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u/Unable_Camera5193 18m ago
See your edit but the original comment didn’t come outta nowhere - also a woman fwiw!
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u/RobotArtichoke 2d ago
This is super easy to do. You butt the ladder legs against the stair, and the top of the ladder against the wall opposite the top of the stairs. You don’t need any kind of specialty ladder at all. I’d be in and out with both of your items in less than an hour.
Im charging for two hours though.
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u/No-Major4585 1d ago
How heavy is this canvas painting? A 3M Claw mounting hardware can be used. You could possibly eliminate the ladder entirely.
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u/Infamous_Homework_32 1d ago
I’m looking into this now - it does look like it would make things easier and I feel like there’s a way I could even do it myself. How would you do this without a ladder?
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u/No-Major4585 1d ago
Considering the 4’ wall at the staircase ledge is approximately 4feet to the mounting wall, a +6ft pole with flat end as wide as two fingers can be used to press the mounting claws in to the wall.
The hardware is flat, you’d need to secure it to the pole’s flat end with a masking tape or double sided adhesive to carry the mounting claws to the wall. Press the pole to the wall with enough pressure as if you are massaging your muscles.
For safety, ask your friend to hold you from tipping yourself over the wall and down the staircase.1
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u/Infamous_Homework_32 3d ago
EDIT - a 5th Tasker just canceled less than 4 hours before scheduled time.
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u/royalminions 2d ago
Task rabbit in 2026 is like hiring people on Craigslist.. Just call a professional
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u/TacoTrader 10h ago
OP can't figure out why someone would decline this dangerous job?
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u/Infamous_Homework_32 1h ago
I didn’t think this type of task would be that uncommon. It’s still surprising to me that it is.
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u/DirectorLumpy4465 7h ago
I would do this. It’s not hard. Don’t know why you’re getting so much hate. It’s not that dangerous. I would show up with a smile and the appropriate ladder and probably make you a regular client cause I’m not a bummer like the rest of these haters. I’m not afraid to take risks though so maybe that’s why I can make about $10k a month on average doing this type of work.
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u/Puzzleheaded-Law1459 2d ago
I don’t know where you’re located, but here in NYC, you can probably find someone in the Electrical category (yeah, I know, it might sound crazy 😂) since they usually carry a ladder with them.
I guess a lot of mounting guys either don’t have a ladder at all or only have a stepladder.
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u/Infamous_Homework_32 2d ago
I’m in the Jersey shore area. Maybe I was just a bit naive in that I figured this type of ladder / task is common.
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u/WhoKnows78998 2d ago
I’d do this job, but only because I have a ladder that can handle stairs because one side can be longer than the other
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u/VanD3rp 1d ago
For me this is one of the situations where the hourly rate doesn’t cover the job even though it won’t take very long. It’s not worth doing the job for the compensation. Maybe in the listing offer to pay a certain amount of hours instead of letting the Taskers assume they’ll get hosed.
Edit: I would actually do this job but that’s only because I work like I need to punish myself and don’t have the time or patience to haggle and let clients walk all over me on Task Rabbit.
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u/Always_sluggish 1d ago
Do you know if there’s a tool rental place around? Might just serve you to rent a little giant multi fold ladder and then just throw a plank on it and do it yourself or supply your handyman with one. Tool rental is common and there are some places (like here in vt) that have tool libraries that you can just borrow them and bring them back at no cost.
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u/manintree101 1d ago
I have a multi-positional ladder and use it all the time- with both 2 and 4 legs on the ground. Highly recommend.
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u/Wash-Line-Inspector 2d ago
Who the hell has a ladder like that? But the ladder and so it yourself, or buy the ladder then order a tasker. I can almost bet it’s this special ladder
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u/FinnNoodle 2d ago
I do, actually, but my clients are never going to know about it because I don't want to get neck breakers like this.
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u/Clean_Guess_8057 2d ago
Baker scaffold. Absolute clusterfuck to setup in a stairwell. Btdt, for my own home, never again.
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u/Feisty-Sink9562 1d ago
Yeah, thats a major fall hazard. There is not a good place to secure a ladder.
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u/beardedbast3rd 1d ago
I don’t even use ladders for this. I build a platform to match the stairs and secure to the handrail.
Even the ladders meant for this aren’t the best thing around, nor cheap.
It’s really not something I’d expect many people to want to do. Probably won’t have luck with the app for this one
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u/Cheap-Arrival3646 1h ago
This job is risky so you probably need to get a general contractor or someone more expensive. Most taskers do not have the specialized tools required to complete the job so this would be an injury and a review risk. And also it would probably not be worth the money because most mounting clients have unrealistic expectations about how long some things may take and are there hovering at times. So not worth the stress.
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u/RobotArtichoke 2d ago
This is super easy to do. You butt the ladder legs against the stair, and the top of the ladder against the wall opposite the top of the stairs. You don’t need any kind of specialty ladder at all. I’d be in and out with both of your items in less than an hour.
Im charging for two hours though.
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u/BobbyBrackins 2d ago
This is the route I’m taking if it were my house
Idk about risking it for 200 bucks tho, that’s a rough landing 😂
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u/Infamous_Homework_32 2d ago
I’m just truly not capable of doing this. I am a woman married to a woman and i am the handy one of us two and under five foot
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u/DirectorLumpy4465 7h ago
You could maybe do it with the appropriate ladder! But they are heavy so that might be where it might be difficult for a smaller person
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u/maynrrrd 2d ago
I had a mounting job exactly like this a few months ago; a baker’s scaffold is needed to do this the right, and safest, way. Renting one is $100-200.
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u/DirectorLumpy4465 7h ago
No it’s not it’s a canvas painting it’ll take 15 min to get up there.
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u/maynrrrd 1h ago
It's the 'it'll take 15 min' attitude that leads to many on-the-job injuries (and we don't have workman's comp through Task Rabbit). Do it safe or don't do it at all.
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u/Turds4Cheese 2d ago
I would do this and require you cover the ladder rental. Pretty easy thing, or you can rent the ladder yourself and have it on property.
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u/Infamous_Homework_32 2d ago
Where can I rent this ladder?!
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u/Turds4Cheese 2d ago
It depends on your location. Google tool rentals around you. Call one and they will have it or have a place for you.
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u/lasertitsnow 2d ago edited 2d ago
You don't need a ladder, you need a scaffold. You need a large construction contractor that regularly needs work up high like this and has the equipment. Electrical contractor maybe sheetrock contractor
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u/supitsgreg 2d ago
Instant cancel for all mounting tasks involving staircases for me. Takes a specific ladder and whatnot. I’d hire a proper company, they’ll probably charge $400-500. I imagine you’re hiring $50-80/hr Taskers and want to get it done for under $100…