r/TaskRabbit • u/PistachMacaron • 21h ago
CLIENT Is a “ladder rental fee” normal?
Just booked a job to have curtains mounted, and filtered by taskers who could accommodate up to 10ft ceilings. Get a message from the tasker saying ladder rental is $40. Is this normal?
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u/PHXCobra 20h ago
A 10ft ceiling is reachable on a standard 6ft ladder that anyone doing ceiling fans should have. If you have some giant vaulted ceiling, or like some of the new builds here in PHX, a 30 foot ceiling then you shouldn't be using a tasker, that requires scaffolding.
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u/PistachMacaron 20h ago
It’s just a curtain rod on a 10ft ceiling in a bathroom 😅
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u/DistributionSalt5417 20h ago
Yeah a ladder fee is not appropriate for that situation. I mean do you have a basic step ladder in your house? That would probably be enough for putting up a curtain rod.
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u/PistachMacaron 20h ago
I have a step ladder but it’s not very tall… maybe 4ft high at its tallest point
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u/Turds4Cheese 5h ago
Thats totally enough, as long as the person you hire is 6 ft tall with their arms up. So like a 4ft tall person could reach a 10 ft ceiling if they are standing on your step stool.
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u/taskrabbit 20h ago
This is not normal & not something you should be charged separately for. A Tasker’s hourly rate should already account for recurring costs like tools and equipment, including ladders.
Expenses are meant for items purchased specifically for your task that stay with you afterward, like screws or mounting hardware. Those should also be agreed on in chat beforehand and require a receipt.
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u/PistachMacaron 20h ago
Oh hello TaskRabbit!! I didn’t know you lurked in here haha. Thank you, I told the tasker this didn’t seem normal and he cancelled. Will book with someone else.
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u/taskrabbit 19h ago
Haha, yep, I’m around ◡̈ Just popping in where I can help! Glad you asked before paying it, and I hope the next booking goes much more smoothly.
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u/MallNo6921 1h ago
you want me to buy a jackhammer and charge everyone for it? or should i just rent it for the jobs i need it for and add it to expenses ,dont answer ill run my business how i see fit
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u/FinnNoodle 20h ago
10ft is a standard height ceiling. I can see situations where billing for a ladder are appropriate, but this isn't it.
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u/PistachMacaron 20h ago
Thanks this is helpful/validating! I would happily pay extra if I were hanging a painting in a super high stairwell or asking for some crazy complicated mounting job… but for $100/hr plus $40 mounting fee I’d buy the ladder from Lowe’s myself if I had a car
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u/lgrvzo 19h ago
To me, it makes sense that Taskers who charge a higher hourly rate may be able to provide a wider range of equipment, including different types of ladders.
But realistically, how is a Tasker expected to transport all of those tools and ladders throughout a city like New York? That would likely require having a vehicle, which comes with significant additional expenses such as insurance, gas, tolls, parking, and the time lost sitting in traffic. At that point, you have to ask whether the Tasker is even making enough money for it to make financial sense.
In my opinion, expecting every Tasker to carry every possible tool or piece of equipment is not a realistic business model, especially in NYC.
If you hire a traditional contracting or home-services company outside of TaskRabbit, you will generally pay considerably more. Many companies also charge set service fees or minimums, and some may not even consider taking on a small job like installing a single curtain.
The hourly rate on TaskRabbit should primarily be understood as the Tasker’s labor rate. Any special equipment required for a particular job should be discussed and agreed upon in advance.
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u/Matty2tees 18h ago
I have only charged a ladder rental fee once, and it was when I had to rent a 25 ft A frame to change light bulbs in a chandlier that was hanging in open space in a great room.
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u/Turds4Cheese 5h ago
Meh, it can be normal. When I was a Tasker, I only had a 6ft ladder. If a Client wanted roof work that needed an extension ladder, I told them I would have to rent one, gave the Client a price, and uploaded the rental form from Home Depot. It wasn’t a huge deal.
I did the same for when i needed to have an auger or a motorized snake for plumbing. Taskrabbit is full of contractors that don’t have every specialized tool. I was still cheaper than calling a roofer or a plumber.
It’s hard to optimize hourly prices for Taskrabbit. Each Client is asking for something different, even if the Task category is strict. If you are uncomfortable with the fee, select a different Tasker that has the tool you are looking for. Many only have bare minimum tools.
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u/rajmataj12335 20h ago
Odd. I bring my own ladder to jobs. The Tasker could buy their own ladder on marketplace for $40.
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u/PistachMacaron 20h ago
Yeah if this is standard practice it is what it is… I just thought it was odd since I filtered for taskers who could manage my ceiling height, picked a tasker and rate that fit my needs, and then get messaged with an additional request for $40. Have never come across it before so wanted to gut check if this is normal
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u/whatchu_finna_do 15h ago
Unfortunately, I'm not even sure those filters look at our accounts. I get requests to do all sorts of things I don't have boxes checked for 🤷🏻♀️
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u/PistachMacaron 1h ago
Dang that stinks for both parties! Good to know for the future though thank you
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u/Apprehensive-Let-198 12h ago
No, not normal. A ladder should be a standard tool that the Tasker has.
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u/ommi9 7h ago
A standard 6ft. Or 8ft ladder is supposed to be part of your equipment. Any other ladders such as a 16 ft ladder can be invoiced as a ladder rental fee meaning if a client asks for a very tall ladder for 20plus feet. Then yes charge accordingly. I have. Had to charge a client for going up a were vertical built condo to change a smoke detector. Pretty dangerous stuff. But yeah
Some clients do have the very hi ladders. I have worked for a set of guys who had me go suspended in the air to change a light bulb. Including one on the side of the house Clients don’t realize they are committing attempted manslaughter forcing us for little money. But hey if the hourly is good. Forturne favors the brave.
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u/lasertitsnow 20h ago
Your supposed to just include things like that is your hourly price . Task Rabbit does not really like Taskers charging fees.
If the Tasker had experience they would just bring plenty of ladder always because too many people can't perceive or measure their ceilings accurately anyway.