Thumbtack Review [2026]: Get Paid for Home Services (original) (raw)

Are you handy with a hammer or a whiz with window repairs? A carpet cleaner, pest control specialist, or general contractor? (If you can answer "yes" to all five, we're seriously impressed.) Thumbtack is a platform that helps to connect all sorts of professionals with potential customers within the home service space.

Whether you're looking for a new side hustle or already have an established small business, you understand the challenge of finding new leads (and turning those leads into paying clients). And you don't need us to tell you that advertising can be expensive. But Thumbtack is free to start using, and you pay only when customers reach out to you. Thumbtack even provides tips to help you understand your competitors. However, for all its benefits, Thumbtack is only going to be a good side hustle for you if you're a home professional. If you provide another type of service, like photography or catering, it's not the right platform for you.

Featured side hustle to consider

What is Thumbtack?

Thumbtack is an online platform that matches local home service professionals with customers. It's headquartered in San Francisco and was founded in 2008. Since then, more than 90 million projects have been started on the platform. Thumbtack pros offer more than 500 different service categories, and thousands of customers use it to connect with local service providers every day. The platform claims it generates over 30,000 leads every day.

When you sign up for the service as a professional, you're considered a Thumbtack Pro. You'll be asked what type of service you provide and where you're located.

How does Thumbtack work?

It's free to create a profile on Thumbtack, and there's no subscription fee. You pay only when a customer reaches out to you, which is considered a direct lead. Thumbtack's pricing for these leads varies depending on the value of each task. And to make sure that only the right kind of customers reach out, you can set preferences around what hours you'd like to work, where you'd like to work, and what kinds of jobs you'd like to take.

When a customer who exactly matches your preferences reaches out to you, you'll automatically pay for that lead and get a 20% discount. If a customer who only partially matches your preferences reaches out to you, you'll have the option to decline the lead or accept it at full price. You can also reach out to customers who have contacted other pros already. In this case, you'll pay only if the customer replies to you.

Who is it best for?

Thumbtack isn't for everyone. Some professionals who use the service say leads are too expensive; others say you have to spend money to make money. Some pros rave about how quickly they find jobs on Thumbtack; others are frustrated by paying for referrals that didn't turn into jobs.

Another potential downside of Thumbtack is that the types of services you can offer as a professional are somewhat limited.

Editor's note

Thumbtack used to cater to a much wider range of professionals, but it has since narrowed its scope to homeowners and home service providers. It used to be a better general-purpose site for finding odd jobs, but it may appeal to fewer people now.

Other side hustles to try if you like doing odd jobs

Although Thumbtack is an excellent service for many professionals, it's not the best side hustle for everyone. If you provide a service that doesn't fit Thumbtack's mold, check out TaskRabbit.

For more flexibility in when you work and how you get paid, consider another side hustle. We always recommend delivery driving with an app like Uber Eats or Doordash if you're willing to leave the house and there's demand in your area, because it's one of the easiest ways to potentially earn money in your spare time, and it doesn't require any special skills.

If you're skilled at home improvements, landscaping, or other home services, HomeAdvisor Pro is worth considering if Thumbtack isn't the right fit. HomeAdvisor makes it easy for its Pros to connect with homeowners, and it could end up being a lucrative side hustle or help you expand your existing business.

How much does it cost to use Thumbtack?

Thumbtack pricing is simple upfront: It's free to create a profile, and there's no subscription fee. You pay only when a customer reaches out to you, and this is where things get more complex. The cost of leads varies based on a number of factors

The cost of lead generation depends on a number of factors, including the scope of the project, your location, and how many pros are available. If a customer reaches out to a number of different pros, you'll get a competition discount. And if you respond to a lead quickly (within four business hours), but the customer doesn't view your message for 48 hours, you'll get a refund on that lead.

You must be 18 years old to offer your services on Thumbtack. By registering, you certify that you are qualified and hold any licenses, certifications, bonds, and/or insurance required by law. Thumbtack allows you to list nearly any professional service, taking the guesswork out of how to make money. The categories of services offered on the platform are:

Popular home services (such as swimming pools, roof installation, and window tinting)
Additions and installations (such as wall-mounted TVs and flooring)
Cleaning and organization (such as deep cleaning and exterior house cleaning)
Remodeling
Maintenance and repair (such as general contractor, painting, or garage door repair services)
Other popular services (such as gazebo repair or deck cleaning)
Pest control

How much can you earn with Thumbtack?

On Thumbtack, you set your own prices. It's a good idea to give a base price, which is typically an hourly rate or flat fee, so customers can get an idea of how much you charge upfront. If you can't price a service without seeing the job request first, you can provide a price range, such as a minimum and maximum per square foot.

When it comes time to get paid for your work, you'll arrange the payment details directly with the customer rather than through Thumbtack. That's why it's a good idea to write out a contract and request an initial deposit before you start. Be sure to update the customer of any changes in price and show evidence of your expenses to avoid disagreements. If you have issues collecting a payment from a customer, you can reach out to Thumbtack for support.

Tips to get more jobs

The best way to maximize your earnings on Thumbtack is to make sure your leads turn into jobs. Thumbtack offers the following tips:

Add a great photo and description to your profile. Make sure you have a good headshot and smile. Highlight anything that makes you unique in your profile, such as certifications, training, or awards.
Tailor your quotes to your customers. You should always use the customer's name and reference details from their request. You might also make suggestions and include photos of similar jobs.
Communicate promptly and follow up. Download the Thumbtack mobile app so you can respond immediately when a request comes through. Once you receive notification that a customer has viewed your quote, reach out to the customer and let them know how you can help. Check back after a few weeks and follow up again if the customer still hasn't hired a pro.
Learn from feedback. Thumbtack tracks millions of cost estimates to help you understand how your quotes compare to those of your competitors. Check out the profiles of your top competitors and see if there are ways to improve yours. You can also ask customers for feedback directly.
Provide superior service. Make sure the work you do, along with the customer experience you provide, is top quality.
Get reviews. When you finish a job and have a satisfied customer, let them know how much you'd appreciate a review. They'll receive a reminder from Thumbtack, but a personal request from you could make all the difference. The more great reviews you collect, the higher you'll rank in Thumbtack's search results, which will help you attract new customers.

Thumbtack Top Pros

Top pros on Thumbtack get a badge on their profile that sets them apart from the competition. To earn top pro status, you must:

Respond to new customers within four local business hours 75% of the time
Maintain a 4.8 rating from verified reviews
Receive a minimum of five verified reviews within the past year
Complete a background check

How to get good Thumbtack reviews

Provide an excellent customer experience. From the initial quote to the final goodbye, Thumbtack customers should feel comfortable with you and confident in their decision to hire you. To achieve this, make sure you are friendly, responsive, and knowledgeable when answering their questions and addressing their concerns. Doing so might help you get more positive reviews.
Exceed expectations. Always provide top-quality work, no matter how big or small the job. At the very least, make sure you deliver what the customer asked for and always look for ways to go above and beyond. Exceeding expectations might help you avoid negative reviews.
Request a review. Upon completing a job, ask your customers how they feel about your service. Use this as an opportunity to request a review. If the customer still hasn't left a review after a few weeks, consider sending them a personalized note. For example, if you were a DJ at a wedding, send a note congratulating the newlywed couple. With your note, include instructions on how to leave a review.

How to stay safe on Thumbtack

To protect yourself and your business, make sure you:

Get it in writing. Get the customer to sign a written agreement outlining their expectations and the cost of the project.
Report suspicious or discriminatory requests. If you face discrimination or get a request that seems spammy, don't respond. Report the request to Thumbtack instead.
Tell someone before you start a project. Let a friend, family member, or employee know where you'll be for the job and keep your phone handy in case of an emergency.
Leave if you feel unsafe. Let Thumbtack know if you left a job because you sensed that the situation might be dangerous. If there is an immediate threat to your safety, call 911.

FAQs

How to get started with Thumbtack

Signing up for a Thumbtack account is simple; start by entering your line of work and location at Thumbtack.com and click "Sign up for free." From there, you'll build a profile showcasing your service. Include basic information like your phone number, customer reviews, prices, photos, and anything else that sets you apart from competitors. You'll need to provide your credit card information to get leads.

Does Thumbtack really work?

Yes, Thumbtack generates more than 30,000 leads a day. Not all leads turn into jobs, and you may need to tweak your profile or adjust your prices to compete on the platform, but plenty of pros have been successful on Thumbtack.

Does Thumbtack send fake leads?

No, Thumbtack does not generate phony requests. If a request seems like a scam, you should report it to Thumbtack rather than respond to it.

How do pros get paid on Thumbtack?

Payments are arranged between the pro and the customer rather than through the Thumbtack platform. You can choose which payment methods you'll accept from a customer.