Why you should NOT hire Task Rabbit
On-demand service apps like Task Rabbit, Handy, and Thumbtack are a convenient way to mark things off of your to-do list, but are they safe? These services hire 1099 contractors who operate as their own businesses. These online platforms do not require proof of liability insurance, or competence, and there is no verification for their contractors, other than a criminal background check.
Price, not the only factor:
There is a reason these “Taskers” can charge so little for TV mounting service in Austin. It’s common for Taskers to do this work part-time. They are not running an actual business with overhead like insurance. If a Tasker causes damage to you, your belongings, or your home, Task Rabbit will not cover the cost of the damage. Task Rabbit offers a “Happiness Pledge” but read the fine print, as it clearly states it is not insurance.
Countless YouTube videos and Reddit threads are showing the kind of damage done by these untrained and uninsured Taskers. Other apps like Thumbtack and Handy operate in the same way as TaskRabbit and offer no protection for consumers. Although tasks like TV mounting and curtain installation could be done with very little training or tools, to do it right, a contractor will need much more than just a drill and a quick YouTube training session. There are a lot of things to consider before getting started.
Safety Considerations:
There are some serious safety precautions that must be taken, before drilling into walls. The contractor must know what potential hazards could be hiding behind the wall. Although it’s always possible a pipe, electrical wire, or other hazard could be hidden anywhere in the walls, there are some instances where hazards are guaranteed to be present. The main hazards a contractor should be aware of are water supply lines, sewage pipes, electrical wires, and gas lines. If the wall being drilled into is near a sink, shower, or other plumbing fixture, it is important to use extra caution. The same is true for gas lines connected to stoves or furnaces. Pipes and electrical wires are supposed to be run in specific places, according to code, but remember that builders sometimes cut corners, so these hazards may not be where they are expected to be.
Minimizing Risk:
The best way to minimize accidents is to avoid where hazards are most likely to be located. Contractors should stay away from electrical outlets, faucets, and drains if possible. If drilling or driving screws into wood studs, they should avoid drilling or driving fasteners more than 1 1/4” into the stud. Wood studs are 3 1/2” deep, and the center 1” is used for running pipes and electrical wires. That leaves 1 1/4” of safe space on either side of the stud. Most drywall is 1/2” thick, but may be as thin as 1/4”. In most situations like TV Mounting, fasteners like screws or lag screws do not need to penetrate the wood stud more than 1” to be effective. If we only need 1” of penetration into the stud, and the thickest drywall is 1/2”, our maximum screw length should be 1 1/2” plus the thickness of whatever is being mounted to the wall. This will allow the screw to penetrate through the thickest drywall, plus 1” into the stud, without going too deep and potentially hitting a pipe or electrical wire.
If the item must be mounted in an area close to potential hazards, using a camera is the best way to ensure avoiding damage. This requires drilling a small hole through the drywall, then inserting a scope-style camera which allows a contractor to see exactly what is hiding inside the wall. It’s also a good idea to know where the circuit breaker and water main shut-off are in case of an accident.
Other concerns:
Understanding how to properly find the center of a stud, and how to choose the right fastener are also important factors in doing the job correctly. Sometimes, despite taking all these precautions a contractor may still end up damaging a pipe or a wire that was improperly placed by the builder. If a contractor or Tasker hits one of these hazards, this is when you will need to file an insurance claim. If a Tasker doesn’t have liability insurance, you may end up paying for the damages. If you live in an apartment or condo, and damage your neighbor’s unit, you or your renters insurance will have to pay for the damages to the building and personal property, and will also have to pay for temporary housing for displaced neighbors, due to this accident. In many cases, the minimum required renters insurance may not be enough to cover these damages.
Even if a Tasker doesn’t hit a pipe, or wire, there is also a risk that they just don’t know how to properly Mount a TV or install curtain rods. If your Tasker or contractor is inexperienced and unprofessional, they might use the wrong fasteners, causing the item to fall off the wall. They may damage your TV, scratch your furniture, scuff your drywall and paint, track mud onto your carpet, or leave a pile of drywall dust and other messes. As a professional, Veteran-owned wall mounting service in Austin Texas, we take pride in our work, our professionalism, and our communication.
Cost:
Our services will be more expensive than apps like Task Rabbit, but we promise you will get what you pay for. We make the process safe, professional, clean, and easy. Our technicians are professionally trained and we carry a $1 million general liability policy in the unlikely event that an accident occurs. If you would like your items professionally mounted to your wall, please contact us and we will contact you to schedule an installation appointment.
