Disclosure: Neighbr is ours. The advice works with any app, or with pen and paper.
In short
For small jobs, ask close to home: a handy neighbour, a local student or an odd jobs app. Describe one job clearly, set a fair price for it, meet the person before they come in, and pay when it’s done. Leave electrical, gas and plumbing to licensed trades.
- One clear job beats a vague list.
- Price by the job.
- Electrical, gas and plumbing go to licensed trades.
Small jobs people ask for
- Hang a TV, shelves, mirrors, pictures or curtains
- Fix a sticking door or a loose cabinet
- Move a bed, couch or appliance
- Assemble flat-pack furniture
- Set up Wi-Fi, a printer or a smart TV
- Clear out a garage or basement
- Groceries, pharmacy or dump runs
- Yard work, snow shovelling and dog walks
Where to look
A neighbour or local student for quick, simple jobs; a handyman for a list of small repairs in one visit; and a licensed electrician, gas fitter or plumber for anything touching wiring, gas or pipes. In Canada that work often needs a licence and sometimes a permit.
Apps help you reach people nearby you don’t know yet. We compared them in TaskRabbit alternatives in Canada.
How to ask so people say yes
Be specific: what, roughly where, when, what tools are needed, and the price. “Hang a 55-inch TV on a drywall wall, mount included, Saturday morning, $40” gets quicker offers than “need a handyman”. Add a photo.
For lifting jobs, say how many stairs. Our guide on getting help moving a couch has more.
Stay safe with someone new
- Read their reviews and how often they’ve helped before you pick.
- Share your exact address only with the person you pick.
- Meet somewhere public first if you’d like, and have someone else home when they come in.
- Keep the conversation in one chat, so the details are written down.
- Don’t pay in full up front; pay when the job’s done.
- Trust your gut — if something feels off, cancel.
How to ask with Neighbr
- Ask in a few taps. Pick a ready-made ask or type your own, add photos, say when, and set a price or ask for a free favour.
- Neighbours nearby offer. Get a ping when someone offers. Compare notes, prices, ratings, how often they’ve helped and whether their phone is verified.
- Pick one and chat privately. Chat opens only after you pick — no cold messages. Report or block anyone, any time.
- Follow it to done. Every ask shows where it’s up to — posted, offers, picked, done — and asking again is one tap.
Neighbr is free with no fees, and it never handles money — you settle up directly, by cash, e-Transfer or however you both agree. Want to earn instead? Browse nearby requests, long-press to save one for later, and widen the search in one tap when your area is quiet.
Common questions
How do I find someone to do odd jobs near me?
Ask neighbours and local students, a handyman for a list of repairs, or an odd jobs app that shows your ask to people nearby.
Is there an app to find people to do odd jobs?
Yes — Neighbr is free: you ask, neighbours nearby offer, and you pick who. It never handles money.
How much should I pay for odd jobs?
Agree a price per job up front, based on the time, tools and any stairs or heavy lifting involved.
How do I stay safe hiring someone I don’t know?
Read their reviews, share your address only with the person you pick, have someone else home, keep messages in one chat and pay when the job’s done.
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