Errand Service

Why This Business

Errand services help busy people manage daily tasks: grocery shopping, post office, bank, pharmacy runs. You’ll charge $20-$50 per errand or $15-$25 per hour. Flexible scheduling works around your life. Customers appreciate convenience and pay reliably. The business scales from solo operation to multiple runners. No inventory or special equipment required.

What You Need to Start

Reliable vehicle (use existing). Phone and simple booking app ($50-$200/month). Business license ($50-$150). Liability insurance ($300-$500/year). Optional: professional shirt/uniform ($50-$100). Total startup: $500-$1,000.

Step-by-Step Roadmap

Create simple Facebook business page and Google My Business listing. List on TaskRabbit, Fiverr, or Care.com to get initial customers. Build network of satisfied clients through word-of-mouth. Charge $20-$40 per errand depending on complexity and time. Start with 5-10 regular customers to build stable base. Expand through referrals and reviews. Consider payment app integration for easy invoicing. Scale with additional runners when demand exceeds capacity.

Startup Costs Breakdown

Reliable vehicle (use existing): $0 Phone and app: $50-$200/month Business license: $50-$150 Insurance: $300-$500/year Professional clothing (optional): $50-$100 Initial marketing: $100-$200

How to Get Your First 10 Customers

List on TaskRabbit, Care.com, and Fiverr immediately for customer flow. Post on Nextdoor and local Facebook groups. Approach senior living facilities and offer services. Ask friends and family for referrals. Offer first errand discounted ($15) to build reviews. Create simple website explaining services. Ask every customer for referrals to friends and neighbors. Build Google reviews aggressively—reviews drive demand.

Pricing Guide

Single errand (under 1 hour): $20-$35 Grocery shopping: $25-$50 Multi-location errand: $35-$60 Hourly service: $15-$25/hour Rush service premium: +$10-$20 Delivery service: $20-$50

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Don’t accept payment in cash only; use Venmo, PayPal, or cards. Don’t over-commit on time estimates; arrive early or on time always. Don’t ignore customer communication; text updates build trust. Don’t handle cash; use contactless payment methods. Don’t skip background checks; elderly customers need reassurance. Don’t drive recklessly; safe driving is your brand promise.

How WeLead Lab Helps

WeLead Lab mentors have scaled errand services into staffed operations managing hundreds of customers. Learn how to systematize scheduling and customer communication. Access templates for service agreements and payment processing. Discover how to build recurring customer relationships and loyalty. Connect with senior living facilities and corporate offices for bulk services. Get strategies for scaling beyond personal capacity through team building.