How to start a local errand business
By the Momsity team · Updated
Starting an errand business is mostly about four decisions: which errands you'll take on, how far you'll travel, how you'll price your time, and where your first clients will come from. The paperwork is usually manageable, though the rules vary by city and state, so check your local requirements and talk with a tax professional before you start. The hard part for most new errand businesses isn't setup, it's steady local demand.
Pick a clear set of services
"I'll do anything" is hard to price and hard to market. Start with a short list of errands you can do well and repeat often: returns and package runs, pharmacy and store pickups, waiting at home for deliveries, donation drop-offs, and simple household jobs. Add services once you know what clients actually ask for.
Be just as clear about what you won't do. Many errand businesses avoid anything involving childcare, medical tasks, or handling large amounts of a client's cash.
Set a service area
Errands are paid by the job, but driving is paid by nobody. Decide on a radius you'll cover and stick to it. A tight area means less unpaid travel and a better chance of fitting several jobs into one trip.
The basic paperwork
Requirements depend on where you live, so treat this as a list of questions to look up, not legal advice.
- Business structure: many people start as a sole proprietor; others form an LLC
- A business license or registration, if your city or county requires one
- A separate bank account so business income and costs stay easy to track
- Records of income, mileage, and expenses for tax time
- How self-employment taxes work for you; a tax professional can help
Insurance questions to ask
Personal auto policies don't always cover driving for business, so ask your insurer how errands affect your coverage. Many small service businesses also look at general liability insurance. An insurance agent can tell you what makes sense for the work you plan to do.
Pricing your time
Most errand businesses price by the hour, by the job, or with a minimum per visit. Whatever you choose, count the whole job: travel, waiting in line, parking, and the time it takes to coordinate. Look at what local errand services and handyman businesses charge, and adjust once you see how long jobs really take.
Finding your first clients
Early clients come from trust. Show up when you said you would, communicate clearly, and make it easy for people to tell a friend.
- Neighbors, friends, and local community groups
- Busy families, older adults, and their adult children
- Local realtors, property managers, and small offices
- Marketplaces where people post local jobs they need done
Common mistakes
- Taking every job regardless of distance
- Pricing only the time spent on the errand itself
- Agreeing to jobs you're not comfortable or qualified to do
- Mixing personal and business money
Where Momsity fits
Momsity is one place to find local clients. Members post everyday Tasks, and MOMs, including small businesses that join as a MOM Business, choose which Tasks to offer on. You set your area and services, offer the payout you need, and get paid through Stripe after the Task is confirmed. Some services, such as rides, moving, car help, and house sitting, need Momsity approval first.
What Momsity doesn't do
- Momsity doesn't guarantee income, hours, or a number of Tasks. Demand depends on what Members in your area post.
- MOMs are independent contractors, responsible for their own taxes, licenses, and insurance.
- Childcare and medical care aren't offered on Momsity.
Read how Momsity works and how trust and payments work.
Ready to become a MOM?
Creating a MOM profile is free. You choose which Tasks to offer on, and there are no minimum hours.