Category: taskm8 News

Cleaning an entire house is hard work and time-consuming, working individuals will admit it is like having a second job. While many people undertake the task of cleaning their homes themselves, there are numerous reasons why house cleaning should be left to the professionals. In this article, we will discuss the benefits of hiring professionals to clean your home.

Time-saving

Besides improving the cleanliness of your home, another main benefit of hiring a cleaning professional is saving time. We can all agree time is valuable and sometimes, there aren’t enough hours in the day to get through all of your cleaning chores! With a professional taking care of it, you will gain extra time to focus on other priorities such as spending quality time with family or focusing on work commitments.

Flexible

Hiring a professional to clean your home can be quite flexible, as many cleaning professionals create a personalised plan. This plan can be tailored to what areas of your home you want to be cleaned. Whether it’s the entire home, specific rooms or certain tasks, cleaning professionals can adapt their services to suit your needs. Cleaning professionals are highly skilled in general tasks as well as additional services including carpet cleaning, window cleaning and upholstery cleaning. You can also choose what day and time is most convenient for you. 

Cost-effective

While it involves an upfront expense, cleaning professionals apply the right techniques, work with professional cleaning products and use high-quality equipment, this means you receive the best and most effective cleaning results. As we mentioned above, time is valuable and irreplaceable, so anything that can save your time is worth the cost.

Health Living Environment

A cleaner home is a healthier one. Cleaning professionals use specific products and disinfectants to eliminate harmful bacteria, viruses, dirt and allergens. This is particularly important for those who suffer with allergies or asthma, as dusting and cleaning can be triggering. Hiring a cleaning professional will reduce these triggers which cause respiratory problems. It is also beneficial for those with a weak immune system, as it can help minimise the spread of illness and infections in the home. 

Hire a Cleaning Professional with taskm8

Now you know hiring a professional to clean your home is very beneficial, hiring one on taskm8 couldn’t be easier! Our online platform allows homeowners to post their cleaning tasks at a set price and gives the opportunity to people (m8’s) who are willing to complete those tasks for extra income. 

Over 800 people are using taskm8 to increase their productivity, you can become one of them too. Many of our m8’s are highly skilled in domestic cleaning as well as specialised cleaning tasks. If you’re interested in hiring a m8 to help clean your home, you can register with us if you haven’t already by creating a free account, or by simply downloading our app on the App Store or Google Play. Post your task, choose a m8 and get the job done!

In the hustle and bustle of modern life, maintaining a clean and tidy home can often feel like a momentous challenge or virtually impossible, especially for those with busy lifestyles. However, with a well-organised approach and a basic house cleaning checklist, you can simplify house cleaning and keep your living space looking its best without devoting endless hours to it. 

Set Clear Goals

Before diving straight into house cleaning, it’s essential to set clear goals. Determining which areas of your home need more attention than others will help prioritise tasks accordingly. This will help you stay focused on what needs to be done and avoid feeling overwhelmed by all the cleaning tasks you have to do. 

Declutter Regularly

In busy households, decluttering may not happen enough. In fact, clutter can make cleaning more challenging and time-consuming. Make decluttering a part of your daily routine by putting away items after use and decluttering sections of your belongings regularly. Donate or discard any belongings you no longer need to keep your living space tidy and clutter-free.

Create A Basic House Cleaning Checklist

The best way to simplify cleaning is by writing them down and tackling one or a few at a time whenever possible. Incorporating cleaning into your daily routine can prevent the mess from getting out of hand. You can also create your own daily, weekly and monthly cleaning checklists to stay on track and keep your house clean and tidy.

1. Daily

A daily cleaning checklist can consist of small tasks including:

• Making the beds
• Cleaning down the kitchen countertops, dining table and sink
• Quick brush or vacuum of high-traffic areas
• Loading and unloading the dishwasher
• Emptying rubbish bins 

2. Weekly

For more time-consuming cleaning tasks, it helps to designate them to specific days into your weekly routine. For instance, a free evening or at the weekend. A weekly cleaning checklist can include:

• Dusting all surfaces
• Vacuuming carpets
• Mopping hard floors
• Clearing out the refrigerator and food pantry
• Cleaning mirrors and other glass surfaces
• Wiping down and disinfecting bathroom surfaces
• Changing bed linens

3. Monthly

Some cleaning tasks only need attention once a month. A monthly cleaning checklist includes:

• Cleaning the oven, refrigerator, dishwasher, washing machine and other appliances
• Descaling kettles and coffee machines
• Scrubbing the cooker hob
• Wiping down windows, blinds, walls, doors and skirting boards
• Vacuuming curtains and upholstery 
• Cleaning and disinfecting rubbish bins

4. Seasonal

Other cleaning tasks may only need to be carried out every 6 months to once a year. A seasonal cleaning checklist generally includes:

• Steaming carpets and upholstery
• Polishing hard floors
• Vacuuming and rotating mattresses
• Wiping down and organising kitchen cabinets

Sign Up For taskm8 And Simplify Your House Cleaning 

By sticking to a basic house cleaning checklist, you can maintain a clean and inviting house. Sometimes, it’s normal to not have your house pristine at all times, as the saying goes ‘a messy kitchen is a happy kitchen.’ Whether you don’t have time or you find that you’re drowning in housework, TaskM8 can make cleaning simpler. From everyday chores to deep cleaning jobs, taskm8 is an online platform which allows you to find a m8 who has the time and the skills to complete them for you, in return for a fee. Leaving you with more time for other important aspects of life. 

Learn more about how it works here. Otherwise, sign up today. With TaskM8, simplifying your house cleaning and maintaining a clean home is possible, even for those with a busy lifestyle!

As the evenings get shorter and the air starts to get chillier, these are all clear signs that winter is on its way. For homeowners, this change in seasons means it’s time to prepare your home for the challenges that winter can bring. Pre-winter home maintenance is not only about keeping your house in top condition but also ensuring your comfort and safety during the colder months. In this guide, we’ll take you through the essential tasks to get your home winter-ready.

Inspect Your Heating System

The most important home maintenance task is checking your heating system, after all, it is your best friend during the cold winter months! Before the temperature drops significantly, have a professional inspect your central heating. Clean or replace any filters, and ensure that all vents are clear of debris which may have gathered up during summer and autumn. This will not only keep your home warm but also improve your energy efficiency.

If you have a fireplace or stove, it’s essential to have your chimney inspected and cleaned by a professional. Creosote build-up can be a fire hazard, and a clean chimney ensures proper ventilation. It is also wise to stock up on fuel supplies such as smokeless coal or firewood, so you can enjoy cosy evenings by the fire when roads are hazardous.

Seal Draughts and Insulate Your Home

Draughts are one of the main sources of heat loss, leading to higher energy bills. Check for draughts around windows and doors and seal them properly. A simple way to do this is to run your hand along the edges of windows and doors and look out for any cold air passing through. Consider adding home insulation in your attic and walls if you haven’t already. Proper insulation can dramatically reduce heat loss and make your home more comfortable by keeping in the heat for longer.

Clear Out Your Gutters and Downspouts

Autumn leaves and debris can clog your gutters, preventing proper water drainage. This can lead to leaky roofs and water damage during the winter. Clearing out your gutters and downspouts will ensure water can flow freely away from your home. The easiest way to clear gutters is with a leaf blower or a pressure washer. Just be sure to set them at a lower setting!

Check Your Roof

If you’re clearing out your gutters, it’s also important to check the roof. Nesting season for birds in the UK is generally between March and August. This means birds can build their nests in chimneys, under eaves, or on other parts of the roof. If birds have decided to nest on your roof, they could cause damage. Additionally, check for any loose tiles or damaged shingles. If left unnoticed, it could cause roof leaks and water damage in the winter. Some people may think checking the roof is not as important, but if you ever happen to have a bird nest or a loose tile on your roof, you’ll be glad you had it fixed sooner rather than later!

Paint Your Home’s Exterior

Another important home maintenance task is painting your home’s exterior. Autumn is your last chance to do so before winter is here. A fresh coat of paint acts as a protective barrier against heavy rainfall and seals any old paint cracks, preventing water damage. Not only does it prevent water damage, but also increases the longevity of your home’s exterior and improves your curb appeal.

Join taskm8 For Free Today

Preparing your home for winter involves completing all of the above tasks, and these are just the basics. We haven’t mentioned power washing your driveway, storing away garden furniture, cutting the lawn and so on. If pre-winter home maintenance seems like a lot of work, you don’t have to complete all of these tasks alone. 

With TaskM8, you can find an m8 in your local area who is willing to use their skills and complete the tasks for you in exchange for payment. A m8 could be someone who is skilled in chimney sweeping, roofing, painting, gardening or power washing. Become a tasker, post your tasks, select a m8 and get your home ready for the long winter ahead in no time. It’s as simple as that! For more examples of what types of tasks our m8’s can help with, read our How It Works page. To join TaskM8 and become a tasker, create your free account with us today. 

Leaving our pets at home when we’re away can be a daunting time for both pet and owner, it is so important to find someone that you trust to take the best care of them. If you don’t want to leave your dog in the kennels or your cat at a cattery, then a pet sitter may be the best option for you. To put it simply, a pet sitter is someone who can look after your pets in their own home. This means you know your pets are in their safe, familiar environment and can keep up their regular routine. Read on to find out more about our top pet care tips for when you’re away from home.

1) Keep your pets at home

If you are concerned about dropping your pets off in an unfamiliar environment where they’ll have to mix with other animals unknown to them, then this could seem like an intimidating prospect for your animal, especially if they are nervous. By keeping your pet in their home environment this enables someone to take care of your pet in a place that they feel comfortable in and can stick to their normal routine. This routine can be especially important to nervous dogs or pets who can feel disrupted when their normal routine changes. Learn about autumn tips to prepare your garden. 

2) Find someone you trust with your pet

We recommend finding someone that you trust and feel entirely comfortable taking on the responsibility of looking after your pet while you are away from home. It may be useful to consider whether the individual has previous experience with the relevant animals – for example, if you have snakes you ideally want someone with a good knowledge of reptiles. Additionally, check any references or reviews the individual has, particularly on taskm8, where people can give ratings and leave reviews. This will keep you fully informed and reassured that you have found the ideal person to take care of your pet while you’re away.

3) Keep communication open

When entrusting someone to take care of your pet in your home, we recommend discussing and leaving clear instructions of your pet’s routine. This may include instructions around meal times and walking times, as this will help keep your pet feeling relaxed. Make sure all food and medication is available for the time you will be away and always leave contact details for your pet’s vets. It can be useful to keep an open line of communication with the pet sitter while you are away, therefore the sitter can send any updates or ask any questions. 

4) Finding the right pet sitter

It’s really important to find a pet sitter that you can not only trust and rely upon but also has a great relationship with your pet. Offering the chance for the pet sitter to meet you and your pet before you use their services can be a great way to check whether they are compatible with your pet! 

5) Away for the day

If you will only be away from home for a short while, like for work commitments, then it can be great for someone to check in on your animals during the day. Whether this be in the form of companionship or taking them out on a walk, it gives your pet a chance to get some attention and exercise while you’re away. This is also a great chance for the pet sitter to build a bond with your pet so they’re happy and comfortable when the pet sitter stays for longer periods. 

Create a taskm8 profile today

If you’re looking for pet care then consider making a profile on taskm8 and see who is available to take care of your pet when you’re not at home. Simply post what service you are looking for and decide upon a price you are happy to pay, then choose the best person for the job based on their rating and reviews. If you have any questions then get in touch with our friendly team who will be happy to help!

Do you have a caring nature or a genuine desire to help others? If the answer is yes, then you could make a great home helper. What is a home helper? We may hear you ask. Essentially, it is someone who helps with tasks around someone else’s home, hence the name ‘home helper.’ Working as a home helper is rewarding in many ways. It can help make a real difference to someone’s life and wellbeing. Even the simplest of tasks can make the biggest impact. As well as helping others with their tasks, there are 6 other benefits of working as a home helper.

Endless Opportunities

The word ‘home helper’ is quite broad and it covers many different areas within the home. From general cleaning, painting, decorating, repairing cupboard hinges and installing curtains or window blinds to garden maintenance, collecting household waste and car maintenance. Most of these tasks seem simple to most people, but for those who have busy lifestyles, dealing with disabilities, recovering from surgery/illness or living alone may be unable to perform complex tasks. 

With taskm8, there are endless opportunities to help others on our website. Not only can you help with home tasks but there is also the opportunity to be a companion for someone in need of your assistance. You can offer help with matters such as day trips and running errands or support a charity through event planning, fundraising and store assistance.

Choice Of Location

Opportunities within the local area can boost the local economy and strengthen the community. While there are many people out there who need assistance with their tasks, sometimes it can be challenging to find someone in the local area. 

At taskm8, we value people and communities. When you sign up as a m8, you will get free access to an ever-growing list of job opportunities in your local area or community. You can search for tasks on our website and you can filter them according to your location and the distance. This allows you to accept tasks based on their location and how far you are willing to travel to complete them. Some people may not have a car so taskm8 is also helpful for those who are looking for tasks closer to their local area.

Flexible Hours

Life can get busy and even hectic at times. As well as flexible distance, there are also flexible hours to choose from. When a task is posted by a tasker, they will add an expiry date, which is when they want the task completed. At taskm8, we understand time is valuable and people have busy lifestyles. This is why we created an online platform which allows people to complete tasks at times suited to their schedule and lifestyle. For instance, most people work on a full-time basis and/or have a family to look after with limited availability during the evenings and weekends. Once you accept a task, you will be able to make arrangements with the tasker which includes a mutually convenient completion date, this can help ensure you can perform the task at a time that suits you and the tasker.

Quick and Easy Payments

One of the main benefits of working as a home helper is you can earn extra income. After completing a task on taskm8, the tasker will give us approval to release the payment and you will be able to withdraw earnings from your secure E-Wallet to your bank account in as little as 1 to 2 working days. Bear in mind taskm8 is not a bidding platform. When a tasker posts a task, they will set a non-negotiable price. It is your choice whether you accept the task at the price shown or not. Furthermore, it is up to the tasker to increase or decrease the price if necessary. 

Meet New People

Working as a home helper can be seen as a new way of meeting new people and building your network. For instance, you are a dog walker looking for new clients in a specific area. If you choose to complete tasks within your local area or community, taskm8 is a fantastic way to bring local people together, create lasting relationships and provide future opportunities. Volunteering for a charity enables you to support a good cause while creating friendships with like-minded people. 

Gain Experience

Sometimes, it can be difficult to gain experience regardless of age. For example, you maybe  looking to change your career to become a dog walker. taskm8 is a great place to start gaining experience, improving your skills and taking on new clients in your local area. You can make the best use out of your set of skills without being qualified in a particular area as most tasks are general and do not require a qualification such as cleaning or assembling flat pack furniture. 

However, if you are looking to become a companion, there are certain requirements. You will need a Enhanced DBS Certificate, public liability insurance and business car insurance if your task requires transporting anyone from place to place. At taskm8, we are partnered with Surewise, a specialist insurance agency, to offer our registered care professionals with self employed carer insurance.

Become a Home Helper Today

With so many benefits, working as a home helper is an ideal opportunity for anyone. If you have a desire towards helping others, reliable, trustworthy and you are looking to earn extra money, you should consider signing up to taskm8. To learn more about how our platform works, please visit our website. To sign up today, create a new account for free. Alternatively, download our free app on the App Store or Google Play. For any enquiries, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

According to research done by the Campaign To End Loneliness in 2022, 49.63% of UK adults reported feeling lonely occasionally, sometimes, often or always. Furthermore, around 7.1% of the UK adults experience chronic loneliness, meaning they feel lonely often or always. Chronic loneliness can lead to mental health problems, increased stress levels and negatively affect your overall health. 

However, there are several ways to relieve feelings of loneliness including meeting new people, talking to a therapist, joining a sports team or taking up a new activity. In this article, we discuss 4 activities to help combat loneliness and boost your mood.

1) Gardening

Often done alone and in peace, gardening can help people feel a part of something bigger as well as helping them to feel more connected to nature. But gardening doesn’t have to be done on your own, gardening with others can reduce loneliness by bringing people’s interest in gardening together and creating a group or community. Gardening can help people to redirect their thinking, engage their mind in something else and express their creativity. Additionally, spending time outdoors is refreshing and uplifting, leading to a better overall mood. 

2) Dog Walking 

If you’re a dog lover, you may want to consider getting a pet dog. Many people live alone, therefore increasing the likelihood of loneliness. A dog can provide companionship, increase your social interaction, boost your mood and give you a sense of purpose and responsibility. Dog walking is a gentle form of activity and it is a great way to meet new people in your area while increasing your fitness. If you don’t have the space for a dog in your home, becoming a dog walker or offering to walk someone else’s dog for them are other ways of taking up this multipurpose activity. 

3) Volunteering 

Doing small acts of kindness or getting involved in charity work can make a significant difference to your metal health. There are many ways to support a charity including store assistance, fundraising, event planning and so on. Volunteering can bring you a new sense of purpose, develop friendships with like-minded people, make a positive impact on other people’s lives, boost your self-esteem and sense of belonging, all of these can help relieve feelings of loneliness and isolation.

4) Become A Companion

If you want to help others who suffer from loneliness or isolation, becoming a companion is very rewarding as it can increase your people skills and gives you a sense of purpose. If you have a caring nature towards others and a genuine desire to help other people, then you will enjoy being a companion for someone in need. Being a companion involves a variety of different activities, depending on the individual’s needs. Examples of activities include providing company to an individual, taking walks with them, assisting with general housework, preparing meals, collecting grocery shopping, running errands and assisting on trips. 

Join Taskm8 Today

If you are a specialist or enjoy any of the above activities, put your skills to good use and join Taskm8. Our online platform is a new great way to meet new people in your local community, we want to help combat loneliness and boost your mood. Whether you are gifted with gardening or want to support a good cause, we can provide you with a great opportunity to earn extra income upon completion of a task. The types of tasks can vary from general housework and painting to dog sitting/walking and garden maintenance.

To join Taskm8, register as a m8 today and get full access to an endless list of tasks that people in your area need help with. Alternatively, download our app on the App Store or Google Play. For more information, read our FAQs page or please get in contact with us.

When you need help with a task which you may be unskilled in or unqualified for, the chances are, you will look for someone who is. Examples of such skilled individuals may include electricians,  carpenters and so on. But what if you couldn’t find a tradesman or tradeswoman to complete your specific task? Or perhaps, you want the task to be completed sooner rather than later. For instance, you want to repaint a spare bedroom before your extended family comes to stay. You call a few painting companies and they are booked out for the foreseeable future. So now, what do you do? 

Instead of having to make the time to paint it yourself or leaving it unfinished until a later date, you might want to consider hiring a home task helper from taskm8. Why hire a home task helper you may ask? Here are 5 benefits of hiring a home task helper.

1) Versatile

Whether you are looking to have a spare bedroom painted or have your whole garden weeding, a home task helper is quite versatile, covering a broad range of challenging tasks. From general home tasks including cleaning, assembling flat pack furniture and dog walking to companionship needs including meal preparation, grocery shopping and charity support, which includes door-to-door fundraising, bucket collections, event planning and shop assistance. These are only a few examples of what taskm8 can help with.

2) Reliable

When hiring someone for a task, you will want them to be reliable and complete the task thoroughly and effectively. Hiring someone who seems untrustworthy or sketchy can mean your task could be carried out as a ‘quick fix’ and this can lead to problems further down the line. With taskm8, people offering their skills are known as mates or m8’s. All m8’s must have the necessary skills and physical ability to complete the task in an acceptable manner. When posting a task, taskers can request a DNS registered m8 if necessary. Once you select a m8, arrangements can be made and a task contract is created between you and your specialist m8. 

3) Convenient 

When hiring a tradesman or tradeswoman, you usually have to work around the dates and times when they are available to call to your home, this is not convenient for those with a busy lifestyle. As a result, home projects are often left on the back burner or even forgotten. With taskm8, we understand life can be busy and hectic at times, and outsourced tasks should be completed at a time that is convenient to you. Simply, post your task and select an expiry date of your choice for your selected m8 to complete the task by. Outsourcing your home tasks has never been so easy!

4) Easy-To-Use

Speaking of making things easier, our online platform is also easy to use from the comfort of your home. When posting a task, you will need to give it a title, a brief description on what needs to be completed, add the location, attach a photograph of the task and suggest an expiry date. Next, you will choose a reasonable price that you are willing to pay for the completion of the task, then the task is ready to post. 

You will be able to review a list of m8’s who are interested in completing your task. You can view their profiles, location and rating as well as reviews and comments from previous users to help you choose the right m8. Once you have selected a m8, contact details will be exchanged to arrange further arrangements. We designed our online platform to make it simple for outsourcing tasks, you will also have access to a clear and easy-to-navigate dashboard, here you will be able to review your posted tasks as well as the status of the task’s completion. For posting and reviewing tasks on the go, the taskm8 mobile app is available through the App Store or Google Play.  

5) Cost-Effective

Once the task is posted, the task fee is transferred from the tasker’s bank account to a secure e-wallet. Funds are held in the tasker’s e-wallet until their m8 has completed the task and the tasker has given us approval to release the payment. 

It’s important to note, taskm8 is not a bidding platform. The task must be completed at the posted amount and this price is non-negotiable. This ensures that the task is completed within the tasker’s budget. It is up to the m8 whether they accept the offer or not, and it is up to the tasker to increase the price if necessary. Additional costs or expenses agreed outside of the task contract, should be treated as a separate transaction and settled independently. 

Additionally, the price of hiring a tradesman or tradeswoman can be expensive. Instead, taskm8 is a budget-friendly and cost-effective option as the price is agreed by both the tasker and the m8. For more information on our task fees, please read our service fees page.

Create A Free Account On taskm8

As you can see, hiring a home task helper has many fantastic benefits. Whether you need your car valeted or you simply need help with lifting and carrying heavy items, we are here to make life easier for you. Perhaps, you are thinking of a specific challenging task right now. Why not post it on taskm8 today? You’ll have it ticked off your to-do list in no time!

Our platform covers a wide range of tasks around the home as well as companionship and charity support. If you are intrigued about how taskm8 works, you can visit our FAQ page for more information on how to search for tasks or how to register for tasks. You can register with us today by creating a free account, or by downloading our app on the App Store or Google Play. For any enquiries, please get in contact with us by calling us on 01785 594 661 or emailing us at support@taskm8.com.

After some planning and hard work behind the scenes, we are delighted to welcome you to the taskm8 blog. If you have not heard of taskm8 yet, we are a new online platform designed to connect people who need help with tasks with those in their community who have the time and skills to complete those tasks. In our first blog article, we will discuss more about taskm8 including our story, how taskm8 works and what kind of tasks you can get help with. 

Our Story

taskm8 was founded by Darroll and Craig. After years of working in senior and director roles, they realised many people in local communities were struggling with a wide range of difficult tasks. Darroll has personally seen how difficult it is to get cost-effective help in the local area. Craig is dedicated to supporting those within our communities who are marginalised or disadvantaged. 

They wanted to bring together the community and find a way to provide help and support to others with similar difficulties, and the idea of taskm8 was born. We value community and people, our mission is to bring together people in need of help with skilled local people to simply make life easier. 

How Does taskm8 Work?

You can register for free as either a tasker or a m8, or both if you wish. As a tasker, you will post a brief description of the task you want to be completed, including the location and expiry date. Next, you will be asked to set a fixed price that you are willing to pay for the completion of the task. Finally, you can post your task and wait to hear from someone who selects your task. You will be able to review the profiles of anyone who has selected your task including their ratings and reviews to help you choose the best m8 for the task at hand.

On the other hand, if you register as a m8 (pronounced like mate), you will create a m8 profile and you will be able to view a list of posted tasks. All you need to do is select a posted task that meets your criteria and agree to complete the task at the posted price or make an offer to complete it. If the tasker selects you to carry out the task then their contact details will be given to you for further arrangements. Once you complete the task at a convenient time, you will receive the agreed payment.

What Tasks Do We Help With?

With taskm8, no job is too big. Whether you need a helping hand with a large project or small everyday tasks, you can find quick, reliable help as a tasker and earn money as a m8 with a wide range of tasks including, but not limited to:

• Around the home – cleaning, gardening, painting, decorating, moving and pet sitting
• Companionship – cooking, grocery shopping, running errands and assisting with day trips
• Charity support – fundraising, event planning and store assistance

Register With Us Today

Get help with a challenging task or use your skills to earn money by joining taskm8 today. You can register with us by creating a free account on our website, or by downloading our app on the App Store or Google Play. For more information, please get in contact with us by calling us on 01785 594 661 or emailing us at support@taskm8.com. We look forward to having you as part of the taskm8 community. Make sure to follow our Facebook page for the most recent news and keep updated with our blog to find the latest articles.