Whenever our home demands some repair, cleaning, renovation, or redecoration, our first instinct is to always search for home service applications that could provide services to get these things done easily. Blame it on the habit of depending on applications, as they have always supported humanity.
On-demand services are a relatively old concept, but they’ve blown up in recent years. You can get it done without leaving the comfort of your home with the help of handyman applications like Thumbtack. From booking a salon to getting a house thoroughly cleaned, handyman apps are the new-gen solution for such issues.
The increasing usage of home services websites and apps is the reason behind the rapid rise in demand for home services. According to Mordor Intelligence, The US home service market size is estimated at USD 0.87 trillion in 2025 and is expected to reach USD 1.42 trillion by 2030, at a CAGR of 10.23% during the forecast period (2025-2030). By looking at these stats, various businesses and start-ups want to develop apps like Thumbtack that can boost business visibility in the increasing environment.
So, if you are a business planning to invest in Thumbtack clone app development, then keep scrolling till the end. This informative blog will provide you will every valuable aspect you need to familiarise yourself with before stepping into this competitive handyman app development industry.
How Does the Thumbtack App Work?
These Thumbtack-like apps function as a mediator platform that connects users with professional home management service providers. It helps users get easy assistance for home-related services and employment for these professionals. Here’s the breakdown of how it works:
Allow Service Request
Users can hire local service providers by entering their service requirements in the app or on the website, specifying details such as the type of job (e.g., plumbing, pet care), location, and any specific needs.
Seamless Provider Matching
Based on the user’s input, Thumbtack generates a list of potential home service providers who match the specified criteria. Users can browse through these profiles, which include information about each provider’s experience, ratings, and reviews from previous clients, and hire a pro for their home project based on their liking.
Quotes and Estimates
Interested professional service providers for home maintenance can send quotes or estimates for the requested job. Users receive multiple quotes, allowing them to compare prices and services offered by different providers.
Communication
Users can communicate directly with expert service providers through the Thumbtack Handyman App to ask questions, clarify details, or negotiate terms before making a decision.
Hiring a Provider
Once users select a service provider, they agree on items such as scheduling and payment. The hiring process transitions from the Thumbtack app to the provider’s customer relationship management system for further interaction.
Payment Process
Users do not incur charges for finding service providers; they only pay once they accept a quote and the job is completed. Payments are made directly to the service provider.
Growth Potential in the Home Services Industry
- Home cleaning services are a $500 billion-a-year industry in the US. It’s extremely competitive, and to acquire customers, marketers invest significantly in search and digital advertising.
- The home service app market is expected to witness a rapid rise in size, with the projections stating a substantial rise in revenue in the coming years.
- The India online on-demand home services market generated a revenue of USD 217.1 million in 2022 and is expected to reach USD 1,092.5 million by 2030.
- On-demand service boom: The aspect of on-demand home services is expected to experience incredible growth, adding to the convenience factor for consumers.
- Key growth drivers: Factors like increasing disposable income, rising consumer expectations for convenience, and technological advancements are driving factors for market growth.
Handyman Services offered by Thumbtack
The below table showcases the major services offered by the Thumbtack Marketplace App:
| Basis | Description |
| Home Repair | Handymen, Electricians, Plumbers, and Appliance repair. |
| Home Renovation | Kitchen and Bathroom Remodeling. |
| Home Painting | Interior and Exterior House painting |
| Home Flooring | Installation and Replacement |
| Pets | Dog Walking, Pet Care, and other pet services. |
| Design and Web | Software engineering, and animation |
| Personal | Fitness Experts, Live coaches, etc |
| Crafts | Custom jewelry artists, Songwriters |
| Lessons | Yoga Instructors, Math Tutors, and other experts |
| Writing | Translation, editors, and Content copywriters |
| Event | Makeup Artists, Creators, and Entertainment services. |
| Weddings | Wedding planners and Vendor |
| Others | Financial Consultant, Estate Planning, Legal and Lawyers, etc. |
Analyze the Thumbtack Business Model
Thumbtack is a marketplace for on-demand services that links clients with nearby experts for events, wellness, home repairs, and more. It serves as a platform for generating leads, and assisting companies in locating possible customers.
| Monetization Options | |
| Advertising | Thumbtack does not generate revenue through advertising. |
| Subscription | They give users access to a freemium bundle of basic features or lead limits so they may upgrade to more advanced options. |
| Commission | The Thumbtack handyman app has a dual revenue model that helps it generate profits: a pay-per-lead model, where a fixed cost is charged for a lead associated with a Tasker, and a percentage (20% for each lead) from the payment for finishing a project. |
| Thumbtack Partner Network | Thumbtack has partnered with Nextdoor, Inc., earning affiliate commissions from purchases. This collaboration boosts its visibility, making Thumbtack the go-to platform for users seeking quick help, while saving valuable time. |
- Revenue Model: Pay-Per-Lead Model:
- Service providers pay for leads (not guaranteed jobs).
- The cost per lead varies based on competition and service demand.
- Subscription Model (Thumbtack Pro+): Premium professionals pay a monthly subscription fee for increased visibility.
- Sponsored Listings: App Development Businesses can pay for priority placement in search results.
Fundamental Steps To Develop Thumbtack Alternatives
To develop an alternative app like Thumbtack, follow these key steps:
Step 1. Market Research and Idea Validation
The first step in the Thumbtack-like handyman app development is market research. To comprehend the competitive landscape, thoroughly investigate current industry trends and rival modern home management platforms. Examine Thumbtack and its substitutes, noting their salient features and distinctive selling factors. This can assist you in identifying market gaps that your app can monitor and exploring new technologies that could improve your app (e.g., chatbots for smooth conversation or AI for more intelligent matching between users and service providers). Additionally, keep abreast of developments in AI-driven user experience optimization, payment integrations, and geolocation services.
Validate Your Business Idea
Before proceeding further into Thumbtack substitute development, validate your business idea by consulting with experts. Address questions such as:
- What problem will your app solve?
- Who will benefit from it?
- What specific needs are currently unmet in the market?
- Who are your competitors, and what can you learn from them?
Step 2. Define Core Features
Hire the best mobile app development company USA to develop an app rich with the latest features and functionalities.
1. User Panel Features
- User-friendly Interface: A home management app must include simple navigation and an intuitive design to ensure a seamless user experience.
- Advanced Search & Filtering: The app must incorporate robust search and filtering options to allow users to locate home maintenance providers easily based on budget, location, and specific needs. It saves both time and effort. Moreover, AI-enhanced search improves search result accuracy.
- Comprehensive Service Listings: a large selection of clearly defined service options with detailed pricing and description information.
- Review and Rating System: Based on the caliber of services rendered, ratings and comments from other users assist in making well-informed selections.
2. Service Provider Panel Features
- Detailed Profiles: Professionals for handyman services must be able to construct comprehensive profiles that highlight their qualifications, experience, portfolio, references, and price.
- Request Management: You want to set up an appropriate procedure for sending admin requests to their service providers. This feature makes it simple for them to receive requests in real-time.
- Real-time Chat integration: For home service apps like Thumbtack, real-time communication is an essential feature. It enables real-time communication between service providers and their users.
- Hassle-free Payment Integration: This feature simplifies the process of sending and receiving payments. Offer a secure and convenient platform for in-app transactions.
3. Admin Panel Features
- User Verification: By confirming users, it makes sure that clients and service providers have faith in one another, which increases credibility and confidence.
- Analytics: This tool allows you to view data about clients and service providers. Like an app similar to Thumbtack, you can also check all the details that can help you improve your business.
- Secured Transactions: To safeguard user information and guarantee safe in-app payment processing, online security layers are being implemented. Putting in place online security layers to safeguard user information and guarantee safe in-app purchases
- Simplified Communication: Encouraging users and professional service providers to communicate directly so that project discussions are transparent and free from middlemen.
- Home Profile: A digital record that includes the address, features, and systems of your house as well as the option to create personal home objectives. After creation, it offers AI-powered recommendations, including those depending on the weather and seasons.
Step 3. Choose the Right Tech Stack
For a scalable, cross-platform app, use React Native or Flutter. On the back end, choose technologies like Node.js, Ruby on Rails, or Django to support robust functionalities and handle large traffic. Hire Indian app developers to incorporate the right tech stack into your Thumbtack alternative app.
Step 4. Create UI/UX Design
User interface and experience are crucial for engagement, so make sure to hire the best UI and UX designers for the job. To make navigation simple, keep it responsive, easy to use, and uncomplicated. Give top priority to simple, useful designs that enhance user engagement and lessen administrative strain during the reservation process. Make sure the home remodeling app works and looks great across a range of screens and devices by designing with mobile users in mind. To avoid user annoyance, make sure the software loads quickly. Optimize your coding and use picture compression. To give visual feedback and improve the responsiveness and engagement of the app, incorporate interactive features such as subtle animations and transitions.
Step 5. Integrate Secure Payment Systems
Tell your home improvement app developer to implement popular and secure payment gateways like Stripe or PayPal to process transactions smoothly. To cater to a wider audience, offer multiple payment options like credit/debit cards, e-wallets, and in-app purchases. By integrating secure and versatile payment gateways into your Thumbtack clone app, you will not only ensure smooth transactions but also build trust with your users, offering them a safe and convenient payment experience.
Steps to Integrate Payment Gateways:
- Create an account using the payment gateway of your choice: Create an account with a gateway such as PayPal, Stripe, or Razorpay, then incorporate it into your application.
- API Integration: To incorporate payment processing straight into your Thumbtack homecare app alternative, use the API that the payment gateway offers. For simple integration, the majority of gateways include SDKs and thorough documentation.
- Assure Encryption: To protect sensitive user data, make sure that every transaction is encrypted from beginning to end.
- Test Transactions: Make sure that the payment system functions properly and that transactions are handled securely by carrying out extensive testing before going live.
- Compliance: Be sure you abide by all applicable security and privacy standards as well as local laws such as GDPR and PCI DSS.
Step 6. App Testing and Optimization
Conduct comprehensive testing across different devices and platforms, including device & platform testing, performance optimization, User experience (UX) testing, security testing, and more to ensure the app runs smoothly. Optimize speed and functionality to provide a seamless experience under various network conditions.
Tools for Testing:
- Appium (cross-platform testing)
- Firebase Test Lab (real-device testing)
- Selenium (automated UI testing)
- Google Lighthouse (performance testing)
Step 7. App Launch and Updates
Develop a launch plan with a solid marketing strategy that targets your core audience. After launch, collect user feedback, monitor performance, and continuously improve the app with regular updates.
Marketing Strategies Post-Launch:
- Social Media Ads (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn)
- Google Ads for targeted search traffic
- Influencer & Affiliate Marketing
By following these steps, you’ll be able to create, launch, and scale your Thumbtack-like app effectively, ensuring long-term success in the competitive home service market.
How much does the development of Thumbtack cost?
The cost of app development in USA for home services app like Thumbtack is somewhere between $10,000 and $25,000. You can save money by using a simple home service app that is only accessible on one platform, has fewer features, and is comparable to Thumbtack. However, if you want to include advanced features with cross-platform compatibility, the cost may be more than $25,000.
Therefore, the cost of creating home service software that is comparable to Thumbtack depends on how complex your project requirements are. Let’s look at the following table of expenses for developing Thumbtack app substitutes according to complexity. The following is a breakdown of costs for creating an app that resembles a thumbtack:
| Service | Cost |
| Lead Cost | $15 to $60 per lead (varies by service type and location) |
| Subscription (Thumbtack Pro+) | $49 per month (for businesses seeking higher visibility) |
| Commission on Completed Jobs | Thumbtack takes a 20% commission on each job completed |
| Sponsored Listings | Pricing varies, based on competitive bidding for top spots in search results. |
| Payment Processing Fees | Thumbtack does not process payments, so this cost is generally managed by the service provider. |
Cost of thumbtack-like app development based on complexity
| App Complexity | Costs |
| Simple Thumbtack-like App | $10000 – $15000 |
| Medium Thumbtack-like App | $15000 – $20000 |
| Complex Thumbtack-like App | $25000+ |
Streamline Your Development Journey with Our Expertise
Have you also wished to have another set of hours added to your day to complete your task at hand? Or to complete tasks with triple speed? With on-demand handyman services like Thumbtack alternatives, it’s easier than ever to find quick help. These home service platforms can fulfill your wish of making it easier, faster, and safer to get things done. So you can reclaim your time—whether it’s for family, relaxation, or pursuing what you love.
With our expertise, we simplify it for you! We are experts at providing the latest technologies, tools, solutions, and platforms (whichever one you would choose for the development of your next handyman app like Thumbtack). So, whatever help you need for your handyman website development or app development, consider taking out expert help!
If you are considering the development of your economy marketplace for taskers, reach out to us without hesitation. We have extensive experience in researching and developing scalable handyman apps for smartphones and other digital devices.
The details provided above showcase the best Thumbtack alternatives trending on the market today. Whether you’re looking for reliable home services, exploring business growth opportunities, or searching for a hyperlocal marketplace, these lead-generation platforms offer tailored solutions to meet various needs. With unique features across each option, users can effortlessly find the right professionals or services, making the process more convenient and efficient.
