Data: How COVID-19 is affecting local services
Thumbtack•Last updated May 20, 2020
Last updated May 20, 2020
Table of Contents
Thumbtack brings together customers and the local service providers they need to get things done. But in light of the COVID-19 outbreak, the right thing to do is stay apart.We’re sharing data from March 1 through May 15 on how this shift has affected the local businesses we serve. These are individuals who often do work in people’s homes — like electricians, house cleaners and painters, and individuals who bring others together for events like caterers, musicians and photographers.
New projects started
The industries recovering
As people spend more time at home during this crisis, categories within Home Maintenance and Home Systems have grown over the last month as residences not used to the strain of 24/7 occupants need updates and repairs. With stay at home orders beginning to lift in several states, Pets, Business Services and Health and Wellness are also slowly starting to come back to pre-COVID-19 levels.
Investments in the home
While home, people are starting to make upgrades to their spaces. Our data shows an uptick in new projects that will take place over the coming weeks and months including:
- Junk removal +85%
- Bathroom remodel +36%
- Handyman +31%
- Interior painting +20%
- General contracting +18%
Outdoor services continue to grow
Categories seeing the most significant increases are those related to outdoor services. While some of the increase is due to seasonality as the weather warms, these are also projects that can be done while adhering to social distancing.
- Concrete installation: +188 percent
- Outdoor landscaping and design: +182 percent
- Exterior painting: +181 percent
- Tree trimming and removal: +170 percent
- Lawn mowing and trimming: +165 percent
- Fence and gate installation: +157 percent
Event services continue to suffer
Weddings, graduations and other gatherings have largely been cancelled for the spring and early summer to adhere to CDC recommendations. That’s good news for social distancing and giving healthcare workers a chance to stay ahead, but it’s devastating news for event-focused businesses whose purpose is to bring people together. The events industry has seen a massive decline, and is still down 50 percent nationally compared to March 1.
- DJs: -75 percent
- Event catering: -64 percent
- Event photography: -65 percent
How Thumbtack can help
Our teams are working to help local businesses through this uncertain time. For pros using Thumbtack, we are building features that support remote work. These range from things like enabling video consults for traditionally onsite jobs like a sink replacement or interior design project as well as packages for ongoing services like personal training or math tutoring. We are also sharing research on how to best communicate with customers and best practices on how to perform contact-free work.
How to support businesses in your neighborhood.
Now, more than ever, we need to support one another and mobilize to help small businesses manage this period of uncertainty. Here’s how you can help your neighborhood local service businesses:
- Hire local service providers who offer remote consultations, do digital work or can work at a distance where local guidance allows (like landscaping or exterior painting).
- Ask pros who do recurring work (like tutoring or fitness instruction) if they can offer video sessions.
- Consider tipping or paying now for work that you’ve postponed.
About the Data
The data shows the percentage change in the number of customer projects submitted on Thumbtack, indexed to March 1st, 2020. The index comparison is calculated by comparing 7-day moving averages to account for day-of-week fluctuations.
Each day of the week is calculated by taking the average of the day assessed and the preceding 6 days. Each day’s average is then compared to the 7-day moving average of March 1st, the baseline being indexed against.
Only the top 30 Core Based Statistical Areas (CBSAs) are listed above.
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