In today’s review, let’s talk about Dolly Helper, a potential side hustle for those looking to earn some extra cash. You might have heard about Dolly, a platform that provides moving and delivery services. And, what makes it interesting is its claim that you can make good money by being a helper on their site.  I have mentioned it in a few posts of mine, such as Best Gig Apps in 2023 and Quick Ways to Make Money with your Car, but I never reviewed it in detail.

First off, Dolly is not just any website. It’s more of a platform where customers can request moving and delivery services. To make money on Dolly, you work as a helper, doing the heavy lifting and transportation. The big question, however, is whether it’s a worthwhile gig.

To get a clear picture, it’s crucial to understand how Dolly operates and the kind of effort and time you need to invest as a helper. As in all of my reviews, I’m to the point and only recommend what I feel is worth your time.  Hopefully, by the time you read this, you will have a clearer idea if Dolly Helper is the right side hustle for you. It’s all about making an informed choice, and that’s exactly what I aim to help you with.

So, with that being said, let’s dive into the world of Dolly and see if it’s worth your time.

Joining and Qualifying

If you’re interested in joining Dolly as a helper or hand, there are a few things you need to know. To start with, you must be living in the United States and be at least 18 years old.

If you’re looking to become a helper, having the right vehicle is crucial. You will need a qualified vehicle, a valid driver’s license, and your auto insurance should be up-to-date and in your name. On the other hand, if you’re looking to work as a hand, the requirements are a bit simpler. All you need is a valid, unexpired U.S. government-issued ID.

Regardless of whether you want to be a helper or a hand, a verified PayPal account is a must for receiving your earnings.

However, Dolly isn’t available everywhere. It’s only in certain cities, and you’ll find out if your city is included when you apply.  They only work in 45 cities a the time of this publishing, so you will want to make sure they are active near you.  I included the graphic below for a quick glance.

The application process involves a few more steps.

One important step is passing a background check, which comes with a fee. So, you should be ready to cover this cost if you’re serious about working with Dolly. After clearing the background check, you will then receive further instructions on what to do next.

It’s worth noting that the registration process for Dolly is a bit lengthier compared to other gig economy platforms. So, patience is key here. You won’t start earning right away after applying, but once you’re all set up, you can begin your journey with Dolly.

Making Money on Dolly as a “Helper”

Let’s explore the first way to make money with Dolly – becoming a helper.

To consider this, you need a suitable vehicle and must be able to lift items weighing over 75 pounds. The vehicles that fit the bill include trucks, cargo vans, box trucks, or SUVs with trailers.  Passenger vans, minivans, and cars are not permitted.  If you don’t have one of these, you will need to look at the other earning option with Dolly, which I’ll get to a bit later.

Once you’re on board as a helper, your next step is to install the Helper app. This app is your gateway to see all the available job orders, or “Dollys,” in your area. Dolly’s main role is to match independent contractors like you with local individuals and businesses needing help to move or lift heavy items.

As a helper, your job involves transporting and lifting these items to the locations specified by customers. Jobs, for example, can include full moves, labor only or even hauling away junk.  Payment is hourly, and while it varies based on factors like location and job availability, you can generally expect around $50 per hour.  You will know your full tot

However, it’s important to remember that Dolly doesn’t cover your gas expenses. This means you should be strategic about the Dollys you accept, especially if they require long-distance travel. In my experience, jobs involving lengthy commutes might not be as profitable because of the fuel costs.

Another great aspect of working with Dolly is the flexibility it offers. You set your own schedule, and there’s no binding contract or minimum hours you need to work. This flexibility makes Dolly an appealing option for those looking for a versatile way to earn extra income.  It’s a lot like the many flexible gigs on the market right now such as Uber and Doordash.

Making Money on Dolly as a “Hand”

Next, let’s talk about the second option for earning with Dolly, which is perfect if you don’t have a vehicle that qualifies for the helper role. This is where the role of a Dolly Hand comes into play.  As a Hand, your main task is to assist with lifting, but you won’t need to worry about driving or transporting items.

Finding work as a Hand is similar to the process for helpers. You simply use the Dolly app to find job orders, known as “Dollys,” that require a Hand instead of a Helper. If you’re able to lift over 75 pounds, this role is suitable for you.

The primary responsibility of a Hand is to help customers with lifting, mainly during moving tasks. Although it’s a role with fewer responsibilities compared to a helper, the pay reflects this. As a Hand, you can expect to earn about $35~ per hour on average. Just like with the helper role, your earnings can vary based on factors like your location, the availability of jobs, and how productive you are.

One of the big advantages of working as a Hand is that you don’t have to think about fuel costs since you’re not driving. What’s important in this role is your readiness to do the required tasks and your commitment to being punctual. If you’re up for the physical work and looking for a way to earn without the added responsibility of a vehicle, then being a Dolly Hand could be a great fit for you.

How Much Can I Make?

When you’re thinking about how much you can make with Dolly, whether as a helper or a hand, there are a few things to consider. The key to your earnings lies in how actively you take on jobs. However, there’s another important factor: the number of helpers and hands in your area.

If your area is crowded with Dolly helpers and hands, you might find fewer opportunities to earn. Remember, Dolly operates on a first-come-first-serve basis. This means you’re not the only one eyeing those job offers. The trick is to respond to these opportunities swiftly to stay ahead in the game and boost your earnings.

When it comes to the pay rate, Dolly offers competitive compensation. But, if you’re considering the helper role, don’t forget to factor in your gas expenses. It’s essential to balance these costs against your potential earnings to ensure that this opportunity is profitable for you.

Overall, I’d say Dolly provides a fairly good earning potential. The key to success here is being smart about the Dollys you choose. With the right strategy, you can make the most out of this platform.   Remember that you can see what you can make before you even accept the job.

Since there are so many factors involved, it’s hard to give an estimate, but from what I read, you can make about $200, for instance, for a full apartment move, but moving something such as a TV may only pay $60.  Expect to make $100 to $200 in a day if you’re able to find a good job.

Getting Paid

Getting paid on Dolly is pretty straightforward, which is great. Your earnings are calculated on an hourly basis and are shown in your Dolly account. The best part is that Dolly makes payments twice a week directly through PayPal.

Here’s how it works…

If you complete your job on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday, for example, you will receive your payment on Friday. For jobs completed from Thursday to Sunday, the payout is on the following Tuesday.

There’s no minimum amount required to get paid, so whatever you earn in that period goes straight to your PayPal account.

I find Dolly’s payment system really convenient and user-friendly. Using PayPal is a smart choice since it’s one of the easiest and most widely used payment methods today. For those of you who prefer platforms with hassle-free payment options, Dolly is definitely a good choice.

What People Say About Dolly

One user on Reddit, who worked for about a year, highlighted the variety of tasks available on the app, which are paid based on difficulty and size. They noted the option to either haul items with a personal vehicle or work as a helper. However, the user faced issues with customers adding tasks and a particular incident where a customer’s instructions led to damage, for which Dolly offered no support. This user also mentioned the less-than-helpful attitude of Dolly’s support team and suggested looking into alternatives like Lugg.

Another user on that same Reddit thread, with two years on the platform using a cargo van, pointed out Dolly’s strategy to undercut moving prices, leading to low and infrequent job offers. They mentioned the need to be quick to secure jobs and shared experiences of both easy and overwhelmingly heavy moves. This user also experienced issues with helpers not showing up or being unprofessional and found Dolly’s customer service hard to reach and unhelpful regarding safety concerns.

One reviewer compared Dolly with Lugg, stating that while Dolly offers more choices in job acceptance, it is still difficult to secure jobs. They often found themselves denied job opportunities and suggested that owning a personal van or truck might be more advantageous when working with these platforms.

Final Thoughts

Like any opportunity, Dolly comes with its own set of advantages and challenges.

On the positive side, Dolly Helper is great because it offers payment through PayPal, which is convenient and widely accepted. Another plus is that there’s no minimum amount you need to earn before getting paid. The payments are also processed automatically, which adds to the convenience.

However, there are a few downsides to consider. The registration process for Dolly Helper is quite lengthy. Additionally, there’s a fee for the background check, which is a necessary step in the application process.

From my perspective, if you’re ready and willing to put in the effort required for a helper or hand, Dolly Helper could be a fantastic way to make some good money, again, depending on where you live.. It’s important to be strategic about which jobs you accept, especially to ensure that your earnings outweigh any potential costs, like gas for helpers.  Don’t expect much, however, as jobs go fast and are quick to be snatched up. If you’re serious about it, you may have to watch your phone more than you’d like.

If you’re not into lifting heavy items or prefer to earn extra cash without leaving home, there are other options, of course.  You might want to explore top survey and GPT (Get-Paid-To) sites available in your country. These sites offer a decent earning potential and the comfort of working from home. Plus, they’re accessible regardless of your location.  They don’t pay much, but you could earn $10~ per day with ease.  Something to consider.

That’s going to do it for now.

As always, if you want to comment on your experience, feel free to do so below.