Mobile applications have changed the way people lead their lives. From getting your groceries and clothes delivered to your doorstep to finding the right professional to get a job done, a smartphone is capable of doing it all, thanks to the different applications available in the market.
These applications are categorised into different domains. For instance, there are e-commerce apps for shopping, utility apps for getting things done, entertainment apps, etc. One such app category is handyman applications.
These apps offer direct access to handyman services and professionals for hire.
If we talk about category leaders in handyman apps, Thumbtack emerges to be a popular name. The application is a perfect example of a balanced application.
If you plan to enter the handyman app market, the Thumbtack application can be a great example to follow
But you cannot build a similar app without identifying what it would cost to do so.
In this post, let us do a quick breakdown and analysis of how much it would cost to develop an app like Thumbtack. Without further ado, let’s get started!
What is the Thumbtack App? Features & More
Before breaking down the cost, let us quickly learn more about the Thumbtack app.
Thumbtack is a handyman application that allows you to search, find, and hire a local service professional directly from the app.
The application is free to use, which means an individual can download the app on the phone, search for the servicemen they want to find, and accordingly choose from the selection of currently available professionals.
You can find experienced professionals who specialize in different service categories, ranging from wellness, pet business, home improvement, and more.
The application also offers a variety of handyman resources, such as cost breakdowns, how-to guides, to simplify a user’s search for the right handyman.
The application lists the available servicemen and allows users to browse through them and decide based on price, availability, and user reviews.
| App | Availability | Downloads | Rating |
| Thumbtack | iOS & Android | 5M + | 4.9/5 |
What makes Thumbtack one of the best handyman apps available in the market is the set of features that it has to offer.
| User Features | Professional Features |
| Search and Discovery | Lead Generation |
| Cost Estimates | Targeting Preferences |
| Professional Profiles | In-App Messaging |
| Direct Messaging | Management Tools |
| Booking and Payment | Performance Tracking |
| Home Profile and Guides | Booking Management |
| Actionable Plans | Pricing Control |
All of these features are part of the entire Thumbtack experience that the app offers.
These features, along with the right execution, make the application a top name in the industry.
Average Cost to Develop an App Like Thumbtack – Cost Breakdown
Learning about what the app does and the features that it offers, you might have a solid idea of why an app like Thumbtack is costly to build. Generally, the average cost to develop an app like Thumbtack ranges from $20,000 to $250,000 and more.
The range seems quite wide, as there are different stages, various modules that require resources, and there are a variety of options available in the market.
There are 8 stages in building an app like Thumbtack that cost you money. These include –
► Research and Planning
Identifying the potential in the market and planning the development process by finding the right development partners.
This is the step where all your market-based questions are answered.
► UI/UX Design
Based on your understanding of the market, this step involves building the UI/UX of the application.
The user experience and interface of the application play a crucial role in the overall app performance and hence should not be compromised.
► Frontend Development
Finalizing the design and experience, it is time to start building the application.
Frontend developers are deployed to ensure that the service is implemented properly and the client-side of the app is ready.
► Backend Development
All the features and functionalities that you choose are implemented by building functionalities one by one.
The backend development process is usually the longest one, and hence, this is the most time-consuming, which often reflects on the cost of development.
► Database Setup
For your app to be more and more compatible with the data that it fetches, you need a dedicated database that you can either build customized or simply integrate.
The choice is up to you. However, keep in mind that it is a mandatory step for your business.
► API Development & Integration
If you plan to borrow data and functionalities from different processes, this is the ideal solution for you. There are different APIs you can integrate to add functionality to your solution.
If there’s something in-house, you can even build an API for the same.
► Testing and Deployment
After all the integrations are done, your application is subjected to rigorous testing.
This mobile app testing allows you to be more precise about the features you want to offer, as it tells you whether the features are working or not.
With specified test cases, the testing process can be made thorough. Once the product is tested, it is ready to be deployed.
► Maintenance and Upgrades
Last but not least, the whole app experience requires proper maintenance and regular upgrades to ensure that there are no issues with the app.
Not to mention, regular version upgrades also keep your app more relevant to the users.
You always have the option to not go for a maintenance package; however, that is not recommended.
Based on all these steps, here is a breakdown of all the costs it would take to start an online handyman business similar to Thumbtack –
| Component | Minimum Cost * | Maximum Cost * |
| Research and Planning | $1,500 | $10,000 |
| UI/UX Design | $700 | $20,000 |
| Frontend Development | $2,000 | $35,000 |
| Backend Development | $15,000 | $60,000 |
| Database Setup | $4,000 | $35,000 |
| API Development & Integration | $3,000 | $65,000 |
| Testing & Deployment | $2,000 | $15,000 |
| Maintenance & Upgrades | $2,000 | $10,000 |
Factors Affecting the Cost of Developing an App Like Thumbtack
The difference between the minimum and maximum cost to develop an app like Thumbtack is significantly higher than what one might expect.
That is because multiple factors are making the price go up and down. You see, when building an application, you cannot always rely on things to be perfectly favorable.
Sometimes you find a cheaper development team, but the resources cost more; sometimes, your resources are sorted, but the developers are expensive.
In case you are planning to develop an app like Thumbtack, you must keep the following factors in mind while deciding on the cost to develop a handyman app –
♦ App Complexity and Features
App complexity refers to the layers of difficulty that a developer might face while crafting the app.
A basic application like a calculator has low complexity, while an app that does multiple operations together will have a higher complexity. The more complex you make your app, the more it will cost.
♦ Development Approach
Based on what type of development approach you go for, be it an SDLC or Agile, also makes a difference in the cost of building an app like Thumbtack.
The approach you choose defines the time it would take and the number of experts it would take to build the final app.
♦ Platform Choice
Another interesting choice that you need to make is whether you want to build Native apps for both Android & iOS platforms, or whether you want to go for a Hybrid application that gets the job done easily.
The debate between Native Vs Hybrid App development is an old one, as while one offers a smoother experience, the other one is cost-effective.
♦ Development Team Location
In case you have finalised on everything and still want to save money on your development process, only choose the development team from an Asian country.
That is because the per-hour rate of developers is significantly lower in that region, making it more pocket-friendly.
On the other hand, if you go for a team based in Europe or the US, the cost will be higher.
♦ Third-Party Integrations
The integrations that you opt for also add to the cost of development.
Hence, while building an app like Thumbtack, make sure that you only choose the necessary features and do not go overboard, as these integrations can even be done in the future if not necessary, saving you some outright cost and giving you room to check if the additional features are needed or not.
♦ Security Measures
Additional security measures, such as the implementation of encryption or blockchain for payments and others, can cost you more than your usual app security features.
Sure, keeping your application secure should be your priority; however, you should understand the requirements of how much security is needed in a Thumbtack app and make decisions accordingly.
Other than these, your marketing and launching costs are also something that adds to the budget of building an app like Thumbtack.
You can always make the choices according to your requirements and customize your cost to develop an app like Thumbstack.
What makes the difference here is the type of team and the development company that you opt for.
Understanding that you do not have enough insights about the application development process, it is the duty of the app developers you choose to offer you an optimized solution that fits your budget.
Hence, finding the right development partner becomes the ultimate necessity.
Optimize the Cost to Develop an App Like Thumbtack With Nimble AppGenie
In case you are wondering who can help me build an app like Thumbtack without making it cost a fortune, Nimble AppGenie can be a great choice for you.
At Nimble AppGenie, we can help you identify the opportunities in the market while keeping in mind your budget.
You see, technology today allows you to be flexible enough, and using the flexibility, we can help you identify the core features you need, along with the integrations, ensuring the best handyman app development company you can get within a specified budget.
Our team of developers has expertise in both crafting highly robust solutions and understanding the needs of the users.
Reach out to our experts today, and optimize your app development cost with Nimble AppGenie.
Conclusion
The cost to create an app like Thumbtack depends on multiple factors, ranging from the stages of development to testing and deployment.
Understanding what your vision is and what kind of features you need is the key to optimizing your expenses while developing an app like Thumbtack.
The average cost of developing an app like Thumbtack usually ranges between $20,000 to $250,000 and more.
Make sure you make appropriate decisions in choosing the approach, platform, and the type of development team, and voila, you will be able to save the cost to create an app like Thumbtack.
Feel free to reach out to our experts, as they are always ready to help. That will be all for this post. Thanks for reading, good luck!
FAQs
Nimble AppGenie is the perfect solution for your budget-based app development requirements, as they have an in-house team of developers that helps them reduce the cost that you might have to pay for outsourcing.
Niketan Sharma is the CTO of Nimble AppGenie, a prominent website and mobile app development company in the USA that is delivering excellence with a commitment to boosting business growth & maximizing customer satisfaction. He is a highly motivated individual who helps SMEs and startups grow in this dynamic market with the latest technology and innovation.
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