6 'Dirty' Side Hustles That Pay Well When Times Are Tough
There are, in fact, dirty jobs. And yes, someone has to do them. However, at the very least, you should get paid handsomely for your efforts when wading through job pools many people may want to avoid.
Nowadays, on top of just finding lucrative side gigs, you have to deal with dwindling options and more competition for flexible work. Fortunately, there are a few paths less trodden where you can still shine.
Explore More: Summer Side Hustles That Can Earn You $5K a Week — If You Lay the Right Groundwork
Consider These: 8 Low-Effort Ways to Make Passive Income (You Can Start This Week)
Here are six recession-resistant side gigs you can consider pursuing where competition may not be as stiff and allow you to clean up financially (in a manner of speaking, at least).
1. Emergency Roof Tarps and Leak Protection
As seasons change, they can potentially wreak havoc on your home if it’s not properly weather-proofed. Michael Stein, founder and business growth and retail expert at Tarps Plus, thinks this could be an untapped industry where you can make between $20 and $40 an hour on average (or more depending on how emergent).
“As time passes, damage caused by water becomes costly. That makes this job recession resistant," he said. "Providing this protection requires a tarp, some tools, safety training and insurance. Roofs and the work needed on them becomes dangerous, and it is better to learn on the job with someone who is more experienced or focus on protection jobs that are lower to the ground.”
2. Storm Cleanup, Debris Hauling and Junk Removal
Protection is one thing, but the aftermath of storms and severe weather also need some helping hands in any economy. This can also earn you upwards of $40 an hour, but more urgent jobs like covering equipment from storms and hauling could net you a higher, according to Stein.
“That is especially the case for the business caused by a change in property ownership or the effects of a storm," said Stein. "Providing this service requires some essential hauling equipment, protective gloves, a tarp and a truck."
3. Gutter Cleaning and External Drainage Solutions
If you’re fine with getting elbow deep in mucky debris, then this is a high-demand side hustle where you can make a lot of extra cash.
“Gutters block and leak, causing roof and foundation problems that potentially damage your walls and furnishings," noted Stein. "This work is not exciting, but it does solve a problem and can be combined easily with other small services: Landscaping to clear clogged and overflowing gutters, extending downspouts, basic yard cleanup and installing seasonal weatherproofing."
4. Covering Services for Equipment Like Boats and RVs
Depending on where you live, this type of work can either be seasonal or year-round. Charging $30 an hour is a great way to pad an emergency savings account for a rainy day.
“Most people don’t think of this side hustle, but in a slow economy, people are much less likely to replace their possessions and would much rather maintain and protect them," said Stein. "This side hustle can serve a lot of people, as it can cover boats, RVs, patio furniture, firewood and practically anything that can be kept or is used. If you know how to properly secure a tarp, you can offer a highly valuable service.”
5. Detailing Cars
Parham Koukia, lead car detailer at Panda Hub, has been detailing vehicles for over a decade and noted that automobiles tend to get messy regardless of the state of the economy. He also stressed that during an economic downturn, people tend to hold on to their vehicles for longer instead of upgrading, so they're more likely to invest in a deep clean.
The time commitment will depend on how much you want to allocate, but Koukia pointed out that you can earn $300 to $500 in an eight-hour shift with just two to three details. He also said you can get into mobile auto detailing, which has a low startup and a high return potential for weekend work.
6. Cleaning Pools
"When people have pools, maintaining them is essential, regardless of the state of the economy," said Jeremy Yamaguchi, CEO of Cabana Pools. "Neglecting your pool can lead to damage, which can be very costly to repair, so it's more advantageous money-wise to clean it than leave it be and pay to fix the damage eventually."
When someone wants to open their pool for the season or they need it cleaned, they can't neglect this service, even in a recession. According to Indeed, the average hourly rate for pool cleaning is $20 per hour, but the pay will vary depending on your community and the urgency of the task. For example, you may have higher demand and be able to charge more during the springtime when homeowners are eager to open up the pool season.
Martin Dasko contributed to the reporting for this article.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
More From MoneyLion: