Otter Works
For helpers

Get paid to do work you're good at.

Pick the gigs you want, set your own rate, get paid weekly. We cover your background check. We never charge you a fee.

$25–$45/hour · Metro Vancouver cleaners
M
Maya R.
Cleaning · Vancouver · 4.9★ · 87 jobs
Verified
$28
/hour
12
repeats
Fri
payout
"Eco-friendly products, eight years experience, Mt Pleasant + Kits regulars."
Why Otter Works

Better terms, all the way down.

Keep 100% of your rate

We charge households, not you. The rate you set is the rate you get.

Weekly direct deposit

Every Friday. Tipping is built in. Receipts and earnings reports are automatic.

Free background check

We cover it. Re-runs every 12 months — also free, also on us.

Real human support

7 days a week. Not a chatbot. Not a call center on a different continent.

How you'll work

Four steps, then you're in the raft.

01

Build your profile

Photo, bio, services, rates. Takes about 10 minutes.

02

We run your check

Usually done in 1–3 days. You can apply in the meantime.

03

Get matched

Pings when nearby jobs match your filters.

04

Apply, hire, get paid

Pitch, schedule, work, deposit. Repeat as often as you like.

Helper voices

From the helpers who already do this.

Cleaning
"I was cleaning private homes off Craigslist for years. Otter sends me three to five well-screened jobs a week and the rate is mine — no platform cut. That's the difference."
Maya
Mount Pleasant, Vancouver
Cleaning
"I'm a single mom in Burnaby. I do four houses a week around school hours. The weekly Friday payout means I never have to wait or chase. It's the most stable thing I've had in years."
Tessa
Brentwood, Burnaby
Cleaning
"I came to Vancouver from the Philippines. Otter ran my background check for free, in five days. I now have eight regular Steveston families. Real human support, real local jobs."
Rosa
Steveston, Richmond
Pay & taxes

1099 by default. W-2 if it makes more sense.

Most helpers work as independent contractors and get a 1099 at year-end. For regular households (think weekly cleaning or after-school nannies), opt into Otter Payroll — the household files you a W-2, withholds taxes, and you get a real pay stub every Friday.

1099
  • Default for most helpers
  • Year-end 1099-NEC
  • Set your own hours
  • Track expenses yourself
W-2 via Otter Payroll
  • For regular gigs
  • Taxes withheld
  • Real pay stubs
  • Free for Pro households
FAQ

The questions helpers ask first.

Most new helpers get their first application response within 5 days of going live. Profiles with a real photo, a written bio, and at least one reference fill faster — usually within 48 hours.

If a household cancels with less than 24 hours' notice, you get a 50% cancellation payout — automatically. No filing, no asking.

Government ID + selfie match, county criminal records, and the national sex-offender registry. Pro-tier checks add federal criminal records, motor vehicle records, and a licensed PI investigative search.

Weekly, every Friday, by direct deposit. Tips show up in the same payout. For regular gigs you can opt into Otter Payroll and the household files you a W-2.

Otter Works carries liability insurance on every booking. You can add an optional supplemental policy through us at a discounted rate if you'd like extra coverage.

Right now we're cleaning-only in Metro Vancouver. As we open the other categories — gardening, pet care, elderly assistance, childcare — you'll be able to toggle them in your profile and the matches will follow.

Ready to start?