Waiting is so passé. Here at Built In LA, we're loving all the new on-demand companies making sure we never waste a minute. Some companies are things we can’t live without anymore, like emergency services and better on-demand handyman services. Others just make our lives easier – getting on-demand laundry and dry cleaning services or alcohol right to our doors. Others, well, we’ll let you use your imagination on why you’d need on-demand. Read on to see how our lives our changing with the proliferation of on-demand in LA.
Honk
Santa Monica-based HONK launched late last year to give users the ability to order emergency auto assistance from their smartphone. From towing, tire changes, jump-starting, lockout service and fuel service, the app provides all the kinds of services you never hope you need, but ultimately end up using at 3 a.m. when all service stations are closed. The app started when the founder realized it was easier to get a cab on-demand than it was to get real emergency help. The company, with more than 20,000 tow trucks nationwide, estimates service within 15 to 30 minutes after a request is put into the app. Unlike its better-known competitor AAA, HONK doesn’t require a subscription plan. Services start at $49.
Nothing is more frustrating than waiting at home all day for a handyman to repair an appliance and have him be a no-show. SERVIZ, an on-demand service providing handyman, plumbing, electrical, phone and garage door repair and carpet cleaning gives prices up-front, cutting a huge headache out of the process. Users can choose from their listed services, book an appointment on their app or online with a time and date (a two hour window), and payment is only made after the job is done. Service providers can be at your home within an hour and users can track the service providers as they come to your house – meaning no more surprises on when they’ll show up!
No one likes doing their own laundry, or trekking their delicates to the drycleaner. That’s why year and a half old company Washio sounds like such a hit. Order pick up and delivery services to clean your clothes in 24 hours. The company not only does a boring chore for you – they are environmentally friendly, using cloth bags, ditching harsh chemicals and focusing on having a small carbon footprint. Even cooler? If you have clothes to donate, the company will pick those up (along with your order) and donate them on your behalf. Washio is in LA, San Francisco and Washington DC, with plans to expand to New York, Boston, Miami, Atlanta, Chicago, Austin, Denver and Seattle.
Saucey
Nothing kills a party like running out of booze. But don’t risk your life by getting in the car after having a drink – download Suacey instead. It’s an app that promises beer, wine and spirits delivered to your door in 20-40 minutes. Unlike many on-demand services, Saucey keeps everything in house – you won’t find any third party deliverers. The company donates a percentage of all sales to Charity Water – so the next time you pop some champagne, you can feel good about giving back.
MeUndies
Undies may seem like an odd choice for an on-demand service, but the apparel provider thinks there’s a market for same day underwear delivery service. MeUndies has teamed up with San Francisco-based Postmates to deliver the goods. So far, it’s an LA-based service (perhaps we go through more underwear here?). So next time you're stuck somewhere overnight without a change of clothes, at least you’ll have the option to order clean undies (and socks and t-shirts too).
