How to Decide Which Chores Are Worth Outsourcing
Not every chore should be outsourced, but many should. How do you decide which ones? This framework helps you evaluate chores systematically, prioritize outsourcing candidates, and make smart decisions about where to invest in services. Let's break down the decision process.
The Evaluation Framework
Factor 1: Time Cost
Calculate:
- How long does it take?
- Include prep, execution, cleanup
- Account for travel if applicable
- Total time investment
Higher time cost = Higher outsourcing priority
Example: Returns
- Prep: 15 minutes
- Travel: 30 minutes
- Waiting: 25 minutes
- Travel back: 30 minutes
- Total: 100 minutes
- High time cost → Strong candidate
Factor 2: Your Hourly Value
Calculate:
- Income / hours worked
- Or what you could earn with free time
- Or value you place on leisure time
Your Hourly Value × Time Cost = Opportunity Cost
Example:
- Your value: $75/hour
- Return time: 100 minutes (1.67 hours)
- Opportunity cost: $125
- Service cost: $22
- Savings: $103 → Excellent candidate
Factor 3: Service Cost
Research:
- What does outsourcing cost?
- Quality of service
- Reliability
- Value for money
Lower cost (relative to time value) = Higher priority
Example: Returns
- Service cost: $20-25
- Time value: $125
- Ratio: 0.18 (18% of time value)
- Excellent ratio → Strong candidate
Factor 4: Enjoyment Level
Ask:
- Do I enjoy this task?
- Does it provide value beyond necessity?
- Is it relaxing or fulfilling?
Less enjoyment = Higher outsourcing priority
Example: Returns
- Enjoyment: Zero
- Value: None (pure logistics)
- Fulfillment: Negative
- No enjoyment → Strong candidate
Factor 5: Skill Requirement
Assess:
- Does it require my specific skills?
- Could anyone do it?
- Is professional handling better?
Lower skill requirement = Higher outsourcing priority
Example: Returns
- Skill needed: None
- Anyone can do it: Yes
- Professional better: Often
- No special skill → Strong candidate
Factor 6: Frequency
Count:
- How often does this occur?
- Weekly? Monthly? Annually?
- Cumulative time impact?
Higher frequency = Higher total impact
Example: Returns
- Frequency: 2-4 times/month
- Annual occurrences: 24-48
- Total time: 40-80 hours/year
- High frequency → Strong candidate
Factor 7: Mental Load
Consider:
- Planning required?
- Decision-making involved?
- Ongoing mental tracking?
Higher mental load = Higher outsourcing value
Example: Returns
- Must track deadlines
- Must plan trip
- Must coordinate
- Constant mental presence
- High mental load → Strong candidate
Factor 8: Physical Demand
Evaluate:
- Physical labor required?
- Strenuous or demanding?
- Health considerations?
Higher physical demand = Higher value for some
Example: Returns
- Minimal physical demand
- Some walking/standing
- Package carrying
- Moderate physical → Some value
The Decision Matrix
Scoring System
Rate Each Factor (1-10):
- Time cost (higher = more priority)
- Opportunity cost (higher = more priority)
- Cost-effectiveness (lower service cost = higher score)
- Enjoyment (lower enjoyment = higher score)
- Skill requirement (lower = higher score)
- Frequency (higher = more priority)
- Mental load (higher = more priority)
- Physical demand (higher = some extra priority)
Total Score: Out of 80
Interpretation
60-80: Excellent outsourcing candidate 40-59: Good candidate, consider carefully 20-39: Marginal candidate, personal preference 0-19: Probably keep in-house
Common Chore Evaluations
Returns
Scores:
- Time cost: 9/10 (100 minutes)
- Opportunity cost: 10/10 ($103 saved)
- Cost-effectiveness: 10/10 (18% ratio)
- Enjoyment: 1/10 (hate it)
- Skill requirement: 1/10 (none needed)
- Frequency: 8/10 (2-4/month)
- Mental load: 9/10 (deadlines, planning)
- Physical demand: 4/10 (some walking)
Total: 52/80
Adjusted for opportunity cost: 62/80
Conclusion: Excellent candidate, outsource
House Cleaning
Scores:
- Time cost: 9/10 (3-4 hours)
- Opportunity cost: 9/10 ($150-200)
- Cost-effectiveness: 7/10 (service $100-150)
- Enjoyment: 2/10 (most dislike)
- Skill requirement: 3/10 (some skill helps)
- Frequency: 10/10 (weekly)
- Mental load: 6/10 (some planning)
- Physical demand: 9/10 (very physical)
Total: 55/80
Conclusion: Excellent candidate, outsource
Lawn Care
Scores:
- Time cost: 7/10 (2 hours)
- Opportunity cost: 7/10 ($75-100)
- Cost-effectiveness: 8/10 (service $50-75)
- Enjoyment: 5/10 (some enjoy it)
- Skill requirement: 4/10 (some skill)
- Frequency: 7/10 (weekly in season)
- Mental load: 4/10 (minimal)
- Physical demand: 9/10 (very physical)
Total: 51/80
Conclusion: Good candidate, personal preference matters
Cooking
Scores:
- Time cost: 9/10 (5-10 hours/week)
- Opportunity cost: 8/10 (varies)
- Cost-effectiveness: 6/10 (meal services expensive)
- Enjoyment: 7/10 (many enjoy)
- Skill requirement: 7/10 (health benefits to knowing)
- Frequency: 10/10 (daily)
- Mental load: 7/10 (meal planning)
- Physical demand: 5/10 (moderate)
Total: 59/80
Conclusion: Personal decision, many keep it
Priority Ranking
Tier 1: Outsource First
Characteristics:
- High time cost
- High opportunity cost
- Low enjoyment
- Low skill requirement
- High frequency
Examples:
- Returns (score: 62)
- House cleaning (score: 55)
- Basic lawn care (score: 51)
Tier 2: Consider Carefully
Characteristics:
- Moderate scores
- Personal preference important
- Some value in doing yourself
Examples:
- Complex lawn care
- Some meal prep
- Basic handyman tasks
Tier 3: Probably Keep
Characteristics:
- Enjoyment high
- Skill development valuable
- Low time cost
- Personal satisfaction
Examples:
- Cooking (if enjoyed)
- Gardening (if hobby)
- Home improvement (if skilled/interested)
Special Considerations
Life Stage Matters
Young Professional:
- Prioritize career-building time
- Outsource aggressively
- Maximize income potential
Parents:
- Prioritize family time
- Outsource chores
- Protect kid time
Retirees:
- Considerations vary
- Some chores provide activity
- Others still worth outsourcing
Budget Constraints
Tight Budget:
- Prioritize highest-ROI chores
- Returns often #1 (saves money)
- Add others as budget allows
Comfortable Budget:
- Outsource broader range
- Focus on time reclamation
- Life quality improvement
Health Considerations
Physical Limitations:
- Physical chores priority
- Safety first
- Independence maintained
Mental Health:
- High-stress chores priority
- Burnout prevention
- Well-being focus
The Implementation Plan
Step 1: List All Chores
Create Inventory:
- Everything you regularly do
- Time estimates
- Frequency
- Complete list
Step 2: Score Each
Apply Framework:
- Use 8 factors
- Score honestly
- Calculate totals
- Rank by score
Step 3: Research Services
For Top Candidates:
- Service availability
- Cost
- Quality
- Reliability
Step 4: Start with Highest Score
Begin:
- Usually returns
- Sometimes cleaning
- Occasionally lawn care
- One at a time
Step 5: Evaluate and Expand
After 3 Months:
- Assess value
- Calculate ROI
- Decide to continue
- Add next chore
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Not Calculating True Cost
Error: Only look at service cost Fix: Calculate full opportunity cost
Mistake 2: Guilt Over Outsourcing
Error: Feel lazy or wasteful Fix: Recognize smart resource allocation
Mistake 3: Keeping Everything
Error: Try to do it all Fix: Strategic outsourcing is wisdom
Mistake 4: Outsourcing Enjoyable Tasks
Error: Outsource things you like Fix: Keep what provides value/joy
Conclusion: Smart Decision-Making
Deciding which chores to outsource isn't about being lazy or wasteful—it's about smart resource allocation. By systematically evaluating time cost, opportunity cost, enjoyment, and other factors, you can make informed decisions about where to invest in services.
Returns consistently score as excellent outsourcing candidates: high time cost, high opportunity cost, low enjoyment, no skill required, high frequency, and significant mental load. For most people, returns should be the first chore outsourced.
Use this framework to evaluate your chores, prioritize outsourcing, and reclaim your most valuable resource: time.
Ready to outsource your first chore? Check Returnful's service and start with returns.
Need help deciding what to outsource? Text us at 469-790-7579 and we'll help you evaluate!
Written by
Returnful Team
Part of the Returnful team, helping DFW residents save time on their online returns with same-day pickup service.
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