Curri: Make money delivering construction supplies

If you’ve got a truck or large van and don’t mind construction and industrial supply deliveries, Curri may be a good option for you.

Curri is a specialized gig platform made for drivers who handle construction and industrial supplies. That means everything from lumber and plumbing parts to electrical gear and even heavy materials for job sites. Some people call it the Uber for construction materials, and it fits. Freelance drivers are enlisted to do the work, using their own trucks, vans and sedans.

How it works

Getting started with Curri is easy. Fill out the online application, then Curri will run a quick background check. Once that’s done and you’re officially onboarded, you’ll be placed on a waitlist.

When there’s demand for drivers in your region, Curri reaches out. Naturally, the wait time can vary. In some areas, the driver pool is already full. In others, new drivers are brought on more quickly.

The type of vehicle you drive and your location matter most here. For example, trucks with pipe racks and sprinter vans are in high demand, so those drivers usually move through faster. If you want to boost your chances, Curri offers a short Priority Waitlist survey where you can share more about your setup.

You can also check your status anytime in the Curri app.

Curri’s founders, Matt Lafferty and Brian Gonzalez, launched their site after chatting with a number of contractors about the time they wasted searching for and picking up supplies. Believing that contractors needed on-demand supply delivery service, Curri launched in 2018.

The site’s goal is to provide on-demand, flexible deliveries of construction and industrial supplies nationwide. Drivers use their own vehicles — trucks, vans or flatbeds — to claim jobs. Hours are flexible.

Variable earnings

The amount you earn is largely dependent on the type of vehicle you drive. While Curri welcomes vehicles of all sizes, from sedans to box trucks, driving a larger vehicle, like a truck or van, is a big plus. It gives you access to the most profitable jobs. Gridwise, a tool to help drivers earn more, says that drivers are paid between $1.50 and $1.75 per mile, depending on location and the type of vehicle they drive.

Heavy loads

Because you’re delivering construction supplies, you have to be ready to do some heavy lifting. The site says drivers should be prepared to regularly pick up 50 pounds. But if you’re asked to load or unload your truck, you are likely to be paid extra here. That’s a considerably better deal than with other construction delivery apps, such as Frayt and Bungii.

Work availability

That said, your ability to find work with Curri will depend a lot on where you are. While the site aims to be ubiquitous nationally, but there’s precious little demand in some parts of the country.

Additionally, the site requires drivers to be punctual and properly dressed, which means closed-toe shoes and clean work clothes. Being late or looking unprofessional can get you kicked off the app.

Curri’s work also happens during normal business hours, when suppliers and construction sites are open. That means there are rarely late-night shifts. Consequently, this side gig only works for people who can stick to a typical workday schedule.

Real-Time Tracking and Transparency

As a customer or distributor, you get live GPS tracking and proof of delivery, like photos and signatures, for every shipment. That means a clear, up-to-date view of the whole delivery process.

Notably, as a driver, you need to religiously provide those photos and signatures that provide Curri clients with proof of delivery. Your paycheck depends on it.

Instant and Flexible Payouts

As a driver, you are generally paid within 7 days of completing a gig by direct deposit. However, you can choose to get paid within one to three business days for free, or instantly, for a small fee (1%).

Challenges

You will be given details about each job — the distance, the pay and the load details — before you commit. But once you commit, you are contractually obligated to do that gig. If you change you mind, Curri can exact a financial punishment. The site doesn’t say how much that could be. However, the app does not appear to pay drivers when a customer cancels, even if the driver has already started the gig.

The app can also be buggy. And drivers say support is often AWOL.

Recommendations

Curri offers some decent opportunities, but be selective when taking gigs here. You can sign up with Curri here. If construction delivery is your thing, we recommend signing up with several similar sites as well, including Frayt and Bungii. Amazon Flex is also a good option, particularly during holiday rush periods.

Kristof is the editor of SideHusl.com, an independent website that reviews moneymaking opportunities in the gig economy.