Ask HN: Non-profit app ideas to help the world?
We're always seeking for app ideas to make profits, but do you have ideas for any app that does not exist yet and could help people at a big scale?
One idea is handyman services but employ under-privileged people that need help getting back on their feet or a new career. Usually small handyman jobs are really hard to get done because most reputable companies would rather do bigger jobs. Things like "fix my deck stairs" - decking contractors want to do new deck builds because that's more profitable.
The app's users are not just affluent homeowners who don't DIY anything but also local trades companies like plumbers, electricians, carpenters, etc. The idea is a local carpenter could donate their time, take an apprentice and do handyman calls say 1 day a week. The carpenter could possibly get a tax write-off, the apprentice gains experience, the homeowner gets minor jobs done that are really hard to get contractors to do.
The app would need scheduling/availability, bids/estimates, places for homeowners to make requests, etc. Any costs to run app are built into the pricing that homeowners pay. All money is local, except maybe a flat fee for app+server maintenance for the non-profit.
Its sort of like Habitat for Humanity but handyman services instead of building houses. An app just glues the people and services together and gives it a one-stop-shop feel.