Top three by demand-to-competition ratio
Based on xFix data for the last 90 days. We took the ratio of jobs posted to pros available — the higher the number, the more jobs per pro.
1. Handyman (general)
Demand: 380 jobs a week in Tbilisi, 140 in Batumi. Competition: moderate. The barrier to entry is low — basic tools and capable hands. Rate: ₾30–60 an hour. A sensible starting category for a new pro.
2. Furniture assembly
Demand: 220 a week in Tbilisi. Competition: below average. The peak season is September to November — new school year, moving season. Price: ₾500–1,500 per job depending on complexity. IKEA assembly is a steady stream of work.
3. Plumbing (niche)
Demand: 290 a week. Competition: high in the general category but low in the niches — water heaters, polypropylene, stainless steel. Price: ₾800–3,500 per job. The barrier is higher because you need skills and tools, but so is the average ticket.
Categories where competition is overheated
- Deep cleaning — plenty of pros, low average ticket (₾200–400).
- General painting and decorating — many independents, prices under pressure.
- Electrical — many pros without formal certification, competing on price.
By region
Tbilisi is a large market: more competition, but more jobs. Batumi is seasonal — tourists and short-let apartments — peaking from March to October. Kutaisi and Rustavi have fewer jobs but far fewer pros, so a niche is easier to claim.
What to do with this
If you have basic skills, start as a handyman. That gets you your first reviews and a feel for the market. After two or three months, specialise: pick a narrow niche inside your main category. Specialists consistently earn more than generalists.