It wasn’t that long ago that in order to have service at a snap you had to be a member of a royal family. These days, it’s as simple as tapping a smartphone app. Do you want your faucet fixed with the flick of your wrist or have a delicious meal whipped up in your own kitchen? Want to feel like royalty? Just boot up one of these apps, and see how many helpers your thumb can summon.

MR. FIX IT

A drippy pipe, clogged drain, or broken power outlet is a bummer, and if you’re not a home improvement guru, taking the tools into your own hands can do more harm than good. If you’d rather hire an expert instead of risking an unfortunate hole in your wall or electrical snafu, Handybook can get it done.

Covering over 20 highly populated regions in North America, the app provides access to repair experts of all specialties, including electrical repair, plumbing, and even cleaning. You can get super specific with your request, and even specify what particular part of an appliance is malfunctioning. You’ll receive an instant quote for the work and with a tap of a button you can have a handyperson on your door by 7 AM the next day.

FRIEND TRUSTED

This fantastic Windows Phone app makes you the king of your own home improvement empire. Just snap a photo showing whatever you want done, from plumbing to masonry, maid service to tree trimming, and everything in between. Friend Trusted forwards your request to its list of contractors who will bid against each other for your business.

Once you see a bid that fits your budget, you can connect with the contractor directly through the app and schedule a time for your work to be done. The best part is that Friend Trusted pre-screens all of its would-be workers, so you’ll never have to worry about being matched up with someone shady.

SUMMON A SITTER

Finding quality childcare isn’t easy, especially on short notice. You don’t want to leave your youngsters with a potentially creepy random stranger, and taking the time to research a sitter’s background and experience means you’re probably not going to make it to the opera in three hours. UrbanSitter takes the guesswork out of babysitting and turbocharges your search for a kid-watcher.

Boot up the app, browse the available sitters in your area, and check out reviews from past clients to verify their credibility. You can see a photo of the person, call or message them, and even see how many families have repeatedly hired them, all before you trust them with your kids. A few taps of your touchscreen and you’re free and clear for a night on the town. How awesome is that?

WHAT’S FOR DINNER?

It’s been a rough week at work, you’re worn out from the daily grind, and the family is expecting an epic home-cooked dinner tonight. Forget ordering greasy take-out, just fire up the Hire A Chef app and have a delicious dinner crafted for you right in your own home. Spare yourself the dirty work, and hire a chef from the app’s massive list of the American Personal Chef Institute’s on-demand professionals.

With chefs specializing in all types of food and many servicing multiple cities in various regions, you’re sure to find a food flinger worth your attention. Snap your fingers and have a restaurant-quality meal whipped up right in your own kitchen, and maybe even pick up a few pointers along the way! It’s time to eat like a king.

LADIES, THIS ONE’S FOR YOU

If “it’s so hard to find a good man these days” is your mantra, you’ll find Rent-A-Gent to be a godsend. Whether you’re looking for a man to help you with some household chores, take you shopping, or even provide a few laughs for your long-planned Ladies Night, you’ll find them on Rent-A-Gent.

The site, which is optimized for mobile, has a huge collection of pre-screened men that are not only easy on the eyes, they’re also extremely skilled in everything from dancing and dog training to home improvement and martial arts.

STYLE SEAT

If you’re looking for anything from manicures and pedicures, to stylists and fashion consultants, all it takes is a few taps of the StyleSeat app. StyleSeat finds experienced beauty professionals near you, and can even provide you with their schedules and regular appointment times. You can grab the next available slot and browse reviews and ratings to make sure you get exactly what you’re looking for, before you drop your credit card on the counter.

Tags: apps, gadgets, helpers, iphone, servants, smartphones, summon

Posted in TechNow