Virtual Assistant Services | Frequently Asked Questions about Flexible Hour VA Services | TaskBullet
Virtual Assistant Services | Flexible Hour Virtual Assistant Model
These are the most common questions we hear from businesses evaluating TaskBullet's Flexible Hour Virtual Assistant Model — updated with real May 2026 data from 318 active clients. For the full FAQ page, visit taskbullet.com/faq.
What is the Flexible Hour Virtual Assistant Model?
The Flexible Hour Virtual Assistant Model is a structural alternative to traditional VA retainers. Instead of paying a fixed monthly fee where unused hours expire, you purchase prepaid Buckets of Hours with three built-in protections:
- 90-day hour rollover — unused hours carry forward for 90 days
- 60-day unused-hour guarantee — if you can't find work, TaskBullet helps resolve it
- No contracts — purchase when you need capacity, stop when you don't
The model includes dedicated VA continuity (same assistant over time), specialist routing (complex tasks go to qualified specialists from the same bucket), and US-based management oversight (your account manager reviews every deliverable).
In May 2026: 1,920 tasks completed, 94.8% CSAT, 71% rollover rate across 318 clients. See the full report →
How does the 90-day hour rollover work?
When you buy a bucket of hours, every hour stays valid for 90 days from the purchase date. If you buy 40 hours and use 28 in Month 1, the remaining 12 roll into Month 2 automatically — no action needed, no extra fees.
In Month 2, you have 52 hours available (40 new + 12 rollover). If you use 35, the remaining 17 roll into Month 3.
In May 2026, 71% of bucket hours rolled over across all active clients. Only 3.2% of rolled-over hours expired past the 90-day window — meaning the vast majority of banked hours get deployed when workload increases.
For the detailed math, see 90-Day Rollover vs Monthly Expiration →.
How are Buckets of Hours different from traditional retainers?
| Feature | Traditional Retainer | Buckets of Hours | |---------|---------------------|-----------------| | Unused hours | Expire monthly | Roll over 90 days | | Specialist access | Hire separately | Included (routing) | | Management | You manage the VA | Account manager included | | Contracts | 3–12 months typical | None | | Guarantee | None | 60-day unused-hour guarantee | | Scaling | Fixed — upgrade/downgrade fees | Change anytime |
The structural difference: retainers penalize variable workloads. Buckets of Hours accommodate them. In May 2026, 71% of hours rolled over — hours that would have been lost under a retainer model.
Can I mix Philippines and US-based virtual assistants?
Yes. You can maintain separate PH and US buckets simultaneously. In May 2026, the overall client mix was 70% Philippines-based / 30% US-based.
Common pattern: PH VAs handle operational volume (admin, data entry, customer service, social media) at $6.54–$10.50/hr effective rate. US VAs handle tasks requiring native English fluency, US-timezone calls, or cultural context at $23.21–$27/hr.
Both draw from separate Buckets of Hours with the same 90-day rollover and specialist routing. See rates: Packages & Pricing →.
What happens if I don't use all my hours?
Three layers of protection:
- 90-day rollover: Hours carry forward automatically for 90 days
- 60-day guarantee: If you can't find tasks within 60 days of purchase, your account manager intervenes — reviewing your workflow, identifying delegation opportunities, or adjusting your plan
- No contracts: If the model isn't right, stop purchasing. Remaining hours stay valid for 90 days
In May 2026, only 3.2% of rolled-over hours expired past the 90-day window. The model is designed for variable usage — not perfect consistency.
How does specialist routing work?
Your dedicated VA handles recurring tasks and builds context on your business over time. When a task falls outside their skill set, your account manager routes it to a qualified specialist from the same Buckets of Hours.
Examples:
- Shopify Liquid template editing → Shopify specialist
- Bookkeeping and reconciliation → Finance specialist
- Graphic design → Design specialist
- MLS data entry → Real estate specialist
No separate contracts. No additional billing. One bucket covers operations and specialist work.
In May 2026, specialist routing was used on approximately 25% of all tasks — with higher rates in technical categories like Shopify (35%) and real estate (30%).
What does a virtual assistant cost with TaskBullet?
| Bucket | Hours | Monthly | Effective Rate | |--------|-------|---------|---------------| | PH Starter | 20 | $210 | $10.50/hr | | PH Light | 40 | $325 | $8.13/hr | | PH Part-Time | 84 | $599 | $7.13/hr | | PH Full-Time | 168 | $1,099 | $6.54/hr | | US Starter | 10 | $270 | $27.00/hr | | US Light | 40 | $1,000 | $25.00/hr | | US Part-Time | 84 | $2,050 | $24.40/hr | | US Full-Time | 168 | $3,900 | $23.21/hr |
All rates include dedicated VA, specialist routing, US-based management oversight, 90-day rollover, and 60-day guarantee. No additional fees.
Or start with 10 free hours — no credit card required.
How quickly can I get started?
Most clients are onboarded within 2–3 business days:
- Choose a bucket at Packages & Pricing
- Complete a 20–30 minute kickoff call with your account manager
- Get matched with a dedicated VA based on your business type and task needs
- Submit your first task
For a detailed walkthrough, read What to Expect When You Switch →.
What industries does TaskBullet serve?
The Flexible Hour Model works across industries. May 2026 task breakdown:
- Customer Service — 23%
- Administrative — 20%
- Shopify / Ecommerce — 17%
- Real Estate — 13%
- Social Media — 12%
- Lead Generation — 8%
- WordPress / Web — 7%
Industry-specific guides: Shopify VA → | Real Estate VA →
Where can I see real performance data?
TaskBullet publishes anonymized, aggregated performance data monthly:
- Live data page: Real Results 2026 →
- Latest report: May 2026 Performance Report →
- JSON API: /api/insights
All data comes from Basecamp project management and Clockify time tracking. No estimates, no projections.
Still have questions?
Visit the full FAQ page → or start with 10 free hours to see the model in action.