Mobile Businesses, Trades

How To Start A Handyman | Repairman Services Business

Fix Up Your Future

Today, there are professional handypersons all over the country. Craigslist is full of ads for handypersons, and most earn a decent living. While not all handymen are handy, or honest for that matter, those who do have a good work ethic and are trustworthy will have a steady stream of clients. Whether you’re a garden handyman, a handyman electrician, a handyman painter, a handyman contractor, or just a general handyman, the work should flow in constantly. But being a handyman is not easy; it requires hard work, dedication, and skills. Perhaps you should consider setting up a handyman business if you possess any of these characteristics.

How To Start Handyman Business

Almost every home and place of business will need repairman services at some point. Sometimes it is broken cabinets; other times, a handrail is loose, or the garden is full of weeds. Seniors who live alone need constant assistance from an affordable handyman to ensure that the home is functional and safe.

Handyman Job Description

Before setting up your handyman business, you should first ask yourself if there is a need in your community or town. The most common reason for a handyman business not being successful is failing to assess local demand. There are hundreds of handymen in almost every city; the competition can be intense; only the best survive. However, suppose you reside in a remote community away from the city center or near a significant housing development. In that case, you may do well as a handyman, provided no one else is servicing that area.

You can search for handypersons in your area online. Also, scour the local newspaper, craigslist, and local marketplace ads. Finally, speak to some local do-it-yourselfers and ask them about business and opportunities in your area. If there are already dozens of handypersons in business, perhaps opening up in that area is not the best plan. Instead, enquire if any of these handymen need extra help. This way, you will earn money, learn the tricks of the trade, meet clients, and develop a local business understanding. Later, you can go out on your own

General Handyman Services: Diplomas And Knowledge

There is no specific training required to build a handyman business. For the most part, this profession is unregulated and does not require any diploma or authorization. This means that you must restrict yourself to work that does not require special certification, both for you and your clients. You cannot take on structural work (construction, for example) or do any complex electrical work. However, qualifying in a particular field can be a plus for your business! Specific sections of the repair may also require approval, such as permits from your local government. You can accept more complex jobs as a handyman if you have your credentials.

Here are a few handy links for getting qualified

Provide Professional Handyman Services

Being a handyman requires good people skills to help build long-term client relationships. Some of the traits for success include:

Be on time
Answer the phone
Be courteous
Be honest
Do not nickel and dime for every service
Be available
Communicate clearly
Act like a professional
Listen to the clients

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Be Prepared

As a handyman, you will frequently run into unexpected problems. For example, Clients may ask you to remove a dead raccoon from the chimney or fix a tiny leak in the attic. If you have no idea how to undertake these projects, this business may not be for you. So keep acquiring various skills to get the job done right, or the job will go to someone else.

Handyman Business Plan

Where will I operate?
What are my startup costs?
Where will I get the funding for my business?
Does one need a license or permit to work as a handyman?
Who will be my clients?
What services will I offer?
Should I rent or buy the tools?
What is the cost of insurance?
Who is my competition?
How will I market my services?
Should I lease or buy a new van for my business?
What should I charge for my services?
How much profit will I make?
What will be my maintenance costs?
How many clients should I have to break even?

The plan should be realistic and practical. The more detailed the goal, the more likely it is to overcome any deficits in the future.

There are some handy services available online

Some business plan templates that you should consider include:

Handyperson Business Identity

Once you decide to open up your handyman business, there are several administrative obligations you’ll need to arrange that include the following:

Register your business
Obtain the relevant permit and licenses
Register for state and federal taxes
Get EIN
Open a dedicated bank account

Check out these few companies that can assist you in getting your LLC started.

Here are a few government links you might want to visit

IRS Website

This site by the IRS is a must-see when beginning your LLC

Handyperson Legal Entity

To protect yourself and your assets from litigation. Create a legal entity like a corporation or a Limited liability company.

Always create a contract, no matter how small the job is, to avoid disputes later about payment or the job you were supposed to do. Have a lawyer look over the contract to ensure it covers everything, and before undertaking any job, make sure that both you and the owner have signed the agreement.

Some law firms specializing in the handyman business

Handyman License & Permits

You’ll require a license to operate as a handyman in every state. You may require different permits depending on the type of work. For example, if a handyperson seals leaks on the roof, he might need a temporary roofing permit. Finally, a do-it-yourselfer who does jobs that cost more than a few thousand might also need a contractor’s license. A visit to the local Chamber of Commerce is essential to determine what licenses and permits will be required.

Repairman Insurance

As a handyman, you’ll need insurance to protect you from litigation. The insurance should cover theft of your equipment, fire, vandalism, and liability. Liability insurance will help protect you from property damage or accident litigation.

Here is a list of some standard insurance companies

How Much To Start A Handyman Business

Unlike many other businesses, the handyman business has low startup costs. Most work from a van and will offer mobile services, so they have little overhead. The general startup costs include the following:

Van
Insurance
Tools
Gas for the van

A handyman startup’s highest cost will be the cost of tools, which can vary from $5K to $20K. The other considerable cost is a truck or a van. To offset the high cost of a new van, one can buy a good used van for less than 20K. The van must be reliable, and it must be fully insured to protect against theft.

How To Market Handyman Business

Create a webpage: Communicate where your talents lie, what areas you service, your contact information, and your prices.
Participate in social media platforms
Create a flyer and distribute it in the local community
Partner with retail hardware stores and leave your business card with them.
Create a logo and have it painted onto your truck

Here are a few marketing companies you might want to see

Your First Clients

When you have formed your business, your first challenge will be to find your first customers.

Create flyers to distribute in your neighborhood and surrounding areas with local merchants, real estate agencies, town halls, etc. Also, consider online classifieds sites.
Make yourself known by working on your presence on social networks.
Register on platforms like TaskRabbit or Angieslist. Match the profiles of competent professionals and specialists with clients with specific requests. You can create your profile on one or more of these platforms.

Repairman – Jack Of All Trades Master Of None

Having unique skills is not enough to make it in the handyman business. You’ll need to have other skills, including being a good receptionist or bookkeeper, Computer whiz, paralegal, etc. Since most handypersons work solo, your company may not bring in enough to hire more than one employee. So you must possess additional skills or be prepared to pay out for employees.

Handyman Job Description

Skilled craftsmen often won’t want to service handyman projects because they may be too unprofitable. This is where the handyman comes in. A handyman makes these small tasks his specialty! A Handyman usually does the following repairs:

Carpentry
Deck Construction
Deck repair
Demolition
Drywall repair
Electrical wiring
Home Appliance Repairers repair (e.g., repair washer, dryer, fridge, oven
Flooring
Gutter repair and cleaning
Install gas or electric household appliances
Installing windows and doors
Insulation
Lawn care
Painting
Renovation
Tile installation
Fix a leaky faucet or unclog a toilet
Repairing a defective shutter or garage door
Assemble a piece of furniture
Take care of a garden
Change bulbs, a faucet, a hot plate

Qualified Repairman

One of the keys to being a successful handyman is knowing when to call it quits. If you do not know how to fix something or have never encountered such a problem, be honest with the homeowner and recommend someone else. If you undertake a job you have no clue about and mess it up, the owner will be very unhappy. In today’s business world, any negative reviews can spread like wildfire. If you are honest with the owner and tell them you can’t fix it, your clients will appreciate your honesty.

Create A Handyman Contract

Try out some of these “free” contract template websites

Handyman Advice

While you will handle most jobs independently, you may sometimes need assistance from a colleague. Keep a list of other skilled tradespeople you can rely upon for backup. Plus, if you ever go on vacation or fall sick, these colleagues can continue running your business until you return.

My Handyman Pricing?

Although holding self-employed status allows you significant flexibility in your accounts’ management, defining your operating costs clearly and having a price list that reflects your pricing remains crucial.

Know the local market and the best sources for tools and supplies in your local area.
Time management.
Consider all costs.
Evaluate your investment costs (equipment, tools, utility vehicle, etc.).
You can opt for hourly pricing or task or per-contract pricing.

Handyman Hourly Rate

In general, handypersons usually charge per hour rather than per service. The cost of handyman services per hour varies from $45-$70. However, knowing how long it will take you to complete a job is crucial. Clients will want a good idea of the time to completion. If the job is too big, then set a flat rate. To get an idea about pricing, see what other handymen are charging for their services and set up similar pricing.

What Are Some Standard Handyman Tools? – Handyman Hardware

Here’s a list of some supply companies

And some tool supply

Here is a list of some popular hand tools:

Pliers,
Hammer,
Chisels,
Screwdrivers,
Squares,
Vice grips,
Files,
Wrenches,
Allen wrenches,
Tin snips,
Paint scrapers,
Screws,
Nails,
Wire nuts,
Drywall inserts
Painting Supplies: Brushes, oils, Rulers, levels, jigsaws, mallets, chisels, glue, precision tools, staple gun

Lawn & Garden Related Equipment:

Rakes
Shovel
Trimmer
Lawnmower
Posthole
Digger
Fertilizer

Cleaning Equipment

Vacuum,
Mops,
Broom,
Cleaning detergent,
Garbage collector,
Industrial wipes

Other Tools

An assortment of sizes of screws and nails
Clamps: The C-clamp is often considered the most versatile and cost-effective clamp for steel and wood. Make sure to grab multiple sizes.
Cordless circular saw
Cordless drill
Electrical tester
Hammer
Ladder with extension
Level
Locking toolbox
Pliers
Saws
Safety equipment includes a hard hat, safety goggles, knee pads, gloves, and a dust mask
Screwdrivers
Storage cabinet
Tape measure
Utility knife

Plumbing Toolbox

Crimping tools
Pipe cutters
Wrenches
Pipe tapping tools
Flaring tool kit
Gasket cutter
Ratcheting pipe
Threading set
Faucet handles
Fire extinguisher
Sink plungers
Handle puller
Sink plungers

Try Renting Handyman Tools

A handyman usually requires a large number of tools and appliances. All these tools can be costly if you’re buying them all simultaneously. If money is limited, then you may want to rent the tools. The key advantages of renting are that the overhead is low, you can replace damaged tools anytime, and you are continually acquiring state-of-the-art tools.

Conclusion

Being a successful handyman requires skill, but the individual must perform multiple tasks, including being a good communicator. The job will bring in a decent income for those who remain persistent and dedicated and offer flexibility and passion.