If you’re looking for a way to become self employed, being a handyman could be just the ticket! I LOVE house projects and the thought of doing it for a living sounds incredible. But just how do you make money as a handyman? That’s the question we’ll explore today.
There are handymen out there who have become completely self employed in as little as 6 months…IF done correctly and with a solid business plan.
Being self employed as a handyman offers:
- Variety – working on a variety of projects with a lot of different people.
- Independence – YOU decide when to work and what jobs you’ll take.
- Flexibility – YOU decide what hour to work each week and how to acquire your customers.
Types Of Handyman Jobs
The types of work that you can be hired out for is nearly limitless! There are literally hundreds of jobs or services you could do – just get creative! Wikipedia lists dozens of options and I’ve added a few more below…
- Carpenter
- Plumber
- Sheetrock installer
- Finish Carpenter
- Auto Mechanic
- Small engine repair
- Appliance repair
- Landcaping
- Lawn care
- Deck builder
- Fence Builder
- Junk Hauler
- Pool cleaning
- Concrete repair
- Roofing install/repair
- Chimney installation/repair/sweep
- Demolition and clean up
- Carpet layer
- Hardwood floor installation
- House cleaner
- House painter
- Weatherproofing houses
- Gutter cleaning/repair
- Leaf removal
- Snow removal
- tow service
- furniture repair
- building furniture
- counter top refinishing
- bathroom remodels
- kitchen remodels
- garage conversions
- shop organizer
- home muck out service
- brick layer
- tractor work – leveling dirt, grading driveways
- home inspector
- tree feller
- welder
This is not a complete list, but you get the idea – there are TONS of options!
And you don’t have to commit to any ONE of the above, take on as many as you feel you can handle to increase the amount of work coming in.
How Much Do I Charge?
Since it’s your business, you can charge as much as you like but it would be smart to call other handymen on Craigslist, Nextdoor, or the Classifieds to get a better idea.
Also, decide whether to charge by the hour or by the job – There are pros/cons to both sides of the coin here – when you’re first getting started in your chosen field, it may take longer to get the jobs done.
So it may benefit the customer (and you, in the long run) to charge by the job since you don’t want to upset your customers by taking too much time…but again – opinions vary on this! Do your research and decide what works best for you.
What Is Needed To Get Started?
This will depend on what the focus of your business is – whether you want to tackle any or all handyman projects or specialize in one area (i.e. carpentry, plumbing, electrical, tractor work, hauling, landscaping etc.).
A background in the skilled trades is hugely helpful to get a clear understanding of how to really do the work professionally and with competence.
However, many people have started successful handyman businesses with little experience – just an enthusiasm for the work and an intense desire to make a living on their own. Awesome! You can learn a lot from the internet, Youtube videos and the like.
Once you’ve decided what you want to focus on, make a list of what you’ll need. This will be based largely on what type of work you choose.
So, for example, if your focus is primarily on carpentry you’ll need all your wood working tools i.e. saws, hammers, square etc.
But if you want to take on a more generalized handyman business, you’ll need a broader assortment of tools for all kinds of jobs.
TIPS
- Try to use as many of the basic tools you already own vs spending loads of money on new ones to cut back on start up costs. For example if you want to focus on carpentry, try to use your own tools if you can, and save your money for bigger or better tools down the road when your business gains momentum.
- See if you need to be licensed, insured, or bonded in the line of work you’re choosing before starting out on your own. Check with an attorney or your local county to make sure – better safe than sorry!
- Check with an Accountant about tax implications – determine what can be done to hold on to as much of your hard earned money as possible without giving it all to Uncle Sam!
How To Market Your Handyman Business
WORD OF MOUTH – this is still an incredible way to market your new business. Your friends, family, and customers will get you the most solid referrals
CRAIGSLIST– this is still an effective way to market yourself, but there are plenty of seedy characters that have used CL before, so potential customers may be a bit wary. Just make sure you are representing yourself honestly! It would also help to have a few references – this can put customers minds at ease.
NEXTDOOR – Similar to Craigslist but targets customers more local to you.
OPEN A FACEBOOK PAGE – and promote your new business.
JOIN AND PARTICIPATE IN FORUMS relevant to your particular business and leave a link to your business.
GET MORE RESOURCES – Handyman Startup is the MOST comprehensive resource on the web for growing your handyman business…hands down! Give it a look.
CHECK WITH LOCAL RENTAL COMPANIES – See if they need a handyman for their properties.
BUILD A WEBSITE – Having an online presence is key in today’s business world, and building a website is not as scary at it used to be!
SiteRubix is the website hosting company I use and highly recommend. They offer two FREE websites to get you started. And they also provide ready made templates that work great so you won’t have to mess with knowing HTML code to get it up and running.
If you have a domain name in mind, see if it’s available below:
GET SUPPORT FROM FELLOW BUSINESS OWNERS
As in any business, it can be beneficial to tap into the minds of other business owners, some who have been at it for a long time!
There is a HUGE community of like minded entrepreneurs like yourself who are willing and and ready to help you with any issues related to website design and how to promote your business online. It’s proven invaluable to me in my business! Learn more about it here!
Should I Start Part Time Or Go Full Speed Ahead?
Again, this depends on your comfort level and the state of your finances! If you have some money saved up to pay your rent, mortgage, food etc., and you are very confident about your market, going full time may be fine…
But it may be smarter to start in your spare time at first to get a feel of what it’s like working with customers and to make sure you’re generating enough business to make a go of it full time!
Closing Thoughts
I hope I’ve been able to answer a few questions about starting your own handyman business! It can be a rewarding way to make an incredible living.
If you have any questions about starting your business, leave a comment below. I’d love to help in any way I can!
If you are interested in other topics related to self employment, check out the rest of my site . Thanks for stopping by!
