Starting your own handyman (or handyperson) business is a great way to be your own boss, help your customers, and make some money doing work you enjoy. Here’s a guide to help you get started.
Decide what services you’ll offer
When beginning a handyman business, one of the first things you should decide is what services you’ll offer. There are a variety of tasks that fall under this general category, from simple home repairs to full-scale remodeling projects. Some of the most common services include:
- Carpentry and woodworking: Whether it’s installing crown molding or building custom furniture, this is one of the most in-demand handyman services.
- Painting and staining: From applying paint to walls and trim to resurfacing wooden decks, there are endless opportunities to bring new life to homes and buildings through painting and staining.
- Simple plumbing repairs: Clogged drains, leaky faucets, running toilets – these are some of the most common plumbing problems that homeowners face.
- Special skills: Do you know how to install windows? Repair concrete sidewalks? Build a deck? Lay carpet and flooring? Tuckpoint brick? Set yourself apart from your competition by focusing on your unique skillset.
Create a business plan and get funding
To start a successful business, you must begin with a solid business plan.
This plan doesn’t have to be a formal document and doesn’t need to follow any specific format. Whether you handwrite it in a notebook, collect it in a binder, or create a document on your computer doesn’t matter. The important thing is to spend time thinking through your business idea, startup costs, marketing, and pricing strategy.
Your plan should include an overview of your business idea, along with a marketing strategy and detailed financial projections of your possible income and expenses. Don’t worry if you don’t know how to create financial projections — everyone is guessing when they do this part. But if you know someone experienced in accounting or running a small business, you might ask them to look over your numbers.
Once your business plan is complete, the next step is to start looking for funding. Some good funding sources include your own savings, friends and family members, crowdfunding platforms, and SBA loans through local banks.
The nice thing about a handyman business is that, if you don’t have a lot of startup capital, you can start small as a side hustle and keep working a part-time or full-time job while you grow the business.
Purchase the necessary tools and equipment
To start a successful handyman business, you will need to collect the necessary tools and equipment. This includes everything from trucks and ladders to drills, hammers, and saws. You probably already own some of these items. You can keep your startup costs low by working with your existing tools and adding new ones as you need them for jobs.
Your most significant expense will likely be a vehicle suitable for hauling building materials. If you don’t already have a pickup truck or van, you might trade in your car or lease a work vehicle. Perhaps you’re starting your business as a side hustle, then consider renting a truck only on days you have jobs until your workflow becomes more steady. If you’re thinking of starting bigger, with multiple employees, you can negotiate for a reasonable price by buying multiple vehicles at once.
Find the right software
Field service software is designed specifically for businesses that visit client locations — like your handyman business. ServiceWorks is a cloud-based platform that can run all the back-office operations of your business. It’s affordable enough for a one-person business but has features that can scale and help you manage a crew as you grow.
ServiceWorks lets your customers schedule services online, then handles job scheduling, invoicing, inventory, and customer tracking for you. The software even enables you to accept credit card payments.
As you grow, the platform’s GPS tracking capabilities help you track your employees and ensure they complete jobs efficiently. Best of all, you can try ServiceWorks free for two weeks, with no credit card necessary.
Get insurance and licenses
If you’re thinking about starting a handyman business, one of the first things you need to do is get insurance and the necessary licenses. This is important for several reasons, including protecting your customers from accidents and safeguarding yourself against any liability issues that may arise. The licensing requirements will vary depending on where you live, so it’s best to start by checking with your local authorities to find out what you need to do.
Once you have the proper insurance and licenses, you can build your business and grow your client base. This can involve marketing your services through various channels, such as social media or flyers distributed at local businesses and community centers. No matter how you go about it, just make sure that you stay up-to-date on all current regulatory requirements, as they may evolve over time. With some hard work and persistence, there’s no doubt that you will be successful in starting your own handyman business!
Market your business locally
When starting your own business, it is crucial to think strategically about how you will market and promote yourself. Local marketing efforts are the best way to reach potential customers for many local businesses. This can include placing ads in local newspapers or flyers on community bulletin boards and networking with other local real estate investors and property managers. In particular, a handyman business will benefit from building a reputation for dependability and quality workmanship in your local community. Whether you start by offering free consultations to help identify areas of need or by partnering with other businesses, establishing trust and credibility with potential customers can go a long way in helping your business thrive. So start marketing your handyman business today – and watch it take off!
Start building a client base
If you’re looking to start your own business as a home repair or construction professional, one of the first things that you need to do is start building your client base. Of course, this can be easier said than done, especially if you are new to the field and have yet to establish a reputation for yourself. However, there are a few key strategies that you can employ to start gaining more clients and expanding your reach.
The first thing that you should consider is networking with professionals in your field. Building relationships with other people who manage apartment buildings or invest in real estate can open up new opportunities and help to get your name out there. Start by attending a local home show and handing out flyers to the exhibitors.
Another great tactic is to focus on local online marketing and social media. Posting content on sites like Instagram or Facebook that showcases your expertise and highlights your skills can help boost your visibility and attract potential clients. Also, list yourself on websites and apps people use to hire local services. For example:
Also, make sure to claim your listings on Google My Business and Yelp.
Summing up
If you’re thinking about starting a handyman business, there are a few key steps that will get you started on the right foot. First, decide what services you want to offer and create a business plan.
Next, raise the necessary funds and purchase the essential tools and equipment. Meanwhile, find reliable software to help run your business smoothly – ServiceWorks is an excellent option that you can try for free.
Finally, remember to get insured and licensed as required by law. When all that is in place, start marketing your business locally so you can begin building up a client base.
If you follow these simple steps, you’ll be running a successful handyman business before long!
