If you are reading this, then you are probably on the lookout for ideas on which profitable business you should choose to start first. In this modern day and age, there are plenty of business opportunities just waiting to be seized. There are many things to consider before you can evaluate a certain business option, some of them being: supply and demand, location, budget, potential earnings, and etc. The handyman profession in particular is one of vital importance and great responsibility because it caters to one of the 5 basic human needs – shelter, the others being air, food and water, clothing, and sleep. Having a healthy home environment is thus imperative to one’s survival.
If that argument alone doesn’t convince you enough to start your own handyman business, then the following 7 reasons will surely do.
Being a handyman can be a full-time job!
If fixing broken stuff or building things from scratch is something you find enjoyable to do in your spare time, then handyman is your true vocation. The only difference here is that you will be doing repair and installation jobs for others and thus earn a considerable sum in the process.
There is definitely a diversity to be had, since you will surely service different properties and take care for wide array of tasks. Each building, be it house, flat, or an office, consists of various rooms and empty spaces, each serving a different purpose and thus require different kind of maintenance. There’s always room for improvement and developing new talents, so don’t expect to get bored anytime soon.
Costs are low, especially if you already have the tools and equipment
Apart from being experienced and ambitious in doing what you do, all you’ll need to set up a handyman business is a vehicle (preferably a minivan), a reasonable number of tools (available at your local hardware store), and a bit of leftover money to cover necessary startup costs. An example list of regular tools will look something like this:
Drill and impact driver combo kit;
Circular saw;
Wet/dry vacuum;
Angle grinder;
Oscillating multi-tool;
Reciprocating saw;
And more.
When it comes to obtaining a proper vehicle, you have three options: you can either use the one you already have, rent one out, or buy used. Other unavoidable expenses include:
Business license;
Bank account;
Accounting;
Uniforms and other branding essentials;
Insurance;
Advertising.
You can offer handyman services as a part-time job
If a professional handyman is not the career you’d like to pursue your whole life, you can use it as a side hustle to earn a little extra in your spare time. For your convenience, you could limit your service to your local area and take as many jobs as you feel like doing for a given period of time.
You can become proficient in one specific field of the handyman trade
A typical handyman can execute a wide variety of small, medium, and large repair, installation, and assembly jobs. Depending on your current skills and preferences, you can choose to specialize in any given one of those fields, for example in:
Plumbing (repairs, installations);
Carpentry (flooring, fitting);
Refurbishment;
Builders jobs;
Electrical;
Assembly services;
Painting, decorating, wallpapering;
Other highly specific areas like treating mold damage, damp insulation, gas & boiler and etc.
Lacking certain knowledge or skill? Gain more confidence by completing City & Guilds training courses and acquire a certificate!
Of course, specializing in one particular area doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t do other jobs as well. After all, your scope of services can be as broad or as narrow as you want it to be. If you are feeling overworked or lack confidence in doing some of the procedures, you can always learn new skills later that you can then add to your portfolio.
You can earn a decent living
Since setting up your own handyman business means you get to be your own boss, you decide how many work hours you want to fill in your schedule. However, quantity does not always equal quality. It all comes down to how well you are able to perform your clients’ job requests. Make them happy and you will be sure to enjoy a bigger bank balance.
Soon enough, you will make a name for yourself on the market and you will be able to allow the luxury of setting your personal price tags. Specializing in a particular handyman area, for example plumbing, can speed up this process a lot, and you could become a true professional in your field sooner than you think. There are two main payment methods to choose from when it comes to this profession, which are:
Hourly rates – charge by the hour;
Price per job – fixed, individual price for each job.
You can do it the franchising way
There are a lot of home improvement companies out there and the competition in the UK market alone is absolutely fierce. This is why it might be a good idea to consider joining an already established handyman business brand as a franchise partner.
Starting out as a company franchisee is a good way to earn experience a lot faster and to meet your target clientele in person. You’ll be introduced to industry-specific ethics, know-how, tools and equipment, and even have the opportunity to grow your business to the point where you are given your very own team of tradesmen.
Different companies have different franchise package options and fees but, with Fantastic Services, you can start your own handyman franchise business with minimum investment.
Marketing is all about being a good handyman
With the handyman profession, spending too much money on marketing is not necessary. If you are good at what you do and your customers are satisfied with your job, then word of mouth is your most powerful marketing tool. Make sure you have a stack of business cards and flyers to hand out to your customers at the end of each job.
Of course, online presence in the 21st century is crucial for the success of any business. A website and a couple of social media channels are an absolute must, since they will allow you to stay connected with your clients, help you share your latest projects, inform you about recent news, etc.
