I was a handyman for many years, so I have real-life experience to give you some first-hand knowledge to answer this question. I owned a renovation company and some jobs were bigger reno type jobs like developing basements or gutting and redoing bathrooms. I also did a ton of jobs that would be classified as handyman work. Jobs such as changing a toilet, installing a new door, or patching a whole in a wall. I know whether being a handyman is a good idea or not, believe me!
Being a handyman can be a very fulfilling job financially and mentally. You can easily make a living as a handyman. The satisfaction and pride you get from helping others with their projects and seeing projects come to fruition is second to none.
As much as I enjoyed being a handyman, it came with its own set of challenges. Sure, you can make a lot of money, but you are going to have to work for it. In this article, I will try to cover everything I can think of (good and bad) so you can make the right decision for you.
Let us get right to it, shall we?
You Can Make a Lot of Money Being a Handyman
Being a handyman can be a well-paid job. You can make a ton of cash. It just depends on how bad you want it. The first piece of advice I will give you is to be fair with your hourly rate but do not sell yourself short. Consider your costs as well as what other handymen in your area are charging. Be fair but also competitive.
- When charging for your work, make sure to include gas consumption and whatever else you are paying for out of pocket to get the job done. It might be a percentage for each job like I used to do. I would add 10% to my quote for these things.
- Knowing what other tradesmen in your area charge is one of the best things you can do to get your business off the ground. Even specific trades like plumbing or electricians. Knowing what their hourly rates are helps you make sure you are not higher than their rates.
I would recommend being about 25% lower than those trades, at minimum. You can adjust further as you get deeper into the business. Regarding other handymen, I would never quote higher, unless it is someone charging only $15 or $20 an hour, which is probably not enough to live on. If you want to be taken seriously, you need to charge accordingly but not over charge.
Hustling for Work is Not an Option
When you first get started you will have to hustle for jobs. Unless you already have a large social circle and are known for being the guy/girl that can fix or build just about anything, it will take some hard work to get established.
Thankfully in this day, and age, with the internet, it is easier than ever for customers to find you. The downside of that is they will also find other handymen looking for work. I think you can expect to be hustling hard for 6 months to a year before you start getting referrals.
Get Your Accounting Process Figured Out Immediately
I am assuming you will be claiming your earnings when tax season comes around. This means you will have some accounting to do. At first you might not be able to afford an accountant, but you still might need to hire one, just to get your book set up so you know what you should be tracking.
I recommend setting a schedule up where you sit once a week or every two weeks to enter your receipts and bills wherever you are going to track them. You will thank me come tax season.
Make Sure You Know the Work You are Quoting On
Know what you are getting into. When quoting jobs, make sure not to take on work you have no clue on doing. When you come across a job you are not able to do, consider adding that into your quote to the customer so you can hire it out.
At minimum, finding some other tradesmen to do the work separate from your quote is also a good option. This increases your value if people know you can hook them up with different trades. It also helps you build relationships with other tradesmen and down the road, they will give your name out to customers.
Jobs Usually Take Longer Than You Think
Jobs will take longer than expected, in most cases. You may be lucky and are able to over quote on time and the job will get done when it should. Most handymen I know cut themselves short for time when quoting on jobs.
It is the nature of the business now because you must really streamline your expected hours and materials to ensure you get most of the work you quote on. Jobs will not go the way expected nine times out of ten and that is just the way it goes with this type of work.
Sometimes Collecting Payment Is Not Easy
Some customers take forever to pay or challenge your payment after the job is done. Luckily, I did not run into this problem very often, but I do have some experience with this. If I do not ask for a deposit up front, I make sure the customer understands that payment is required as soon as the job is completed.
I always made sure to finish jobs when the customer was at home unless they left me a cheque already. You must be clear on your expectations or some customers will jerk you around.
Having a Reliable Vehicle is a Must
Having a reliable vehicle, is obvious, right? I hope so. I used to have a big Ford Econoline with racking and lots of room in between for materials. I also always had a pick-up truck just in case. Make sure you keep your vehicles properly maintained. You do not want to be in the middle of a big job and have your vehicle stop running.
You Need to Be Flexible to Succeed as a Handyman
You should have a flexible schedule to accommodate your customers schedule, when at all possible. It will ensure you get and keep the job. Sometimes you might need to work evenings or weekends as people are not home during the weekdays and they might not trust a stranger in their house alone.
That is their prerogative, and rightfully so. Some jobs might take 12 hours instead of the 7 hours you expected. Just, be flexible.
Focus on Specific Trades at First and You Will Enjoy It More
Focus on a specific trade when you first get started. If you are okay with doing this, I promise you it will be less stressful, and chances are you will get more work because of it. Regarding stress on the job, I remember performing multiple trades and having to own all the different tools. It was quite stressful having to put on different hats throughout the day at a large job. Carrying different tools in and out and so on. Unless you have a crew, then maybe it would not be a problem.
I would still recommend you limit the trades you offer your services for when you first get started. As your business grows you can offer to do more of the trades.
Take the Small Jobs
Taking as many small jobs you can at first, even if you feel they are not worth your time, will guarantee your handyman businesses success. Most larger companies do not want the small jobs because they do not pay enough. These jobs pay well when you are only a one- or two-person handyman business. They also get your name out there while you are working with the public and meeting people. Do a great job and those people will consider you for larger jobs down the road and will recommend you to others.
Being a Handyman Can Be a Feel-Good Job
Being a handyman can make you feel good about yourself. You get to help people in need while earning an income. Customers will appreciate you when you leave them with a completed job and charge them a fair price. In the process, your reputation as a good handyman will spread like wildfire over time. If you are okay with that, then being a handyman could be a great job for you!
Final Thoughts
I wrote this article to provide you with information on the different aspects of running your own handyman business and what you might expect. I feel that if you are aware of these things up front, it will help you decide whether being a handyman is a good fit for you or not.
Honestly, if you have any skills in the trades you can easily carve out a niche handyman business for yourself, and yes being a handyman is a good job.
I hope this article has been of help to you. Thanks for reading and good luck with your future business prospects!
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