There are a lot of benefits to becoming a handyman. Not only is it a great way to make a living, but it can also be very rewarding. However, there are also some drawbacks that you need to be aware of before starting your own handyman business.
In this blog post, we list (below) the Top 15 pros and 10 cons of becoming a handyman so that you can make an informed decision about whether or not this is the right career for you!
Benefits of Being a Handyman
One of the compelling benefits of being a handyman is having more flexibility in scheduling when, and where, they want to work. They can take on projects when needed, which means they don’t need to be tied down by specific working hours like most people. This allows freedom for an ideal work-life balance.
Also, financially, starting a handyman business can be a great way to make a living. If you are good at what you do, then you can charge customers for your services and make a decent income.
So grab your tool belt, and let’s get into it!
Top 15 Benefits of A Handyman Business
- You can be your boss and set your hours.
- You can choose which jobs to take and which to decline.
- Handyman work is usually relatively easy to learn and doesn’t require any formal education or training.
- You can start your business with little to no startup capital.
- There are low overhead costs associated with running a handyman business.
- You can choose to specialize in a particular area of handyman work or keep your skillset diverse.
- You can work locally or expand your business to serve multiple locations.
- As a handyman, you have the potential to earn a good income.
- You may be able to write off the cost of tools, travel expenses, and auto expenses.
- You can take pride in knowing that you’ve helped people by solving their problems and making their lives easier.
- As long as you do good work, word-of-mouth and referrals can keep you busy without having to advertise.
- You can provide a full range of services from residential to commercial.
- You are not limited by seasonality as some businesses are.
- You can choose to work as a sub-trade for contractors looking for your specialized skills
- Handyman services cover a wide range of services so you can enjoy the diversity of working on a variety of projects vs. doing repetitive jobs each day.
10 Things You Should Be Aware of with A Handyman Service Business
Cons:
- You may have to work long hours, evenings, and weekends.
- You may have to work in difficult or uncomfortable conditions.
- You may have to do some physical labor.
- There is a risk of injury when working with tools and working at high heights.
- You may need to invest in expensive tools for certain projects.
- You may have to travel long distances to job sites (but you can/should charge for travel time).
- You’re not going to have a problem with every customer, but you’ll come across those who are less than happy.
- You will need to get good at estimating how long projects will take so you don’t lose money. You need to be realistic.
- If you don’t identify the scope of work with your customers in writing, you run the risk of doing “extras” that can eat into your time and profit.
- You need to purchase liability insurance to protect yourself.
Be careful not to take on jobs that may be too challenging for you. If you bite off more than you can chew and end up doing a poor job, it could damage your reputation and cost you future business. Always make sure that you are honest about your skillset and only take on jobs that you know you can handle.
FAQs
Are Handyman Services Competitive?
There are a lot of handymen out there vying for customers, so you will need to make sure that you stand out from the crowd. One of the best ways to stand out is by presenting yourself as a professional business, with a good reputation.
Here at Today’s Cottage Living, we’ve been exposed to many contractors and handyman service providers and the ones that have stood out have provided professional-looking proposals in writing that clearly outline the scope of work as discussed.
With today’s free software programs like Microsoft Word and Excel, creating a professional proposal does not have to cost anything and can be generated in no time.
Is it worthwhile joining the Association of Certified Handyman Professionals?
Being a part of the Association of Certified Handyman Professionals (ACHP) has its benefits. For one, it gives handymen a chance to network with other professionals in the field. This can lead to referrals and repeat business.
In addition, the ACHP provides training and resources that can help handymen improve their skills and knowledge. And, perhaps most importantly, being a part of the ACHP gives handymen a sense of legitimacy and professionalism that can help them succeed in the business world.
How much money can I make as a handyman?
This is a difficult question to answer because there are so many variables. The type of work you do, the region you live in, your experience, and whether you work for yourself or for a company all play a role in how much money you can make.
In general, handymen who work for themselves can expect to earn between $30 and $100 per hour. Of course, this will vary depending on the type of work you do and the region you live in.
What skills are needed to become a handyman?
While some handymen are born with a natural talent for fixing things, most acquire the skills they need through experience and education.
Some of the skills that you will need to be a successful handyman include:
- Basic carpentry skills
- Basic plumbing skills
- Basic electrical knowledge
- The ability to use common hand and power tools
- The ability to read and follow instructions
- The ability to troubleshoot and problem solve
- The ability to communicate with customers
Check out this post to see a waterfront deck handyman project recently completed by one of Today’s Cottage Living members.
If you are considering becoming a handyman, make sure that you have the skills and experience necessary to be successful. While being a handyman can be a rewarding career, it is not for everyone.
How do I start my own handyman business?
If you have decided that you want to start your own handyman business, there are a few things you need to do to get started.
First, you need to obtain the necessary licenses and permits. This will vary depending on your location, but you will likely need a general business license as well as any specific licenses that are required for the type of work you will be doing.
Next, you need to purchase insurance. This is important because it will protect you if something goes wrong while you are working.
Finally, you should consider developing a marketing plan. At the very least you need to let people know that you exist and that you are ready to help them with their handyman needs. One of the best ways to do this is by creating a website and using social media to spread the word.
You can also hand out business cards and flyers in your local community.
Becoming a handyman can be a great way to earn a living, but it is important that you do your research before getting started. Make sure you are aware of the pros and cons of starting your own business and that you have the skills and experience necessary to be successful.
Once you have all of this figured out, you can start your own handyman business with confidence!
Summary
So, there you have it! The pros and cons of starting a handyman business. Weigh the benefits and drawbacks carefully before making your decision. And if you do decide to become a handyman, be sure to follow all the necessary safety precautions to avoid injury.
Thank you for sharing your time with us at Today’s Cottage Living!
Disclosure: TodaysCottageLiving.com participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for publishers to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
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