How To Start a Handyman Business – 13+ Easy Steps

Hey there,

If you were wondering …

How to start a Handyman Business?

You are in the right place.

This blog post will cover the basics of starting a handyman business, from creating a business plan to marketing your services.

We’ll also share tips on how to build a strong reputation and stand out from the competition. So, let’s get started on turning your handyman hobby into a business.

What Is a Handyman Business? 

What Is a Handyman Business? A Handyman Business is a type of business that provides a wide range of services to customers needing repair, maintenance, and renovation work. These services include minor home repairs to more complex projects like remodeling and construction.

Handymen are skilled in various trades, such as carpentry, plumbing, electrical work, and more, allowing them to tackle many projects. This is why a handyman business can be an excellent choice for someone who is handy with tools and enjoys working with their hands. It’s also a great way to turn your skills into a career and be your boss.

Starting a handyman business can be challenging, but with the proper knowledge and experience, it can be a very profitable venture. It’s a great way to make money while doing what you love.

How to Start a Handyman Business: a Step-by-Step Guide

Ready to Turn Your Handy Skills into a Business? Check out Our Step-by-step Guide on Creating a Successful Handyman Business.

1 – Develop a Business Plan

A business plan describes your company’s objectives, target market, and financial predictions. It acts as a road plan for your company and will keep you on course as you advance.

It would help to start by identifying your target market when creating your business plan. Who are the customers you want to reach? What are their needs and pain points? Understanding your target market is essential for creating a successful marketing strategy.

Next, you should establish your business goals. What do you want to achieve with your business? Are you looking to make a certain amount of money? Do you want to grow your business over time? Setting clear and measurable goals will help you stay focused and motivated.

Finally, it would be best to create financial projections for your business. How much money do you need to start your business? How much will you need to cover your expenses? How much will you need to pay yourself? Having a solid financial plan in place will help you manage your money and make better decisions for your business.

Overall, developing a business plan is an essential step in starting a handyman’s business. It will provide you with a clear direction and help you stay on track as you move forward.

2 – Determine Your Services

As a handyman, you will likely have a wide range of skills and expertise, but it’s essential to focus on the services you enjoy and is good at.

When determining your services, you should consider the types of projects you are comfortable working on and the tools and equipment you have. Some standard handyman services include:

• Minor home repairs include fixing leaks, replacing light fixtures, and painting.
• Basic carpentry work includes building decks, installing shelves, and hanging doors.
• Basic electrical work, such as changing light fixtures and installing new outlets.
• Basic plumbing work includes fixing leaks, unclogging drains, and installing new faucets.
• Yard work such as mowing, trimming, and landscaping.

It’s also a good idea to research what services are in high demand in your area. This will help you to determine which services to focus on and which ones to avoid.

Another thing to consider is the pricing for each service. You should research the going rates for handyman services in your area and set your prices accordingly. Remember to consider your overhead costs, such as tools, equipment, and insurance, when selecting your prices.

3 – Obtain Necessary Licenses and Insurance

The type of licenses and insurance you need will vary depending on the state and local regulations where you operate. However, some of the most common charges and insurance required for handyman businesses include the following:

• Business license: In most states, you must obtain a business license to operate a handyman business legally. This license is typically issued by the city or county where you work.
• Contractor’s license: Depending on the state, you may require a contractor’s license to perform certain types of work. The state or local licensing board typically issues this license.
• General liability insurance: This type of insurance protects you against claims of property damage or bodily injury that may occur due to your business operations.
• Workers’ compensation insurance: Employees who sustain injuries or illnesses at work are compensated by this insurance.
• Automobile insurance: If you use a vehicle for your business, you need automobile insurance.

It’s important to note that the required licenses and insurance for a handyman business may vary depending on your state or the local area, so it’s recommended to check with your local government to find out what is required for your business.

4 – Set Up Your Business Structure

To begin your own Handyman Business, you must determine which business structure works best. There are several different business structures to choose from when starting a handyman business, including:

A sole proprietorship is a handyman business’s most straightforward and standard business structure. As a sole proprietor, you own and operate the business and are personally liable for any debts or legal judgments against the business.

Partnership: In a partnership, two or more individuals own and operate the business together. Each partner is personally liable for any debts or legal judgments against the business.

When choosing a business structure, it’s essential to consider the potential personal liability, tax obligations, and ease of management. It’s recommended to consult with an attorney or accountant to help you determine the best structure for your business.

5 – Create a Brand

Branding is creating a name, logo, and image for your business that will be used to identify and differentiate it from your competitors.

A strong brand will help you to establish credibility and trust with your customers, which is essential for building a successful business.

When creating your brand, you should choose a name for your business. This name should be easy to remember and easy to spell, and it should be relevant to your business.

Next, you should create a logo that will be used to identify your business. This logo should be simple, memorable, and easy to reproduce. It should also be relevant to your business and should be easily recognizable.

Finally, you should create a website for your business. This website should be well-designed and easy to navigate and read. It should also be optimized for search engines so potential customers can easily find your business.

Your website should include a portfolio of your work, services, and prices.

6 – Build a Website

A website is a powerful marketing tool that can help you to attract new customers and promote your business.

When building your website, you should start by choosing a domain name. This is the address of your website, and it should be easy to remember and relevant to your business.

Next, you should choose a web hosting provider. This company will host your website and make it accessible to the internet.

Then, you should design your website. You can use a website builder or a web designer to create a professional-looking website that is easy to navigate and read.

Your website should include a portfolio of your work, services, and prices. It should also include your contact information and a form for customers to contact you.

For potential clients to locate your business, you must also ensure that your website is optimized for search engines. Making your website more visible on search engines is a search engine optimization or SEO practice.

Finally, you should promote your website by sharing the link on social media platforms and emailing it to your friends and family.

7 – Establish a Pricing Structure.

When establishing your pricing structure, you should start by researching the going rates for handyman services in your area. This will give you an idea of what you should charge for your assistance.

Next, consider your overhead costs, such as tools, equipment, and insurance. These costs should be included in your pricing so that you can cover them and make a profit.

It would be best to consider your time and expertise when setting your prices. You can charge more for your services if you have more experience or skills.

It’s also a good idea to offer different service pricing options. For example, you could charge a flat rate for a simple repair and an hourly rate for more complex projects.

It would be best if you also considered the pricing for your services concerning your target market. If you target high-end clients, you can charge more than lower-end clients.

Finally, it would be best if you were prepared to negotiate prices with customers. You may need to adjust your prices to meet their budget or to win a contract.

8 – Develop Marketing Strategies

As a small business owner, you must focus on developing effective marketing strategies to reach potential customers and make them aware of your services. There are many different marketing strategies that you can use to promote your handyman business, including:

• Social media: You can use social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to promote your business and interact with your customers.
• Advertising: You can advertise your business in local newspapers, magazines, and online directories.
• Referral marketing: Encourage satisfied customers to refer their friends and family to your business.
• Content marketing: Create a blog or a video channel to share your expertise and promote your services.
• Email marketing: send newsletters, promotional emails, and special offers to your customers.

It’s important to note that the best marketing strategy for your handyman business will depend on your target market and your budget.

When developing your marketing strategies, you should also set specific goals and objectives that you want to achieve, such as increasing website traffic, generating leads, or increasing sales.

9 – Networking

Networking is vital to starting a successful handyman business. You need to reach out and make contacts within your local community and in other towns. Building a network of clients will help you get more jobs and spread the word about your services. 

Networking can help you to:

1. Build relationships with other handymen and tradespeople, which can lead to new business opportunities.
2. Connect with potential customers who may need your services.
3. Learn about new trends, techniques, and tools in your industry.
4. Get advice and support from other professionals.

There are many different ways to network, including:

Attending local networking events: Look for networking events in your area, such as chamber of commerce meetings, business expos, and industry conferences.

Joining professional organizations: Join professional organizations related to your industry, such as the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) or the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI).

Connecting with other professionals online: Join online forums or groups related to your industry and connect with other professionals.

Referring business to other professionals: Refer customers to other professionals when you can’t provide the service they need.

Building relationships with suppliers and vendors: Building relationships with suppliers and vendors can lead to new business opportunities.

Networking is an ongoing process, and it’s essential to keep building relationships and connecting with potential customers.

10 – Build a Portfolio

A portfolio is a collection of your work essential for promoting your business and attracting new customers. A group of your finest work, before-and-after pictures, client endorsements, and a summary of the services you provide should be included in your portfolio.

When building your portfolio, you should:

• Take high-quality photos of your work, including before and after photos.
• Include a variety of projects, such as home repairs, carpentry work, and landscaping.
• Include testimonials from satisfied customers.
• Keep your portfolio updated regularly.

When you meet potential customers, you can share your portfolio on your website, social media, or in person.

A strong portfolio will help you to establish credibility and trust with your customers. It will also help to demonstrate your skills and expertise and show potential customers what you can do for them.

11 – Create a Schedule

Once you better understand what type of handyman services you will offer, create and follow a schedule. It is crucial to stay organized and ensure that all appointments are on time when providing services as a handyman. 

When creating a schedule, you should:

• Plan your projects: This will help you stay organized and ensure you have enough time to complete each task.
• Prioritize your tasks: Make sure you tackle the most critical tasks first so you don’t get bogged down with less important tasks.
• Set realistic deadlines: Make sure you set deadlines that are realistic and that you can meet.
• Allow for flexibility: Keep in mind that things don’t always go as planned, so make sure you have some flexibility built into your schedule.

A schedule will help you to stay organized and ensure that you can meet your customers’ needs. It will also help you manage your time more effectively and ensure you can complete projects on time.

It’s essential to plan your projects, prioritize your tasks, set realistic deadlines, and allow for flexibility in your schedule. A schedule will help you to stay organized and manage your time more effectively, and make sure you can complete projects on time.

12 – Create a Budget

Formulating a budget is indispensable when launching a handyman business, allowing you to anticipate expenses such as tools and gear, start-up costs, and overhead fees.

When creating a budget, you should:

• List all of your expenses: This includes things like tools, equipment, insurance, and advertising costs.
• Estimate your income: Estimate how much money you expect to make from your business.
• Compare your income and expenses: Make sure your income is higher than your expenses to make a profit.
• Review your budget regularly: Review your budget regularly to make sure you’re on track and make adjustments as needed.

A budget will help you manage expenses and ensure your business is profitable. It will also help you make better financial decisions, such as investing in new equipment or hiring additional staff.

13 – Build a Good Team

A good team is essential for success in any business, and a Handyman business is no exception. Having reliable and skilled personnel can make or break the success of your venture. The key to finding good employees is to conduct thorough background checks and interviews to ensure they are qualified and have the right attitude.

When building a team, you should:

• Hire employees: Hire employees with the skills and experience you need to grow your business.
• Develop a training program: Develop a training program to help your employees learn the skills they need to do their jobs.
• Create a positive work environment: Create a positive work environment that encourages teamwork and collaboration.
• Set clear expectations and goals: Set clear expectations and goals for your employees so they know what is expected of them.
• Provide incentives and rewards: Provide incentives and tips for your employees, to motivate them to do their best work.

A team will help you grow your business and provide better customer service. It will also help you to manage your workload and complete projects on time.

It’s essential to hire employees with the skills and experience you need, develop a training program, create a positive work environment, set clear expectations and goals, and provide employee incentives and rewards.

Building a team will help you to manage your workload, complete projects on time, and ensure the long-term success of your handyman business.

14 – Track Your Expenses and Income

Once your handyman business is up and running, it is vital to track your expenses and income throughout the year. This will help you stay organized and on top of your finances. Keeping accurate records can also help when it comes time to file taxes at the end of the year. 

Depending on the size of your business, there are various ways to do this. You can use a spreadsheet or accounting software such as QuickBooks or Xero. If you have employees, you’ll need to pay payroll taxes and an accounting system to keep track of these payments each quarter. 

When tracking your expenses and income, you should:

• Keep accurate records: Keep correct logs of your expenses, such as tools, equipment, and advertising costs, and your income, such as customer payments.
• Use accounting software: Use accounting software to make it easier to track your expenses and income.
• Review your finances regularly: Review your finances regularly to ensure you’re on track and make adjustments as needed.
• Create a budget: Create a budget to manage your expenses and ensure that your business is profitable.

Tracking your expenses and income will help you manage your finances and ensure your business is profitable. It will also help you make better financial decisions, such as investing in new equipment or hiring additional staff.

Conclusion: How to start a Handyman Business 

Starting a handyman business can be challenging, but it can be a rewarding and profitable venture with the proper steps and strategies. By researching the market, developing a business plan, building a portfolio, creating a schedule, networking, and getting insurance, you can set your business up for success.

Additionally, by tracking your expenses and income, you can ensure that your business is profitable and make better financial decisions. The key is staying organized, focused on your goals, and ready to adapt and improve as you go along.

Starting a handyman business is not a one-time task; it’s an ongoing process that requires dedication, hard work, and patience. By following these steps and keeping the importance of flexibility and adaptability, you’ll be well on your way to building a successful handyman business.

SickofTheBoss.com is the brainchild of Jack Bastide. It is designed for entrepreneurs and those that want to be. You can find Jack on Facebook or Linked-In.