Are you handy with a hammer? Do you want to make a living from doing odd-jobs? Starting up your own handyman business is the perfect way to start a career doing what you’re good at. The economy is always changing, industries rise and fall, and companies go out of business. But people have always needed help when it comes to doing up their homes, fixing their pipes, and mending their cars. Being a self-employed jack-of-all-trades can be a reliable source of income with a whole range of benefits.
Being self-sufficient when it comes to changing your oil or mending a leaky tap is an increasingly rare skill. In the modern world, fewer and fewer people learn these once-essential skills and are increasingly relying on experts to help them out. Your gifts are in demand, so why not use them for financial reward while helping others along the way? And the best thing about being a professional odd-jobber is you are free to work your own hours, charge your own rates, and be your own boss.
If this sounds like the life for you, read on to find out the key steps to starting your own handyman business.
Get qualified
Being a professional handyman doesn’t strictly require any formal training other than the essential skills, but it can be beneficial to undergo some training courses and get professional qualifications. This will not only help you to stand out amongst your competitors but will also help you to improve your talents. The learning never stops.
Sort out the legal stuff
Before you can actually start offering your services to the public, there are a few technical things you need to sort out to make sure you’re operating wholly above board. You’ll need to register as self-employed, keep track of your finances, and promptly file your tax returns each year. You’ll have to take out business insurance, public liability insurance, personal accident insurance, and insurance to protect your expensive tools and equipment from theft. If you’re unsure where to start, it might be worth speaking with a financial advisor to get you up and running.
Get your supplies
You undoubtedly have plenty of tools already, but you’ll want to ensure you are fully kitted out with the best and most reliable equipment. The exact kit you’ll need will, of course, depend on the type of handyman work you perform. As well as the standard tools, you may also require the use of a van and even your own workshop. Many professional tradespeople also benefit from handyman software, which allows you to keep track of your jobs and invoices.
Find customers
As soon as you’re ready to go, all you need to do is acquire some customers. Ensure you have an online presence, including a website and social media platforms to promote your services to potential customers and allow them to find you. You could put up advertisements and leave business cards in local shops or post promotional material through letterboxes. Here is a complete guide to marketing for tradespeople to help you with the promotional side of things.
