No two handymen are alike, and neither are their businesses. If you are skilled at home maintenance, there are a surprising number of handyman business ideas you might choose from to put your abilities to good use.
This article will discuss five types of handyman services you might offer to customers. Each has its pros and cons, from how easy they are to set up to their profitability. Some may work better than others for you, depending on your skillset and the need in your community.
1. The “Jack of All Trades” Handyman
When people think about handymen, this is probably what comes to mind. A “jack of all trades” does everything—plumbing, electrical, carpentry, landscaping, HVAC … If you can think up a job, a “jack of all trades” handyman can probably do it for you!
One benefit of choosing this handyman model is marketing yourself as the only contractor your customers will need. You may be able to offer small jobs at a low price, knowing you can make more money off bigger projects (such as room remodels, home additions, or building structures like decks and gazebos). It also gives you the opportunity to do different types of jobs.
However, you may need many different contractor licenses to legally run your business this way. Your state may require separate trade licenses for plumbers, electricians, and HVAC contractors, and you may need them all to be a “jack of all trades” handyman. You’ll also need strong skills in every trade, which can take years of education and experience to learn and maintain.
2. The Specialty Handyman
If doing it all isn’t right for you, you might consider a more niche approach. Being a specialty handyman is a good choice for many contractors. This handyman model lets you focus on the skills you’re best at and focus on jobs that are the most profitable for you.
There are a few benefits to being a specialty handyman. You only need to invest in a limited number of tools rather than needing lots of supplies on hand to do different types of work. Since you’ll be doing the same work again and again, it may be easier to charge a flat rate and increase your profit per job. Finally, customers want to hire the best. Focusing on a specialty service showcases your knowledge and skill, which a general handyman may not have.
A downside to being a specialty handyman is that it may be harder to keep your schedule busy. You might need to work harder to find new customers if you offer a specialty service that does not lend itself to a lot of repeat business.
3. The Basic Handyman
There are a lot of homeowners and renters out there who lack the skills, tools, or time to do basic home maintenance and repair. The basic handyman model could be a great way to help busy families, the elderly, and other groups who need help ticking items off their to-do lists.
With this handyman business idea, you charge an hourly, half-day, or daily rate and do multiple jobs for the same customer in one visit. For example, a family might hire you to hang photos, fix a crooked door, and stop their toilet from running. They can finally tick these items off their list in one convenient visit without needing to schedule appointments with multiple contractors.
A basic handyman typically needs only fundamental home maintenance skills, so this can be a quick and easy handyman model to start. However, you may decide to take classes or apprentice under a more experienced handyman to learn new skills and eventually take on bigger, more complex jobs.
4. The Part-Time Handyman
The handyman business ideas discussed above may suit someone hoping to work in the skilled trades on a full-time basis. But you might not be ready to be a full-time small business owner. Being a part-time handyman is one way to test the waters until you’re ready to take the plunge.
The part-time handyman model can be a good way to supplement your regular income. You still have your regular job to fall back on and get to keep your health insurance and other benefits. It could also help you target customers who are looking for evening and weekend appointments that other handymen don’t schedule.
A major disadvantage to offering part-time handyman services is limited growth. You’ll only have so much time to focus on your business so long as you’re working two jobs.
5. The Franchise Handyman
For many handymen, the time comes when they must hang up their hammer. You may no longer want to travel from job to job all day or might find the physical demands of the job too difficult as you get older. A handyman franchise is one way to keep working in the industry.
Instead of doing the work yourself, a franchise lets you manage a team of handymen. The franchise handyman model allows you to benefit from the name recognition and trust of a big brand. You may also receive marketing support and employee training to help your franchise succeed and meet the brand’s standards.
A downside to franchises is that they are often expensive. There are significant upfront costs in the franchise fee and other expenses, so it may be riskier than building your own business.
Handyman Business Opportunities for Small Business Owners
There are many types of handyman services that you could offer in your community. Whether you’re an all-rounder who can do it all or a weekend warrior working a side gig, there are many handyman models to choose from. Any of them might be the perfect fit for your career goals.
Carefully consider the pros and cons of each handyman business idea to decide which one might be right for you. Remember, you can always change how your business runs and the services you offer to fit your customers’ needs and your growing skillset.
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