5 Customer Service Tips for Handyman Businesses

Customer service is important, no matter which industry you’re working in. Being a handyman or handywoman is no exception! Customer service can make or break your small business, turning excellent experiences into more paid work, a steady income, and continued growth.

But what does ‘handyman customer service’ really mean? Whether you’re new to the field or have been helping homeowners for years, there may be steps you can take to make your customers even happier with your services. These five handyman tips will help show you how to do this:

1. Make customer service a priority

Going the extra mile for your customers can set you apart from the competition. Exceeding their expectations not only makes them happy but could lead to valuable word-of-mouth referrals and positive online reviews.

Small steps can help you provide excellent customer service. Replying to calls and emails in a timely manner and arriving on time or calling ahead if you’ll be delayed sets the right tone from the start. When you’re in a customer’s home, continue acting professionally—avoid taking personal calls, remove dirty boots on carpeting, and leave their home cleaner than when you arrived.

Once a job is complete, consider following up with the customer a few days or a week later. This is a great opportunity to check that they are still happy with the work you did, possibly line up future projects, or ask for a review or referral.

Recommended reading: How to Win Your Customers’ Loyalty as a Handyman

2. Become an estimate writing pro

Homeowners typically contact several handymen to compare prices. Providing them with an estimate as close to the final price as possible could help you win jobs, even if your prices aren’t the lowest in town.

A formal estimate might not be necessary for every customer. If a homeowner has a few small jobs to be done around the house, you may be able to quote a standard hourly rate. However, larger projects might require a written estimate. You’ll need to consider the cost of materials, your labor, business overhead, and markup to ensure the job will be profitable for you.

Accurate and detailed estimates help sell you as a pro—you know exactly what work goes into a project, how long it should take, and the skills necessary to get it done right the first time. While some homeowners may still go with a cheaper handyman, others will appreciate your expertise and hire you for the job.

3. Learn new skills

Handymen are expected to have a broad range of home repair and maintenance skills. While you might occasionally need to refer customers to a general contractor or specialty tradesperson, ideally, you want to keep as much business for yourself as possible.

Learning new skills allows you to offer more services to customers. They’ll appreciate the convenience of calling one person to take care of repairs and odd jobs around the house. Skills you might consider adding to your skillset include cabinet making, appliance repairs, and basic landscaping.

4. Put your business online

The internet is a huge part of people’s lives. It’s where most people now look for tradespeople, including handymen. If they can’t find your business online, it’s unlikely they’ll find it at all.

Building an online presence is crucial for many small businesses. This generally starts with a website and listing your business on search engines, such as Google. You can also create business profiles on social media sites and even advertise your handyman business across the web.

There are many user-friendly apps that can help you create a professional-looking website and ads. However, you might consider hiring a marketing assistant or web designer to help you create and maintain your online presence.

5. Partner with other businesses

Many homeowners look for recommendations from their trusted tradesmen. Networking with other contractors in your area could lead to referrals for your business. For example, a customer might ask their gardener if they know a handyman who can repair parts of their fencing. The gardener could recommend you for the job.

You might also partner with businesses outside of building and construction. Real estate agents and HOA presidents can be good sources for referrals, as they often know people needing to fix up their properties.

Is your handyman business protected?

Another handyman tip you might consider—buying business insurance. Handyman insurance, such as a General Liability policy or tool coverage, shield your small business against everyday risks like third-party property damage and equipment failure.

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