The Handyman Startup Podcast

In this episode, I sit down with Will Lingard of Surry Hills Handyman, a pro handyman with over nine years of handyman business experience. We discuss how he runs multiple businesses by subcontracting work, how he hired his first help, what's important to affluent customers, why being a good person is more important than your skills, and more. Will is a great guy with loads of wisdom to share to help you run a more profitable and enjoyable business.

Stress is a silent killer. It kills joy and is unhealthy. The more I dive into this topic, the more I realize that high expectations are at the core of dissatisfaction in the modern world. It's the ultimate first-world problem. In this episode, I share several practical tips you can apply today to re-align your expectations with reality and, in doing so, reduce unnecessary pressure and stress while growing your business

Most people underestimate what they can accomplish in a few years, and drastically overestimate what they can accomplish in a day, a week, or a month. In this episode, I discuss how keeping your expectations LOW, at least in the short-term, will improve your odds of success and make the process of building a business more enjoyable. Winning in business is about winning the mental battle. Here's one way to do that.

I've made a lot of pricing mistakes as a pro handyman. In this epsiode, I tell the story of five jobs that I did that barely made any money. I also share why these jobs weren't profitable and the mistakes that I made that led to me losing time and money. Avoiding pricing mistakes is one of the easiest ways to boost your income as a pro, so this episode should be especially helpful for someone just starting their handyman business.

Will growing a business ever be easy? Maybe for a lucky few, but not for most people. The funny thing is that most people are waiting for it to be easy before they go after it. Or, they are avoiding the challenges that are between them and growth because it's not an easy path. In this episode, I share why you actually don't want it to be easy and some tips for making the journey easier (but still not easy).

Mounting TVs has been a lucrative service for my handyman business. It has a high perceived value relative to install time, so I can easily make $100-$200 per hour. It's a great, low-risk way for a new customer to test my services, allowing me to quickly build my client base. And it's a low-stress, enjoyable job. Since I've mounted over 100 TVs, I've learned some valuable business lessons that can help you make more money with any service you offer. These are essential lessons and can dramatically accelerate your success if you put them to work.

Evaristo Gomez officially started his handyman business in early 2023. Now, just a little over a year in, he shares his journey. In this interview, we talk about how he left his secure job to start his business and gain more control over his schedule, even though he had a three-month-old child. We also share the challenges he had to overcome, his mistakes, and how he estimates jobs. If you are thinking of starting a handyman business, this interview will be both motivating and inspiring.

Credibility is everything when it comes to growing a handyman business. Without it, you will have no customers. Luckily, there are relatively fast and easy methods for gaining credibility quickly. In this episode, I shatter misconceptions about credibility and provide clear proven steps to establish credibility so you can start or grow your business easier.

The busy season for home services peaks between May and September, but it starts to ramp up during springtime. This is your best opportunity of the year to build momentum for your business. In this episode, I share four simple actions you can take this week to set yourself up for a profitable and enjoyable busy season while building momentum into the slow season. This is low-hanging fruit that can make a meaningful difference to your success.

Tommy Mello is the CEO of A1 Garage Doors, which he founded and grew to over $200 Million in annual revenue. In this episode, he generously shares his sales processes, how to train employees, how to book more jobs, and many other tips he's learned on his business growth journey. This episode is packed practical tips and motivating insights that will give you an advantage over your competition when building a garage door company or any home service business.

In this episode, I discuss one of the most important business topics. Starting a business isn't just a matter of skill, expertise, or abilities. And it's definitely not a matter of luck. You don't have to be the smartest, hardest working person in the room, but you do need to do two things. Put in consistent effort over the long term and work on the right things. However, doing that is much harder than it would seem. In this episode, I share four common reasons people fail to grow a business and how you can easily overcome these pitfalls. This episode will help you grow your business and make you a more effective person in general.

Here's an example of a service that is both profitable and in demand: Aging-In-Place services. In this episode, I interview Pat Lund, creator and executive director of Age Well At Home - a non-profit business focused on helping aging adults live in their homes safer and for longer. We dive into why these services are in high demand and how to take advantage of the opportunity while helping your community. We cover getting customers, the most common services, pricing, and more.

Hiring employees to scale your business has many benefits. You can make more money, have more leisure time, and delegate things you don't enjoy. But is the sacrifice worth the reward? That's what I dive into in this episode. I talk about the advantages of staying solo and hiring employees. Then, I share some additional considerations that most people don't think about when making tough decisions like this.

Hiring your first employee requires a small shift in mindset and a heavy dose of courage. In this episode, I interview Rick McFadden to learn the ins and outs of hiring employees for a handyman business. As someone who has managed over 300 employees throughout his career, Rick has some powerful insights that will give you confidence and help you be more successful when building your team. Rick owns Enhance Property Maintenance which has nine employees and is on track to generate $1M in revenue this year.

In this episode, I interview Bryan Clayton, founder of GreenPal, who went from pushing a lawn mower to building a $10 Million per year landscaping business in Tennessee. He shares his most profitable landscaping services, how to maintain motivation over the long term, the benefits of scale, and much more. Bryan has an interesting perspective on growing a business and compares it to playing the video game Super Mario Brothers. His lessons can be applied to any home service business even if you don't plan to grow a landscaping business.

After ten years of estimating handyman jobs, I’ve learned a few tricks. And in this article, I will share everything you need to know to estimate jobs quickly and accurately. Whether you are looking for helpful estimating tips that will make you more money or just a free template you can use for your first estimate, I’ve got you covered. Let’s get started. Contents: Why estimating is so important How to estimate handyman jobs How to create and send a handyman estimate What to include in a handyman estimate Do you always need an estimate? Free handyman estimate template Five tips for more profitable estimates Listen to the podcast version of this article, which includes extra content and tips. Listen right here or on your favorite podcast app! HS039 – Estimating Handyman Jobs – Proven Tips for Boosting Income Why is estimating handyman jobs so important? The decision about how much to charge is where your profits are made or lost. If you underestimate a project, you lose money and waste time. Overestimating is preferable, but can lead to losing customers. When you compare how much time you spend estimating a project to how much time you spend performing the labor, estimating takes up a relatively small amount of your time. But your decision in these short minutes (or even seconds) will impact your profitability for the entire job. A small mistake can cost you hundreds and sometimes thousands of dollars. So it’s essential to give this process the respect and attention it deserves. How to estimate handyman jobs (step-by-step) You can use several methods to estimate a home improvement or repair. One example is seen with painters or flooring installers, who often create estimates based on a project’s square footage or yardage. Another example is seen with companies that charge flat rates for projects. A lawn care company may charge $35 per week for a mow-and-blow, or an electrician may charge $250 to wall mount a TV. However, as a handyman, it rarely makes sense to copy these estimating strategies. Instead, it’s usually best to stick with good old T&M (time and materials), especially when first starting. T&M is when you simply estimate how long a project will take you, multiply that by your rates, and then add on the material costs. Basing your estimates on time and materials is the best way to ensure you make a profit and avoid undercharging, especially when estimating your first few jobs. If you ask pro handymen on online forums about how they charge, most experienced pros will say that charging by the hour is a terrible idea, and you can make more money with a flat rate or quoting each job. But those pros have been in business for years and have estimated hundreds of projects. Most have forgotten what it’s like to be a beginner, so don’t listen to them. There’s nothing wrong with charging based on time. Most of the pros I consult with make more money using T&M to estimate. Put simply, unless you specialize or have loads of experience, stick with T&M. As you gain more experience, you can utilize other methods. Here’s how to estimate handyman jobs based on time and materials, step by step. Step #1 – Assess the project The first step is to thoroughly understand what the project entails. You’ll want to learn things like: What exactly needs to be done? What materials will you need? Is the project area easy to access? Is there anything that could go wrong or be more challenging once you get into the project? Is the customer going to be difficult to deal with? Assessing the project may require a visit to the customer’s home. If you’ve never done a given project before, or if you’re just starting your handyman business, then seeing the project in person is essential to creating an accurate estimate. However, once you gain experience, you may feel comfortable estimating based on pictures the customer sends or by asking the customer a few questions. This is how I quote every job now, and I never give in-person free quotes because they eat into my profits. For more details on when it makes sense to visit a customer for a free estimate, read this article: Should handymen give free estimates? Step #2 – Calculate the cost of labor Once you have a clear picture of what needs to be done, the next step is to determine how much to charge for the labor portion of the project. Pro Tip Understanding how much you must charge per hour (or per day) to generate a profit is essential before submitting your first estimate to a customer. Read this article to learn how to do that. Assuming you know how much you need to charge for your time, here’s how to calculate the labor portion of your estimate: Break the project down into steps and write each one down. Visualize yourself completing each step, and write down a time estimate for each. Add up the time (include time for shopping, setup, and cleanup). Multiply the total time by your rates to get your labor. Then DOUBLE it. Why double it? Because of the little quirk in human psychology known as the Planning Fallacy, we all tend to underestimate how long a project will take (usually by about half), even if we have done a similar project. Things always seem more straightforward in your mind. But the reality of doing a project is always more complex. So, I advise any new handyman to estimate how long a project will take, then DOUBLE IT, and base your estimate on that amount of time. Yes, it may be uncomfortable or extreme, but it’s better than underestimating a project and losing money. Pro Tip It’s better to overestimate than to underestimate. If you overestimate, you risk losing the job to a lower bidder, which isn’t fun. But if you underestimate, you are guaranteed to waste time and make little to no money. Unless your main goal is to get some jobs under your belt, you’re better off spending your time on marketing than doing jobs that aren’t profitable. Step #3 – Calculate the cost of materials Here, you’ll determine how much you will charge for the labor portion of the estimate. This process is similar to calculating the labor and goes like this: Visualize yourself completing each project step (don’t forget setup and cleanup). Make a list of materials you will need as you imagine doing the project. Take that list of materials and write down the cost of each item. You may need to shop online to figure out the cost. Total up the materials and then apply a markup. The amount you will charge for materials will be the total cost plus whatever markup you apply. To learn more about the appropriate markup for materials, consider investing in my pricing course for pros. Step #4 – Add it up! Now that you have the labor and materials, simply add these together to create your estimate. It’s important to note that most of your profits as a pro handyman will come from your labor. As a self-employed handyman, your profits should be built into your rates, so there is no need to apply a markup to the labor portion of your estimate. However, you may calculate your profits slightly differently if you run a company with employees. For example, you may calculate the total cost of materials and labor, then apply a 25% markup to the entire job. But, as a self-employed handyman, it’s usually best to simply calculate your profits into your rates, as I demonstrate here. How to create and send a handyman estimate There are several ways to provide estimates to potential customers, and there is no correct answer for every situation. Sometimes you may give a verbal estimate over the phone. Other times, you may send your quote via text. And in some cases, you may write up a formal estimate, email it to the customer, and have them sign it (several apps make this process seamless). Which option you choose depends on who the estimate is sent to, your relationship with that person, and what the job entails. Recently, a new customer called me to hang two TVs on the wall. I’ve hung hundreds of TVs, so I gave her a verbal quote on the phone. She agreed to the price and scheduled the job immediately. When one of my repeat customers had a drywall repair, he texted me. I had him send me some pictures from there, and we continued our conversation via text. I even sent my estimate via text. Here it is… The customer accepted my quote and hired me. Other times (usually when working for a new customer), I’ll use an app on my phone to quickly create a formal estimate and email it. I never require anyone to sign a contract or estimate because my average job size is so small. The point is that you don’t have to overthink your estimate for handyman jobs. A verbal estimate usually suffices since most jobs are just a few hundred bucks. A more formal, signed estimate is probably necessary when tackling a bigger project like a kitchen remodel. Of course, it’s nice to have the estimate in writing, but if you are dealing with someone who will stiff you, they will stiff you whether it’s in writing or not. Three ways to create a written estimate: Use a smartphone app (BEST) – This is the easiest and fastest method. Writing an estimate this way takes seconds, and you can usually send the estimate right from the app. I recently wrote an in-depth article on handyman software, where you can find my recommendation for which apps to use. Use Excel – This is the old-school way, but it still works. If you are just trying to send one or two estimates without downloading an app, this is a good way. Word processor – Microsoft Word or Apple Pages can also work. Any word processor can work. Again, overthinking this isn’t going to land you more jobs. What to include in an estimate What you include in your estimate is far more important than how you create or deliver it. Whether you text your estimates or create fancy written estimates and hand-deliver them with a box of chocolates, the key components are always the same. Essential components of a handyman estimate: Description of work – You want to be ultra clear on what the estimate covers and, often more importantly, what it does NOT cover. Sometimes, all you need is one line of text to describe the work, like “wall mount two TVs.” In other cases, you may need to explain the project in depth. The estimated price: This can be a lump sum, or you can itemize everything. Important disclaimers – Some projects can start small and become much more extensive. For example, if you are going to replace some damaged siding, you never know what you will find behind that siding. The estimate is your chance to manage the customer’s expectations so they aren’t met with additional charges they didn’t see coming. If you think there could be an issue, let the customer know in the estimate. Additional “nice-to-have” components of a handyman estimate Benefits of hiring you – If a potential customer is getting multiple estimates, finding a way to differentiate yourself is helpful. Otherwise, all the customer has to compare is the price. My favorite way to use the project description to imply some benefits. Let’s say I was building a new gate. I may say something like “Construct gate with diagonal support to prevent sagging” and “install reliable latching mechanism.” Even if other pros will build the gate the same way, the customer is assured that the gate I build won’t sag and will latch reliably. There are a million ways to do this, and it can be done in writing on the estimate or verbally when you speak with the customer. Your availability – I don’t include this on the estimate itself, but with my message when I deliver it. Since handyman jobs are usually small, customers don’t want to go back and forth a hundred times just to get it scheduled. They want clear, concise communication. That’s why I always include my next available times whenever I submit an estimate. This serves two purposes. It reduces back and forth and gives the customer a sense of urgency to get back to me before my schedule fills up. Components of a written estimate Your company information (name, address, phone #, email) Customer information (name & address) The date estimate was created Project description Estimated cost (can be itemized or one lump sum) Important disclaimers and exclusions The expiration date of the estimate Payment terms Acceptable payment methods Should you require a customer signature on your estimate? You can have the customer sign and approve the estimate before you start if necessary. But as I mentioned, most handyman jobs are small (around $200-$1,000), so formal contracts are rarely worth the time and formality. As long as you communicate clearly with the customer before, during, and after the project, you will run into very few problems with customers questioning your bill at the end. And from my experience, 99% of customers will pay without hassle. I’ve only had a few customers not pay me the entire time I’ve been in business, and I doubt having a signed contract would have changed anything. If you’re dealing with a customer you don’t trust, you may be better off turning down the job. You’ll probably avoid more than one headache by doing so. Do customers always need an estimate? No, in many cases, as you build trust with clients, they will no longer ask how much a project will cost. Instead, they would rather just skip the whole estimating process and have you get to work. Estimates are most important when doing more extensive projects or dealing with new customers, commercial customers, or customers who are challenging to deal with. Free handyman estimate template As mentioned above, several great apps make it easy to create and send handyman estimates. These are the way to go if you are serious about growing your business. However, if you just want a template to use now, click the link below and download a free handyman estimate template. (You may need to right-click to download). Handyman Estimating Template (Microsoft Excel) Handyman Estimating Template (Microsoft Word) Handyman Estimating Template (macOS Pages) Handyman Estimating Template (macOS Numbers) Five handyman estimating tips for higher profits Now that you know how to estimate a handyman job, here are some tips to help you boost your profits and conversions. Tip #1 – Understand your numbers The most critical step in creating estimates is understanding how much you need to charge for your time to make a profit and run a sustainable business. You don’t want to have just a general idea. You want to have an exact number. When most handyman business owners finally dig into the math, they realize they need to charge more than they thought they needed. That’s because hidden expenses add up, and what you make as an employee is nowhere near what you need to charge as a business. Tip #2 – It’s better to overbid than to underbid When you underestimate how long a project will take, and the customer hires you, you are guaranteed to lose money, waste time, and experience frustration. But when you overestimate, you only increase your odds (sometimes only slightly) of losing the job to your competition. In many cases, when you overestimate, you’ll still get hired, which means you either make more money, spend a little more time doing an outstanding job, or cut the customer a discount when the project is done. If you lose a job because you were too expensive, it’s far better than getting a job for being the lowest bidder and then ending up working your ass off just to avoid losing money. Good marketing eliminates the pain of losing a job to overbidding, so invest your time there. Tip #3 – Be firm with your price, but try to save the customer money I like to view my pricing as if some authority determined it, and I can’t change it. I let the profitability gods (math) set my pricing and never transgress. I never negotiate on my pricing for handyman jobs. But I try to save customers money in any way I can. For example, one of my customers hired me to replace some roof tiles a few months ago. He was a smart and handy guy. He just doesn’t like getting on the roof. So, I told him he could save a couple of hundred bucks by shopping for the replacement tiles himself, since this is easy but time-intensive. He was happy to do the shopping, and I was happy to avoid it. However, I wouldn’t recommend the same to every customer. Some customers want to save time and don’t want to deal with shopping. I try to read the situation and only make these recommendations for price-sensitive customers. This helps build trust and gives the customer perspective when interpreting my prices. I’m not out to price gouge people, but I’m not out to give my time away, either. Tip #4 – When in doubt, double your estimate If you’re quoting a project that you’ve never done before, or you just don’t have much experience quoting a particular type of project, you will have a natural tendency to underbid (which can cost you a lot). This is normal, and everyone does it. So, once you’ve thoughtfully created an estimate of how long it will take you, double that time. Seriously, double it. At a very minimum, add an extra 50%. This may seem extreme, but this tip alone can save you hundreds of dollars on your next job. Tip #5 – Give options (pricing tiers) In some cases, giving different pricing options for a project can be helpful. For example, customers may call you because their gate isn’t latching. After looking at the gate, you may see they would benefit from a completely new one. In this instance, you could give them three different quotes: A quote for fixing their existing latch (cheapest option) A quote for replacing the existing latch with a better one (middle option) A quote for building an entirely new gate that doesn’t sag (most expensive option) Providing the customer with options is helpful because it places them in a position of power. Even though there is a good argument that more options lead to lower life satisfaction and that fixing gates is better, people like to have options. Conclusion Estimating handyman jobs is an important skill to learn as a handyman because it has a tremendous impact on your profits. There is a steep learning curve, and you are bound to underbid at least a few jobs, but by having a system to follow and learning the right perspective, you can significantly increase your income. I’ve shared some powerful tips in this article. Still, if you are serious about growing a profitable handyman business, I highly recommend you invest in my course on handyman pricing – $100K Handyman Pricing. You’ll learn secrets, strategies, and mindsets you can’t find anywhere else that will boost your confidence and your profits. The post Handyman Estimates: The Ultimate Guide (+ Free Template) appeared first on Handyman Startup.

Get an inside look at investing in a handyman franchise with this interview with Collete Bell, VP of Franchise Development for Ace Handyman Services - one of America's top handyman franchises. Colette has over 20 years of experience in the handyman business. She helped start Handyman Matters with her Husband, Andy Bell, and they grew it from scratch for 18 years until it was acquired by Ace Hardware and rebranded as Ace Handyman Services. Ace Handyman Services is one of, if not the, largest handyman franchises in the country, with 378 territories in 46 states at the time of recording. In this interview, we dive into the details and discuss the benefits of the franchise, the day-to-day of a typical franchisee, the cost to get started, and even the profit of the top-performing Ace Handyman Services locations.

Business is a mental game, and success is often a matter of mastering that mental game. Setbacks and unexpected challenges are expected when growing a business and can wreak havoc on your confidence, motivation, and peace of mind if not managed. In this episode, I share some of the setbacks that I've dealt with and continue to deal with as a business owner and how to deal with them effectively so you can maintain your motivation, confidence, and peace of mind even when things go wrong. Starting a business is hard, but not because of a lack of information or resources. The real challenge is managing your psychology and pushing through the challenges. By mastering this mental game, you will not only become far more successful, but you will enjoy the process and reduce your stress.

Pricing is one of the top two most important topics when running a profitable service business - only second to marketing. Whether you're a pro handyman, contractor, or any service provider, pricing directly impacts your profits, and many mistakes and pitfalls exist that can quietly eat into your income and put you out of business. In this episode, I discuss nine common pricing mistakes in detail. Knowing and understanding these pricing mistakes will save you time, money, and headaches.

The variety of jobs you see as a pro handyman is stimulating and enjoyable but can also limit your profits. In this episode, I discuss how choosing one or more services to specialize in can boost your income and even your enjoyment with your business. You'll learn six benefits to specializing, several disadvantages, and how to implement this for a general handyman business.

The handyman business is versatile, with many paths to generating a profit. In this episode, I break down seven different business models that are proven and profitable within the realm of handyman services. I talk about the pros and cons of each, and who would be best suited for each.

Many handyman business names have already been taken, but that doesn't mean you can't find a great name that helps you attract customers. In this episode, I talk about key business name criteria, ways to generate unique and catchy names, and how to make sure a name is OK to use and hasn't been trademarked.

In this episode, I continue on the topic I started in the last episode by sharing more about starting a home repair business on the side. $1,000 per month in five hours per week is a perfect goal if you want to prove that your business works before going full-time because it proves that you can make a six-figure income with your business.

Starting a business while working a full-time job can be challenging because you have limited time and energy to apply to your business. However, it is totally doable with the right mindset and a methodical approach. I've helped hundreds of people do it, and I share exactly how you can do the same in this episode.

Despite what many people assume, you don't need a contractor's license to operate a profitable home repair business. In fact, in some cases, it can actually be a hindrance. In this episode, I share my story of how I grew my handyman business without ever getting a contractor's license. I also share insights into what to consider before you invest the time and money to obtain a contractor's license. Ultimately, this about helping you decide if you actually need a contractor's license to grow your business.

Choosing a legal structure for your business is an important step that can affect how much you pay in taxes, your personal liability, and the amount of boring paperwork you have to deal with each year. In this episode, I cut through the B.S. and get straight to the point on which structure is best for handymen, contractors, HVAC companies, and any other small home-based service business.

Starting a handyman business can be profitable and fun with the right approach. I know this because I’ve been doing it for over ten years. However, it’s important to understand that a truck full of tools and some home repair skills will only get you so far. You’ll also need to learn a few business skills to build a profitable business that generates six figures per year or more. The good news is that it isn’t hard, and you don’t need employees. Here are the steps I’d take if I started from scratch today. How to Start a Handyman Business in 10 Easy Steps Define Your Skills & Services Learn the Handyman Laws in Your State Identify Your Ideal Customers Set Your Pricing Nail Your Marketing Strategy Name Your Business Register Your Business Buy Essential Tools Get Handyman Insurance Simplify operations with the right software BONUS Content How much can you make as a pro handyman? Is starting a handyman business a good idea? How can I be certain this will work for me? Step #1 – Define Your Skills & Services The first step is to evaluate your current skills and decide on the services you will provide. You may be thinking, “Don’t I need to be able to do everything?” The short answer is no; you don’t. Very few professional handymen can repair or improve everything in a home, and even those who can still don’t. You can generate large profits by offering a limited range of services. In fact, in some cases, it can be more profitable to specialize. For example, I can’t legally provide most plumbing, electrical, or HVAC services without specialty licenses in those trades where I live. Additionally, I don’t enjoy painting, so I don’t offer that service either. Yet, I still have more business than I can handle. And I’m not unique. Almost every other pro handyman I’ve spoken to (well over 1,000) avoids certain projects and gravitates toward others. So, even though it’s common for people to think of the slogan “big or small, we do it all,” that’s not required (or even ideal) for running a profitable handyman business. Additionally, think about the other handyman-like service businesses, such as garage door companies, lawn care companies, locksmiths, home security installers, masons, etc. These businesses all focus on a specific service and can be very lucrative. As a handyman, you will have a much broader range of services that will span several trades, but you can indeed get started by offering what you know how to do and grow from there. That’s how I started my handyman business, and I’m still learning new skills every day. Starting this way also allows you to acquire the necessary tools slowly. Here’s a good list of tools to start a handyman business. So, the first thing to do is list all the possible services you can offer now. To get some ideas, I recommend reading the free report below. In it, I share ten profitable handyman services you can offer without a contractor’s license, plus some insight into how much to charge. Step #2: Learn the Handyman Laws in Your State One of the best ways to ruin your day is to start a business as a handyman, only to realize later you need a contractor’s license to provide the services you want to provide. Hopefully, you don’t discover this the hard way as I did. Before you get too excited about the service list you just made, it’s time to read about your state’s contracting laws because every state is different. Find out which services you can and can’t offer without a license, or determine what license you need to provide the desired services. In most states, you won’t need a special license to provide minor repairs for profit. However, there are usually two limitations on handymen’s services without a contractor’s license. The first is a dollar limit. Most states have an upper limit for the job size. In California, the limit is $500. In Nevada, it’s $1,000. Every state is a little different (more on that below). Secondly, most states restrict unlicensed handymen from performing electrical, plumbing, or HVAC work without a specialty license in those trades. However, they typically allow handymen to change light fixtures and ceiling fans, replace toilets and faucets, and do other minor jobs that don’t alter the plumbing or wiring of the house. These restrictions may sound very restrictive, but plenty of jobs fit within those limits—more than enough to run a profitable home repair business. In fact, despite the $500 limit in California, I’ve met dozens of pro handymen who are making a killing even without a license. To learn more about the laws in your state, visit my complete guide to handyman licensing laws here. If you can’t find the information you need there, you can get a good idea of the laws in your state by going to your state’s contractors’ board website and reading there. Typically, they will have a FAQ section for handymen, outlining small repairs and maintenance laws. Step #3 – Define Your Ideal Customer Not every homeowner is a good customer for your business. I didn’t understand this concept when I started my handyman business, so I worked for anybody I could. I’d lower my prices to get jobs, take on jobs I wasn’t good at, and try to serve everyone who would hire me. As a result, I found myself rushing jobs, compromising on quality, and getting a couple of bad reviews. Finally, I learned my lesson. Never lower your rates to get customers. Design your business around helping a specific type of customer and focus on helping them. Your services aren’t a good fit for everybody who needs a handyman. Some customers want the lowest prices or can’t afford to pay a professional rate. Other customers don’t mind paying higher rates if you provide good service. Some customers live forty miles away, while others are just five minutes away. Some customers only want the best of the best, and others just want the job done so they can move on with their lives. Profit can be made from all of these customers, but deciding on the kind of service you want to offer is essential. I can’t stress this enough. Targeting the right customers will dramatically impact your enjoyment and profits as a professional handyman. If you target customers you enjoy working for and are willing to pay decent rates for your services, you’ll be happier, they’ll be happier, you’ll get more referrals and repeat business, and you’ll make more money. If you try to please everyone, you will struggle financially or emotionally – probably both. By figuring out who would benefit most from your service and who you want to work for, you can avoid this frustration, and your success will be accelerated. Step #4: Set Your Pricing It’s time to figure out how much to charge. But first, let’s answer the bigger question on your mind. How much can you make as a pro handyman? The average handyman in the US charges between $60 and $85 per hour. With the right pricing strategies, you can easily make an average of $100 per hour. I’ve made up to $200 per hour and currently average about $125 per hour worked (although I don’t charge hourly, I still track my hourly income). It may surprise you, but it’s not uncommon for pro handymen to generate a six-figure income while providing basic handyman services. The handyman business can be surprisingly profitable IF you set it up properly. As with any business, having a good grasp on the financial side of things is essential, especially when setting your handyman rates. Deciding how much to charge is one of the more difficult parts of starting a handyman business because of the psychology and limiting beliefs involved. This is where I see the most mistakes with my readers. You need to consider things like your experience level, work efficiency, ability to sell, reputation, and professionalism, and you also need to understand what you must charge to actually turn a profit. Then, you need to have the balls to charge that much! It’s not easy when you probably have self-doubt about your skills and abilities. (Don’t worry, most people do.) But here’s the deal. This problem has already been solved. You don’t have to pick a number out of thin air or base your rates on what your friends or family think. You don’t have to undercharge, waste time, and leave money on the table while you learn pricing the hard way. Instead, you can follow a proven system for setting your pricing that guarantees you generate a healthy profit. (Nothing against your friends and family, but they probably aren’t your ideal customers, so their opinions don’t matter.) Step #5 – Develop a Marketing Strategy At this point, you should have a good idea of the services you will offer, who will buy them, and how much you will charge. The next step is determining how you will reach your ideal clients and convince them to hire you. That’s right. It’s time to form a marketing plan. The good news for you is that people actively search for your services every day of the year. Handyman services are in high demand, and the demand is growing. The bad news is that many other handymen have the same thing in mind. Don’t worry. There’s more good news. Most handymen are terrible marketers, and you can make a killing by putting a little extra effort into your marketing. There are many different methods for attracting customers to your business, but the most effective way is to build a professional website and online presence. A good online presence will help you establish credibility and attract customers, allowing you to charge more for your services and easily fill your schedule. For more details on how to do this, download this free handyman marketing report, where I share the most effective method for attracting high-paying customers. Step #6 – Give Your Business a Name Completing the first five steps is the equivalent of forming a business plan. Once you have that plan, it’s time to give birth to your business by giving it a name. You don’t need to get fancy here. Just something that sounds professional and clearly indicates the services that you provide. Including the words handyman, home repair, maintenance, fix, construction, and similar words in your name helps potential customers understand your business. Tips for Naming Your Handyman Business Make it easy to spell or say Have it communicate the services you provide Keep it as short as possible When you’re ready for this step, read The Ultimate Guide To Naming Your Handyman Business. Now, listen to the podcast version of this article, which includes extra content. Listen right here or on your favorite podcast app! HS028 – The First 5 Steps To Starting a Profitable Handyman Business Step #7 – Business Licenses and Registration This step may sound intimidating, but it’s one of the easiest and only takes a few hours. You’ll want to do three things here: Register your business as an LLC (here’s why a handyman LLC is best). Get your EIN (it’s free). Get the appropriate local business licenses. Registering your business as an LLC can be done online with your state licensing department, usually costing less than $500. Once you’ve done that, you can get an EIN, which is like a business’s social security number. This will allow you to set up a business bank account. The last step is obtaining the appropriate city or county business licenses. You can find out how to obtain these by visiting your local Chamber of Commerce website and filling out the appropriate forms. You can learn more about registering your business here. Step #8 – Buy the Tools You Need Don’t spend $3,000 on tools right away. In the beginning stages of a business, that money can be invested in other, higher-return areas (such as marketing). Instead, acquire tools as you need them. Let’s say you get a tile installation job, and you don’t have a tile saw. No big deal. Pick one up at the store while you pick up supplies for the job. Or, better yet, rent one until you are certain you will use it enough to justify owning it. Of course, certain tools are essential (like a cordless drill, pliers, screwdrivers, etc.), but I’m assuming that if you are a handy person, you likely already have most of those tools or at least know what they are. But if not, then I’ve got your back. I’ve compiled a complete list of the tools you need to start a handyman business. Trying to list those tools on this page would be silly since there are a lot of them. The good news is that most tools are low-cost ($10-$30) with a few basic power tools mixed in. What about a handyman truck or van? The best vehicle for a handyman business depends on your situation, just like everything else. If you already own a truck, I recommend starting with that as your business vehicle. After a few months of operating out of that, you will be clearer on the ideal vehicle for your situation. I’ve even seen people use mini-vans, SUVs, and even sedans. While this isn’t ideal for carrying tools (or looking professional), it can work in the short run while you get established. Step #9 – Get Handyman Insurance Handyman insurance isn’t required to operate a handyman business in most areas, but it is a good idea. While you can get many types of insurance, I universally recommend a general liability policy to protect yourself and your customers if you accidentally drill into a pipe or drop an expensive piece of art on the ground. As a part-time handyman, this will typically run about $40-$50 per month, which is negligible as long as you charge enough for your services. As a full-time handyman, you will pay closer to $80 or $90 for a general liability policy of up to $1,000,000 in coverage per claim. For a complete rundown on handyman insurance and my recommendation for the best place to get it, read my complete guide on handyman insurance here. Step #10 – Save Time with Handyman Business Software Some incredible software options are available that will save you time, help you provide better service, and make you look more professional. The right handyman software will make running your business easier, more fun, and more profitable. There are two types of software that I view as essential: Bookkeeping software – manages your accounting and keeps you organized for taxes. FMS (Field Management Software) – manages everything else in your business, from scheduling, estimating, soliciting online reviews, managing customers’ information, and more. Expect to spend between $50 and $200 monthly for software, depending on your choice. I’ve tested dozens of software options for my handyman business, and my top recommendation is here. Conclusion The handyman business is a proven business model. Thousands of people have made it work. Success is a matter of following best practices and consistently working hard. Start by taking the first five steps above. Once you do, you’ll have a clear path toward success and a boost in confidence. I’ve been helping skilled DIYers escape their day jobs by building profitable handyman businesses for over a decade. I invite you to join thousands of other pros (and future pros) by signing up for my email newsletter (it’s free). I’ll send you insider insights, special deals, tips for making more money, and more. Bonus Q&A Is starting a handyman business a good idea? If you enjoy working with your hands and helping people, the handyman business can be fun, fulfilling, and profitable. It’s a high-demand service, so job security is high. Also, every day is different, and moving your body all day is healthy. For me, it has been the most enjoyable career I’ve had so far, and most of my students who use my programs to get started love the businesses they create. There aren’t many careers where you can move your body, solve interesting problems, and then have customers happily pay you with money and gratitude after a job well done. However, to be successful, you must be self-motivated. Just like running any business, it requires you to manage yourself. Sure, you get unlimited control over your schedule, but that also means it’s far easier to slack off. How can I overcome the fears of starting a business? Starting a business can be scary. So can working in a customer’s home. Even if you are confident in your home repair skills in your own house, doing it for other people may frighten you. This is normal. The best way to overcome this fear is to follow a proven system and surround yourself with a supportive network. Then, take it one step at a time. You don’t have to build your business overnight, and you don’t have to get straight into kitchen remodels. You can start small, offering services you are very confident in, and work up slowly. Here’s an in-depth article on overcoming the fears. The post How to Start a Handyman Business in 10 Steps (2026 Guide) appeared first on Handyman Startup.

In this episode, I dive deep into the start-up costs for a typical handyman business. I share a list of common expenses as well as provide insights into where to invest your money for the highest ROI. Not only will you learn how much you can expect to spend in order to get started, but you'll also gain an insider perspective on the startup process in general.

Having a career as a pro handyman can be surprisingly lucrative. For example, I currently average over $149 per hour doing basic home repairs and often make over $200 per hour. And I’m not special. Many of my students make more than this and easily generate a six-figure income each year. How do we do it? I explain how in this step-by-step guide here, but for now, let’s focus on how much an average handyman makes each year to get a good idea of how much you can make as a handyman. Contents What is the average handyman’s salary? What is the average income for a self-employed handyman? How much can you make as a self-employed handyman? Employee vs. Self-Employed handyman. Which is more lucrative? How much is health insurance for a self-employed handyman? Average handyman salaries I hunted for relevant stats regarding handyman salaries. Here are the important ones I dug up: According to Zip Recruiter: The annual salary for a pro handyman in the U.S. ranges from $29,000 to $75,500. The national average annual income for a handyman is $53,009 ($25/hour). 71% of handymen make between $42,000 and $63,500. Here are a few handyman-type careers and their annual median pay in 2022, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics: Construction laborers and helpers: $39,520 General maintenance and repair workers: $44,980  Carpenters: $51,390 Plumbers: $60,090 Electricians: $60,240 Construction managers: $101,480 Construction and building inspectors: $64,480 Figure 1: National Average Salary For Handyman-Type Jobs   Again, these numbers are the median. Some handyman workers make more, and others make less. A highly skilled handyman with a decade of experience will make more than someone less experienced or knowledgeable. Location plays a significant role in how much you can make as well. To get a better estimate of potential income in your specific area, check out a website like Zip Recruiter. As you can see from the numbers above, employed handymen tend to make more than construction helpers, but neither is rolling in cash. Plumbers and electricians make quite a bit more, but if you want to make six figures in this industry as an employee, your best bet is to land a job as a construction manager. Now, let’s look at how much you can make with a handyman business because this is much more fun and interesting. How much can you make as a self-employed handyman? The average self-employed handyman can earn between $53,000 and $120,000 annually (after expenses). This is for a handyman working solo with no employees. So, if you’re wondering if the handyman business is profitable, the answer is YES. Operating a handyman business can be pretty lucrative if you set up your business correctly and provide excellent service. Take a look at this table, which I’ve created to estimate your potential income as a self-employed handyman based on how much you charge and how many billable hours you work each week. Table 1: Estimated Self-Employed Handyman Income Table 1 is based on the following assumptions: $7,622 yearly fixed overhead expenses, $6.50 per billable hour for variable costs (gas, vehicle, supplies, and tools), self-employment taxes of 7.65% already paid from net earnings, 49 weeks per year worked. This table represents actual income. Typical handyman business expenses (insurance, licensing, tools, marketing, etc.) and self-employment taxes are already factored into the equation. This means it provides a near apples-to-apples comparison with an employee’s salary. As you can see from the table, two main variables will affect your yearly income as a pro handyman: Your rates (how much you generate per billable hour, regardless of whether you charge by the hour). The number of billable hours worked per week. Of course, other things will also affect your income, such as expense variations, but these tend to be similar for most self-employed handyman businesses. Since I’ve been nerding out about the handyman business for nearly a decade, I can estimate typical expenses with enough precision to be valid. How much can you expect to make, given your unique circumstances? To answer this question, you’ll need to estimate your rates and how many hours you will bill for, on average, each week. Here’s one way to figure that out. Estimating your self-employed Handyman rates As I demonstrated in my article about setting handyman hourly rates, pro handymen in the U.S. average between $40 and $139 per hour, with the majority charging $60 to $90 per hour. That’s a decent range, and what you can charge will depend on where you live, the services you provide, and how good you are at what you do (just like for employees). However, as a business owner, your income will also be affected by your business skills. If you learn how to market your business effectively, sell your services, and manage yourself and your expenses well, it will dramatically impact your profits and income. But, assuming you become average at those business skills, it’s safe to assume you can get between $60 and $85 per billable hour for your time (and much more if you master the business skills). Adjust a bit higher if you live in a major metropolitan area and a bit lower in a rural area. Estimating your billable hours As a self-employed handyman, you won’t be paid for every hour that you work. Unlike an employee, you’ll have to answer the phone, follow up with customers, manage your bookkeeping, shop for tools and supplies, market your services, and do other admin tasks that you will not be paid for (at least not directly). So, unless you want to work 60+ hours per week, you won’t bill for 40 hours per week. A reasonable estimate for a typical handyman is to work somewhere between 25 and 35 billable hours per week. That allows time for driving to and from jobs, following up, and other day-to-day tasks. Of course, this also assumes you can keep your schedule full in the first place. So, if you look at the table above and then match your estimated hourly rate with the number of billable hours you will be working, you can get a pretty good idea of your income. Assuming 25 billable hours per week at $60 per hour, you will make about $53,000 in a year. Figure 2: Estimated self-employed handyman’s annual income (If working 30 billable hours per week on average) If you can average ~30 billable hours per week at a rate of $85 per hour or more, you can make $100,000. Not too bad! Get a job or start a business? Which is better for a handyman? If you only look at income potential, this is a no-brainer. Starting a handyman business is by far the better option. As an employee with lots of experience, you are only looking at an income ceiling of $80,000, and that’s if you live in the right place with the right employer. The same skills and experience could earn you well over $100K as a self-employed handyman. Being self-employed has other benefits as well. You have more control over your schedule. You have more control over which customers you work for and what kind of jobs you take on. If you build your business well, you are creating a valuable asset. And owning your own business is more secure than being an employee. But there are downsides to being self-employed. You have to manage your marketing, pricing, and yourself. This can be stressful, and if you don’t manage your business well, you can make a lot less than you would as an employee. It also takes time to get your business up and running (time that you aren’t paid for). As an employee, you have the benefit of making money right away. Every hour that you work, you are guaranteed to receive compensation. You don’t have to decide how much to charge or where to invest your marketing dollars. You just get to show up and fix stuff. Being an employee is often less stressful. However, you don’t have control over your schedule as an employee. You must work when, where, and for whom you are told. You may have to take on jobs that you hate doing. And, of course, your income potential is significantly lower. Starting a business is a clear choice for me, and the benefits far outweigh the downsides. But if you are looking for on-the-job training, a faster route to payday, or a more consistent income, and you don’t mind following orders, then getting a job may be a better choice. What about the cost of health insurance for self-employed handymen? Many self-employed pros are covered under their spouse’s health benefits. But what if you aren’t? Are you better off getting a job with benefits than starting a business? Probably not. Let’s take a look at some numbers. According to ehealthinsurance.com: The average monthly premium for an individual in 2021 was $484 ($5,808 per year). The average monthly premium for a family was $1230 ($14,760 per year). Paying health insurance is a huge bummer, but it’s probably not expensive enough to force you to get a job. Let’s take a look at the numbers. Above, I demonstrated that the average self-employed handyman could expect to make between $53,000 and $120,000. If we factor in health insurance, here’s how things change. Estimated self-employed handyman income after paying for health insurance: $47,000 to $111,000 if paying for individual coverage. $38,000 to $102,000 if paying for a family health insurance premium. Now, remember from above that 71% of handyman employees earn between $42,000 and $63,000. Comparing those to the self-employed rates, you can still make significantly more as a self-employed handyman, even while paying for your own health insurance. But not all handyman employers offer insurance benefits, and those that do probably pay their employees slightly lower salaries. So again, the winner from a financial perspective is clear – you can make much more money as a self-employed handyman. Conclusions The handyman business can be quite profitable, especially if you are willing to work hard and focus some time and effort on learning essential business skills. An effective self-employed handyman can earn significantly more than they could as an employee. If you are a self-driven person with the confidence that you can solve problems, starting your own handyman business is your best bet. And lastly, as a self-employed handyman, it’s worth it to invest time and money to learn how to raise your rates or schedule jobs more efficiently. Doing so will have a significant impact on your income. Now, listen to the podcast version of this article, which includes extra content with deeper insights. Listen right here or on your favorite podcast app! HS026 – How much money can you make as a pro handyman? The post How much can you make as a pro handyman? appeared first on Handyman Startup.

There is a lot of advice on how to start a business and escape your day job, but little of it is practical or even effective. In this episode, I discuss a practical method for replacing your income in as little as six months, along with the most important traps to avoid. You'll learn which types of businesses to avoid and what category of business to focus on.

Overcoming fear is an essential step to starting any new business. Fear is also something that everyone deals with. In this episode, I discuss six different fears related to starting a handyman business - everything from the fear of not being good enough to the fear of your business failing. I also discuss imposter syndrome, as well as how different fears can stop your progress or make you undervalue your time and limit your profits. If you find yourself procrastinating on starting your business or avoiding certain things you know you want to do, there's a good chance fear is an underlying issue.

Need help with your bookkeeping or accounting? Good news! In this episode, I interview Randal DeHart, the leading expert in outsourced construction bookkeeping and accounting services for small construction companies across the USA. And,Randal isn’t just an accountant, he’s also a former plumbing contractor with twenty years of experience. Not only does he understand handyman businesses from a accounting perspective, he understands it from the contractor’s perspective. Randal’s been involved in the construction industry pretty much since he was born as his dad was a contractor. After going to school to become an accountant, he decided, like many of us, that he didn’t want to work in an office. So he changed his direction and set out to become a plumber. After very successfully starting, growing, and selling his plumbing company, he got back into accounting and now does it full time, focusing solely on helping contractors, handyman, and other tradesman grow their businesses through an intelligent and strategic approach. I’m honored to have Randal on the show and I’ve personally gained a lot of highly valuable business knowledge from him. Here’s what we discuss in this episode: The biggest mistake new handymen make when choosing a business structure and how to avoid it. Randal’s definition of a quality service (it’s more simple than you think.) How focusing on the right target customer (and he shares which ones) took his plumbing company to the next level. Why you should never have your bookkeeper do your taxes. and a whole lot more! Resources mentioned in the podcast: Get a free Contractor Services Bookkeeping Guide. Think and Grow Rich by Napolean Hill (affiliate link) $100K Handyman Pricing Guide (Has since been upgraded to an online course called “$100K Handyman Pricing“) Learn how much you’ll save in taxes by filing as an S corp in this article. To learn more about Randal DeHart: Listen to his podcast:  Contractor Success Map Visit his website:  FastEasyAccounting.com Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoyed this podcast!  If you did, and you’d like to hear more, please take a couple of minutes and leave a review on iTunes! The post HS023 – Business And Accounting Advice From Construction Accountant Randal Dehart appeared first on Handyman Startup.

Are you still on the fence with whether or not a handyman business can actually work?  Or, are you hesitant to get started?  If so, you’re going to get inspired by this episode where I share a great interview with brand new Australian handyman business owner, Justin Terrill. This is the first time I’ve had a handyman on the show who is just getting started, and it turned out amazing. Justin started his handyman business only a couple of months ago and is already booked out two weeks in advance while charging a premium for his services.  He was previously a teacher, when he realized that he enjoyed working with his hands much more.  So, he put his skills that he learned from working on a farm to good use and got started with his handyman business in Sydney, Australia. I got in touch with Justin when he contacted me to thank me for helping him get started.  As a member of the Handyman Web Academy (Now called Handyman Marketing Machine) and a reader of this blog, he took action on the knowledge that he learned and has had amazing results. It was inspiring to talk with Justin, and even though he’s just getting started, I learned a lot from him.  Whether you are just getting started or have been in business for a while, Justin’s got some great insights to share. Here’s what we cover in this episode: The marketing methods Justin used to jumpstart his business. Why customers aren’t just looking for the highest skilled handyman and what they want instead. How a handyman business is surprisingly profitable. Challenges of going from employee to business owner. Talking money with customers and tips for getting more comfortable. The importance of choosing your clients. Simple and effective tips for getting more referrals. The importance of a professional image. Resources mentioned in the Podcast The Handyman Web Academy (Has been updated and is now called “Handyman Marketing Machine“) Turn Your Skills Into Profit – Referred to as “the startup guide” in the podcast. Justin’s Website:  Prime Handyman Solutions Thanks for listening.  I hope you enjoyed this podcast.  If so, please do me a favor and leave a short written review on iTunes.  Also, be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! The post HS 022 – How to Jumpstart Your Handyman Business – Interview With Brand New Handyman Justin Terrill appeared first on Handyman Startup.

When I started my handyman business 3 years ago, I didn’t look like the typical handyman.  I didn’t have much experience, I didn’t have a reputation to help spread the word, and I looked like I was 18. Let’s just say customers weren’t sprinting to their phones in a mad dash to call me. That’s why I knew I’d have to go through extra steps to make myself look professional.  I had to find a way to look like I was actually an established business.  Otherwise, what reason would a customer have to even trust me? So, I spent some time branding my business.  I did all the things necessary to make it appear as if I’d been doing this for a while.  I went out of my way to differentiate myself from other handymen. As it turns out, overcompensating for my weakness ended up helping my business tremendously. Not only did the extra time branding my business convince customers I was worth hiring, but it increased my perceived value in their minds. The fact that I looked like I was a kid didn’t matter anymore.  I presented myself as if I had my shit together, and that was enough to convince them to at least give me a shot. Of course, haveing a pretty logo designed and putting on a uniform didn’t get me customers by itself.  I still had to put effort into generating leads.  But it certainly helped close the deal on many occassions and it continues to do so. That’s why in this podcast, I discuss the power of branding and tips for creating your brand.  Whether you are just getting started or have been in business for a while, a great brand can take your business to the next level. Here’s A Sample Of What I Cover in This Episode: 5 questions you must ask yourself before even naming your business. The steps I took and recommend to building a great brand on a budget. What a brand can do for your business. Tips for creating a brand that you are proud of and enjoy for years to come. Here are some resources mentioned: Free video training to help you generate leads 24/7 Fiverr.com – Get a decent log for just $5 A logo design you love, or 100% of your money back at 99designs.com  (affiliate link) As always, thanks for listening!  Be sure to subscribe in iTunes or Stitcher and leave me a review in iTunes! The post HS 021 – The Power of Branding Your Handyman Business (plus tips for success) appeared first on Handyman Startup.

Have you ever thought about becoming a franchisee? If so, you’re going to love this Interview. In this episode of the Handyman Startup podcast, I talk with Linda Stanfield, owner of Benjamin Franking Plumbing in Chandler, Arizona. Linda has worked with her husband to grow their own Benjamin Franklin Plumbing and has had a lot of success doing it.  She’s also a great person who is interested in improving the home service industry and is willing to share what she’s learned to help others. With over 15 years as a business owner, Linda has a lot of valuable lessons to teach and it was a pleasure having her on the show. Regardless of whether you are buying a plumbing franchise, or starting a handyman business, the insights that Linda shares are extremely valuable. Here are some of the topics we cover in this episode: How the home service industry is changing and what you need to do to adapt. The secret to giving amazing service. Benefits of becoming a franchisee. What to consider when purchasing a franchise. The power of simply wearing a uniform. The importance of learning your financials. The key metrics to focus on in your business. Recommended Resources Mentioned: The Handyman Web Academy – Online marketing made easy for the home service industry (Now called “Handyman Marketing Machine”). Linda’s personal website – LindaStanfield.com Linda’s book recommendation – “Where Did the Money Go?“ Thanks for listening!  And, if you haven’t yet done so, please leave a review on iTunes and let me know how I’m doing!  You may even get featured on the next episode. Comments or Questions? Have any thoughts on a topic for the next show?  Know somebody I should interview?  Or, just want to share your thoughts on this episode.  Let me know in the comments below! The post HS020 – An Inside Look At A Plumbing Franchise – Interview With Linda Stanfield appeared first on Handyman Startup.

Time for another episode of the Handyman Startup Podcast!  In this session, I sit down with social media expert, Rick Mulready. We’ve all been hearing the buzz about social media over the last couple years, and there is no doubt it can be a powerful marketing strategy for businesses of all sizes.  Just take a look at Dollar Shave Club, who built a business based on social media marketing almost exclusively. Social sites like Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, Instagram, and the like are reshaping how we think about promoting our businesses and as far as I can tell, they aren’t going away any time soon. That’s why I asked Rick Mulready of the Inside Social Media Podcast to join me to discuss how us handymen and other home service providers can take advantage of social media to get more customers. Rick  has over 12 years of corporate internet marketing experience gained from working for companies like AOL, Yahoo!, and Funny or Die. Now, he shares big brand social media strategies with small business owners on his podcast.  Social media is what he does.  Beyond that, he’s just a good dude.  So, I figured who better to share some valuable marketing advice with you! Here’s what we cover in this episode: What social media can do for your business. Which social media platforms YOU should be using. How to get the most from your social media efforts with a limited time investment. How to get more Facebook likes without shelling out your cash. Best practices for gaining traction on Facebook. Additional Resources: To Learn more from Rick, visit his site and podcast here:  RickMulready.com Lowe’s is doing a great job with Social Media.  Check out this article to learn from them. Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast, I’d be really thankful if you’d share it or reviewed it on iTunes.   Click here to share a pre-populated tweet.   Comments or Questions What’s your preferred social media platform?  Where do you hang out on the internet?  Let me know in the comments below! The post HS 013 – Social Media For The Handyman Business (Interview With Rick Mulready) appeared first on Handyman Startup.

In this episode of The Handyman Startup Podcast, I discuss a fundamental part of any good marketing strategy – Your story. You may be thinking, “who cares about my story, I’m just a regular dude starting a handyman business.” That’s what I thought when I first started my handyman business, too.  I thought customers just wanted to have an experienced handyman fix what they needed fixed and to leave when they were done. Man was I wrong. Customers do care about your story.  In fact, it can significantly impact their hiring decisions.  If you can craft a decent story that includes at least one of five key elements, you will not only attract more customers, but you’ll attract more loyal customers.  I’m talking about customers that recommend you to their friends, give you online reviews, and hire you over and over, without you even asking them too. My story has certainly helped me with my business, as it has with Christy Webber, Nick May, and Chris Maxwell-Gaines.  So, I spent some time researching and breaking down what makes a good story and why a good sales story is so effective.  I’ve recorded this podcast to share what I’ve learned with hopes that it will help your business. Enjoy! Here’s what I discuss in this episode: The 5 critical components of a good sales story. Examples of good sales stories. How to use your story to generate more leads and build loyalty. What a sales story is NOT. Additional Recommended Resources: Simon Sinek’s Ted Talk and Book:  “Start with Why“ Brene Brown’s Ted Talk on the power of vulnerability. Thanks for listening!  If you get a chance, I’d really appreciate a written review on iTunes to let me know what you think. The post HS019 – How To Craft A Sales Story That Attracts Customers And Builds Loyalty appeared first on Handyman Startup.

In this episode of the Handyman Startup Podcast, I sit down with Ed Padilla, founder of ACHP (Association of Certified Handyman Professionals). Ed has a really interesting story.  After being trapped in the corporate rat race for several years, he realized that he wanted something else.  So, he quit his job and capitalized on the demand he could see present for home repairs. In 2006 he started Padilla Home Inspection and Handyman Services.  Soon after getting started, he noticed that handymen had a terrible reputation in the eyes of homeowners.  Tired of getting the stink-eye every time he entered a home, he had the urge to change this perspective. Three years later, he took action and created ACHP, a non-profit, member based organization  to help handymen all over the country appear more reputable to homeowners.  Now, ACHP is growing and offering benefits to it’s members such as great insurance rates. I’m honored to have Ed on the podcast.  He’s doing great things for the handyman industry and by listening to him you get the sense that he really cares about our industry. Here’s what we cover in this episode: Where to go for your general liability insurance and what to consider. Insights into the home inspection industry. How to limit liability as a home inspector and handyman business. The importance of confidence when starting your own business. The most important skills you need as a handyman. Quality over quantity.  The benefit of taking your time on your jobs. What is the ACHP and why is it important? Resources mentioned in the podcast: ACHP website (go here for general liability quotes and more) ACHP LinkedIn Group (Great place to interact with other handymen even if you’re not a member of ACHP) Handyman Web Academy – Learn the best strategies for getting customers. (Now called “Handyman Marketing Machine”) The post HS018 – Interview With Ed Padilla: Home Inspector, Handyman, and Founder of ACHP appeared first on Handyman Startup.

In this episode of the Handyman Startup Podcast I’ve got a special guest – Chuck Solomon.  Chuck is a former handyman business owner, an author of multiple books, and a business consultant. He’s literally written the book on how to start and grow a handyman business.  (See resources below for a link.)  He’s also just an all around nice guy who’s looking to help tradesmen like you grow your business. Just like most handymen, Chuck kind of fell into the business and before he knew it had a list of customers asking him to do all kinds of work.  He capitalized on the opportunity, offered excellent service, and soon enough he was running a successful biz. After 10 years, Chuck decided to hang his hat and sell his business and became a consultant.  He’s now using the valuable knowledge he gained during his own journey to help others. Back in episode #10, Jim Copenhaver talks about the importance of mentors.  Chuck was one of the mentor’s he was speaking of who helped him build his business. Talking to Chuck in this episode is very humbling as it makes me realize that there is still a lot I can learn about this business. Here are a few things we cover in this episode: Why you shouldn’t give free quotes and what to do instead. How to build instant credibility with customers. Who you should hire first if you’re looking to grow. How to find and hire skilled labor step by step. How to qualify customers and avoid tire kickers before they waste your time. Resources mentioned in the podcast: Chuck’s books:  “Building Your Successful Handyman Business” & “Upkeep“ Chuck’s website:  ChuckSolomon.com (Want help growing your business?  Chuck offers consulting services.  Contact him through his website.) The Handyman Web Academy – Learn how to generate your own leads online. (Now called “Handyman Marketing Machine”) Thanks for listening!  And if you get a chance, be sure to leave a written review on iTunes.  It helps me tremendously and you may even get a shout-out on the next episode. The post HS017 – Grow Your Handyman Business With Chuck Solomon appeared first on Handyman Startup.

In this episode of the Handyman Startup Podcast I share 7 of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned in the last 3 years in business.  These are lessons that have changed my mindset and the way I view business, people, and the world in general. Today marks exactly three years since I quit my engineering job and decided to venture out on my own in an attempt to control my own destiny and design a better life for myself. Deciding to quit on that day was the best (and hardest) decision I’ve ever made for myself.  Because of that decision I was able to start a successful handyman business, create this website, and enjoy the entire experience (well, most of it). That’s pretty cool considering that while working as an engineer I was depressed, out of shape, and really unhappy.  Things have pretty much made a 180 degree turn for the better. While quitting my job was a great decision, it wasn’t always easy.  There were a lot of struggles over the last three years and many times where I wanted to give up and just go get another job.  There’s a steep learning curve as a beginning entrepreneur.  But, with the support of my readers, friends, and family I was able to stick it out. Through those struggles I learned a LOT, often times things that I didn’t even know I needed to learn.  That’s what this latest podcast is all about – those major lessons I’ve learned along the way. I’m excited to share these with you today because they are things I think about all the time.  It’s great to share my story with the hope that it may help you along your journey to dominate life and start a successful handyman business. Here is a sneak peak of what you can expect in this episode: Why you shouldn’t care if a customers say your too expensive. Why saying no is such a valuable skill. Why you shouldn’t even worry about your competition. How to learn what you don’t know you don’t know. My best tips and secrets on how to enjoy this business to the fullest and design it exactly how you want. Related Resources: How to get more customers – Handyman Marketing Machine The Ultimate Handyman Pricing Guide Michael Port – Book Yourself Solid JamesAltucher.com  (I don’t mention this in the podcast, but I think his blog is worth mentioning.  Check it out.) Thanks for listening and if you get a chance, please leave a written review on iTunes.  It helps the show gain more exposure and you may even get featured on the next podcast. Comments or Questions What is the most valuable lesson you’ve learned since starting your business?  Or, if you haven’t started yet, which one of my lessons hit home the most?  Let me know in the comments below! The post HS 016 – 7 Lessons Learned From 3 Years In Business appeared first on Handyman Startup.

In this episode of the Handyman Startup Podcast, I’ve got something special for all you landscaping contractors out there. I bring on Christy Webber of Christy Webber Landscapes in Chicago, IL and uncover her story and how she went from a small town lady mowing lawns, to running one of the largest Landscaping companies in Chicago. I know this isn’t the typical type of guest I bring on the show and Christy isn’t a handyman, but the lessons she shares are applicable to all trades. Christy’s story is incredible, especially considering that she didn’t graduate with a business degree.  In fact, her education was in physical education.  She knew nothing about operating a business and just got started mowing lawns.  And that’s the key to her success, she just got started. Her determined attitude and love for her job helped her build a business that currently employs roughly 400 people!  Listen in to find out how. Here’s what we cover in this episode: Why some companies fail in bad economic times and others succeed. How to scale a service business even if business isn’t your strong suit. How integrating your story into your business can get your customers working to help you. Struggles with employees and how to deal with them. How to overcome fear and finally get started with your business. How brutal honesty with your customers can take your business to the next level. The importance of letting go and allowing others to help you. Links and Resources Check out Christy’s website here. Handyman Web Academy Info (Now called Handyman Marketing Machine) As always, thanks for listening!  And a special thanks to Christy Webber for joining me on the podcast and sharing her story to help others succeed. CLICK HERE to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes. Comments or Questions Did you find Christy’s story inspiring?  If so, let me know in the comments below.  Then, sign up for my e-mail newsletter to get updates when future episodes are released. The post HS 015 – How To Go From Mowing Lawns to $32 Million In Revenue With Christy Webber appeared first on Handyman Startup.

Looking for an easy way to increase your profitability?  Consider limiting your service area.  That’s what Michael Rodriguez (a.k.a MROD) of BelleCreak Handyman & Remodeling did. In fact, he built his business while focusing primarily on a single subdivision.  Listen in to this episode of the Handyman Startup Podcast to learn all about it. I’m fascinated with what Michael and his partner Alex were able to achieve.  It really goes to show how in demand a good handyman service can be. Now, I understand that is may sound counterintuitive that limiting your service area can actually be more profitable, but it actually makes a lot of sense.  Here are some of the benefits of limiting your service area. Save time – Time is your most valuable asset and you want to use it wisely.  Driving all over town all day isn’t providing any value to your customer, and it’s wasting your time, especially when there are plenty of customers within a small area to keep more than one guy busy. Save Money – Gas isn’t cheap, neither are tires and regular car maintenance.  Why travel extra miles when you have plenty of work close to you? Better service – By limiting your area, you can actually provide a better service.  You’ll have a faster response time and be more available to your customers. Increase Profitability – You have two options to increase your profits when limiting your service area.  You can either pocket the time and money savings, or you can lower your prices to stay more competitive.  Either way, your profits will likely rise. In this episode… In this episode of the Handyman Startup Podcast, I sit down with Michael Rodriguez and discuss exactly how he built his business with a very limited service area. That’s not all we cover, either.  MROD was generous enough to share his best practices and what he’s learned while building his business.   Here’s what to expect in this episode: A cheap and effective method for generating leads.  (Hint:  Anyone can start using this right away) How to build a successful business in a single subdivision. The power of having a partner in this business. How to sell more services to your customers once you’re in the door. An easy way to make your customers feel special and build instant trust. Plus a whole bunch of handyman business insight from a handyman who just got started last year. Links & Resources BelleCreek Handyman – bchandy.com ThumbTack.com Interview with a Californian handyman – Here is another example of an interview with a handyman who introduced me to the idea of limiting my service area. The E-Myth Landscape Contractor – Mike highly recommended this book and says that it’s very applicable to handyman business.   (affiliate link) Thanks for listening!  And thanks to Michael Rodriguez for sharing what he’s learned to help others.  I definitely appreciate him taking the time out of his busy schedule. I always enjoy connecting with other handymen and hearing their stories andI hope you enjoy it, too! Know anybody else who would like the podcast?  If so, do them and me a favor and share it! Comments or Questions Do you limit your service area?  If so, how has it effected your business?  Let me know in the comments below! The post HS 014 – How To SERIOUSLY Limit Your Service Area appeared first on Handyman Startup.

Hire artists for contracting? That’s what Nick May, founder of Walls By Design, did. He’s a successful interior painting contractor with over 14 years of experience and get this, he only hires artists!  Surprised?  Be sure to listen to this episode to find out why. Here are some other topics we cover in this interview: Why targeting high end customers actually brings in a wide variety of customers and gets your phone to ring. A unique way that Nick builds relationships with industry partners in order to get into those million dollar homes. How hiring employees makes you better at what you do. How to hire your first employee (more specifically, how I should hire my first employee.)  Where to look, who to hire, and when. While Nick isn’t a handyman, his knowledge and ideas can be applied to any home service business.  He has a ton of great marketing info to share and you can hear is passion while he talks about how to get more customers.  Here is my favorite quote from the interview: “Almost all marketing methods will work for somebody.  You’ve got to find what works for you.” Wise words for sure. Other important notes from the podcast: Are you looking to get the phone to ring with quality customers?  I’ve got your back.  I’m currently preparing to launch the Handyman Web Academy in January, and it’s going to be better than ever.  I’m using the feedback I’ve received from those who signed up in October to make a great product even better. In the mean time, how would you like some FREE video training on how to get your phone to ring?  I’m working on it right now and it will be ready soon, sign up here to get access when it’s ready (it won’t be posted on the blog). As always, if you enjoy the podcast, please show me some support and give me a review on iTunes!  I’d really appreciate it. The post Interview With Successful Painting Contractor Nick May appeared first on Handyman Startup.

In this episode of the Handyman Startup Podcast, I bring on Chris Maxwell-Gaines, co-founder of Innovative Water Solutions in Austin, TX. Chris started his home service business back in 2004 and has since grown it to the point of having 14 employees and over a million dollars in revenue.  He’s got a lot to share from his 10 years of experience.  So, I brought him onto the show so you can benefit from his knowledge and grow your business. I love Chris’s story because he started his business without a plan and was literally wingin’ it in the beginning.  He had his first customer sold before he even had a service to offer!  10 years later he’s reaping the benefits of his courage.  A great example of why you should just get started. Here are a few highlights from the interview: How crafting a story can jumpstart your business. A powerful way to use web based content marketing. Strategic partners and what they can do for your business. Why wingin’ it is sometimes the best option and why you should just get started. Chris doesn’t provide handyman services, instead he installs and maintains water caching systems, among various other services.  However, his insights and tips can be applied to any home service business. For those of you interested in water conservation systems, Chris is your man.  Not only can he install them for you but he is offering a comprehensive training program for contractor’s looking to add water conservation services to their businesses.  If you’re looking to add another revenue stream, be sure to contact Chris and he’ll get you set on the right path. The post Crafting A Sales Story, Strategic Partnerships, and The Power of Wingin’ It. appeared first on Handyman Startup.

It’s been a while since my last podcast, so I wanted to bring The Handyman Startup Podcast back with a bang! In this episode, I interview Jim Copenhaver, a successful handyman business owner from Chicago, IL. Jim has successfully built Punch List, a thriving handyman business that currently employs at least 4 full-time handymen.  But get this, he’s only been in business for a about a year and a half! He obviously knows what he’s doing, that’s why I asked him to join me on the Handyman Startup Podcast so I could pick his brain and share his secrets with you. Here are some of the things we cover in this episode: Why finding a mentor can skyrocket your success. The challenges of having employees. How to hire and keep good employees. Why milking the clock will actually lose you money in the long run. Why Jim charges hourly for most of his services. How to use the power of online reviews to grow your business faster than ever. and much more. Whether you are looking to go big and hire employees or just want to keep rollin’ solo, this interview is packed with golden nuggets of tips and advice that will propel you forward with your business. After listening to the review, I’d love it if you’d do two things: #1:  Leave a comment below telling me the most valuable thing you gained from this podcast. #2:  Leave me a review on iTunes! (if you haven’t already) The post The Importance of Mentors, Sticking To Your Guns On Pricing, and the Power of Online Reviews appeared first on Handyman Startup.

In this session of the Handyman Startup Podcast, I share five of my most valuable time saving tips that I use every day in my business. As a handyman or other home service provider, you get paid for your time.  Time is a form of currency, with one major difference from other currencies – you can never get more time. That being said, it’s obvious why saving a few seconds, minutes, or even hours each day is extremely valuable – in fact, it’s priceless! That’s why I’ve decided to share these 5 tips with you so you can enjoy the many benefits of more time.  Who doesn’t want more time? Here are some of the highlights of this podcast: 5 easy to implement time saving tips that you can start using today. Why saving time is so important to not only your free time, but the growth of your business. BONUS TIP:  A tool I use everyday to literally save hours each week.  (hint:  It’s less than $20) Mentioned in this podcast: My marketing course for handymen.  Click Here to learn more. Tim Ferriss blog post on saying no. The post 5 Time Saving Tips That Will Shave Hours Off Your Work Week appeared first on Handyman Startup.

As a home service professional, developing new skills to keep up with the competition is necessary.  For handymen, learning new skills is basically our job description. Not only is learning new skills important, but learning how to learn new skills efficiently is getting ever more important.  We are now in what is commonly known as the information age.  That means it is easier than ever to get starting with your business, but it also means that more people have access to quality information.  That means more competition. This tells me that in order to get ahead and pull away from the pack, developing a system for learning rapidly could mean the difference between success and failure. In this podcast, I discuss: 4 methods for developing your home repair skills. How I gained my handyman experience and skill set. My method for developing new skills (while getting paid). 3 Tips to accelerate your learning process. This podcast was designed to help you develop your home repair skills, but the methods described are applicable to any skill. Enjoy! The post How To Learn Any Skill And Get Paid To Do It appeared first on Handyman Startup.

I’m taking the entire week off from my handyman services to celebrate Independence Day, and I couldn’t be more thankful for the opportunity. This excitement about the ability to control my schedule and take time off at will has my brain turning with all of the benefits of owning a small business, specifically, a handyman business. You see, two years ago, I was still working at an office job that I, for lack of a better word, hated. I don’t mean to be negative, but it’s true. I had been working at this desk job for the previous three and a half years, and every day seemed like a little bit more of my soul was draining away. I sat at my desk feeling imprisoned from 8 am to 6 pm every. Single. Day. I was 28, unhappy, unhealthy, and clawing desperately to gain the courage to turn things around and improve my life. Finally, I mustered up the courage to say, “screw a good paycheck and full benefits, I’m unhappy, and something needs to change.” So on Monday, May 3rd of 2011, I put in my notice, and two weeks later, I was free! On that day, I decided I would never live a life suppressed by “the man.” Quitting my job and starting my handyman business was one of the best decisions. So in this podcast episode, I discuss the many benefits of owning a handyman business and some of the disadvantages. This podcast is meant to help you decide if the handyman business is right for you. And if you’ve already started a home repair business, it will make you happy you did! Here are some of the key points: The many financial benefits of starting a handyman business. The many Lifestyle benefits of starting a handyman business. The financial and lifestyle drawbacks of the handyman business. The must-have personal characteristics of a good handyman business owner. Why I chose to start a handyman business in the first place It took me a long time and some deep soul searching before I finally decided to start a handyman business. I had so many questions before getting started. Like… How much does a handyman make? What skills do you need? Is there too much competition already? Are there better business opportunities out there? But ultimately, when I stepped back to analyze what I wanted from a career, the decision became clear. Instead of trying to compare the infinite options of careers available, I defined the things that were most important to me in a career. I started with a lifestyle design approach. You may have heard of lifestyle design before, but maybe not. Either way, I believe deliberately designing your life is one of the keys to being happy. Unfortunately, most of us spend our time submitting to society and letting the masses force their values upon us. We constantly think that we “need” to do something based on whatever influences we’ve had along the way. It’s important to break away from this thought process and figure out what you want and what makes you happy on a day-to-day basis. Otherwise, your only chance at satisfaction is to get lucky. The practice of lifestyle design starts with one simple question. What do you want? Pretend for a minute that you have Bill Gates’s bankroll and zero responsibilities. How would you fill your time? Seriously, take two minutes to think about this. You could travel the world on your own yacht, buy the Laker’s franchise, and own every sports car you can get your hands on. But I seriously doubt this will provide you with long-term fulfillment. So, think for a while about what you really want in life. What makes you happy? When do you feel best? At what point in your life were you the happiest, and why? Hopefully, these questions will give you insight into whether a handyman business is right for you. If you are like me, you’ll realize that it’s not about the end goal. It’s about enjoying yourself as much as possible along the way. I can honestly say that if I didn’t have to work, I would still want to be help people. It just makes me feel good. When I asked myself the questions above, I came up with a list of benefits that I wanted from a career. Some of these benefits are absolute must-haves, and others would be nice but unnecessary. Here’s the list I came up with. Freedom – I have a bit of a problem with authority and don’t like being told what to do. Business ownership was the only choice. I have the freedom of taking time off when necessary and not a measly two weeks per year. Working in the physical world. Computers are amazing, but they’ll drain your soul if you let them. Plus, I just feel way better when I’ve been up and moving all day. Challenge. If I’m comfortable, I’m bored. Life’s too short to be boring. Take risks and leave your comfort zone. It’s the best way to learn and the only way to accomplish great things. Options. I like having several doors to choose from. If you reach a point where you only have one option to move forward, move back instead. Then choose a different door. When you are self-employed, there are always multiple doors. Control – I like to call the shots and can’t stand when I’m working for someone I know is making poor decisions. To be necessary. It’s important to me to matter, even if it is just to an old lady that needs her curtains hung. Last but not least, good money. Money is necessary because it enables me to do the things I enjoy and provide for my kids. If I could go back and live with the Native Americans 300 years ago, I would and wouldn’t give a shit about money. But let’s face it, I can’t do that. When I considered everything else, I finally decided that a handyman business was one of the few careers that fit the bill. And it turns out I was right. Starting a handyman business has allowed me to choose when I work, what I work on, and how hard I work. I get to work with my hands every day instead of sitting behind a desk. I get to be challenged both mentally and physically to keep my mind a body strong. And I have a sense of purpose because I’m providing a necessary service that customers thank me for as they pay me (the pay is nice, too). There are several other careers or service businesses that could potentially provide the same fulfillment, but other factors pushed me toward a handyman service. The fact that it’s low-cost to get started was a big factor. It’s also very low-risk. Plus, I already had many of the skills required and didn’t need to go back to school to get started. Of course, there are some downsides to running a handyman business. One is that it can be hard work, and If I’m not working, I’m not making any money. Another con is that the handyman business is difficult to scale. Employees need to be well-rounded, very knowledgeable, reliable, and willing to work hard. So if you want to hire employees and build a big business, I think there are better business opportunities (like picking a specialty). Another disadvantage is that you have to do everything and make all the tough decisions yourself. This often means tedious paperwork and slightly higher stress levels while making bigger business decisions. So yes, there are cons, but there are disadvantages to everything. If you choose your career based on avoiding the bad, you’ll never find interesting work that you enjoy. Everything sucks part of the time. I hope you’ve found this helpful, and it has illuminated some of the benefits that being a pro handyman can bring. If you want to learn more, I recommend listening to the podcast episode further up the page or on iTunes or your favorite podcast player. The post Why You Should (or Shouldn’t) Start a Handyman Business appeared first on Handyman Startup.

Welcome to my May 2013 monthly income report!  I’ve been writing these reports each month since I started my business and this marks my 18th month in business as a handyman.  1.5 years baby! For those of you that enjoy my podcast, good news!  This month, you can listen to my monthly report as I’ve featured it on the Handyman Startup Podcast.  You can find it in the itunes store or listen to it directly from this page (bottom of page).  Enjoy, and don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review! In these reports I share my income for each month, how I made that money, how much it cost to make that money, and anything interesting that happened along the way.  I also share tips to help you dominate the home service industry. If you are first time reader of the blog, I’m not rich (yet :)).  In fact, this is my first business and I still have a lot to learn.  However, I’ve successfully created an income stream that supports my lifestyle doing something that I enjoy and have complete freedom over.    I used to work as a mechanical engineer and absolutely hated what I did.  Somehow, I mustered up the courage to quit and start something on my own.  It was the best career decision I’ve ever made.  Now, I’d like to help you create the same level of freedom that I’ve created.  May was an awesome month for my handyman business.  I continued to grow my client list despite the fact that I limited my schedule to only 3 days a week and have put zero effort into advertising in the last several months.  Not only did I gain customers, but I was more profitable than I have been since January of this year.  Old customers that I thought I’d lost were even calling me for more service. Schedule Upgrade – Part 2 I’m really exciting about this… In last month’s income report, I discussed limiting my workdays to only 3 days a week.  I did this so I could pack my schedule into less days giving me more time to work on this website and a product that I’m working on.  My goal was to only schedule customers on Monday through Wednesday while answering the phone the rest of the week.  Now that I’ve been doing this for over a month, I’d like to share my results, which are pretty awesome. Previously, I’d been scheduling jobs throughout the week and even work an occasional weekend.  When I did this, I’d leave a ton of time in between jobs just in case one of my jobs ended up taking longer.  Additionally, I would usually schedule one job a day until I filled up a week and then start stacking jobs up once I had a job for each day booked.  This naturally led to a lot of downtime in between jobs where I wasn’t making money or doing anything else productive.  I was wasting a LOT of time. Now, with my new schedule, I only schedule jobs Mon-Wed and pack the jobs much closer together.  This takes a little more finesse to avoid scheduling mis-haps, but it’s way more efficient.  I’ve scheduled up to 5 customer in a single day so far – a significant increase over the the 2 I’d have scheduled before.  Take a look at the pictures below to see the difference between the two schedules. Example of a weeks schedule using my old scheduling method. (16.5 Billable Hours) A weeks schedule using my new method. (21 Billable Hours) As you can see, my old scheduling method wasted a lot of time in between jobs and took up the entire week.  My new method of scheduling doesn’t waste much time between jobs and packs the same amount of work into just three days!  So I’ve managed to work less days and make just as much money. Another benefit of this is that I’m now consistently scheduled out at least one week.  That means I know exactly what I’m doing for the entire next week and allows me to make fewer trips to Home Depot.  If I do everything right and plan accordingly, this could reduce my trips to the hardware store by half. Sound enticing?  Why not apply this to your business and have more free time to spend doing other things you enjoy? It’s The Busy Season Spring is THE time for home improvement projects.  Just go to Home Depot next Saturday and you’ll see what I mean. With my handyman business it was no different.  Sometimes it felt like I couldn’t get away from the phone for 5 minutes without it ringing.  Since I’m only working 3 days a week, I ended up turning down a lot of business.  In fact, I could have easily done another 2 to 3 grand in work if I was as hungry as I was last year. While constantly answering the phone can get annoying at times, there are some good side effects of being too busy. One, I could be much more selective about jobs.  If a customer lived too far away or was asking for work that I don’t like to do, I would just turn them down.  I’d either say that I didn’t service their area or that I didn’t do that kind of work.  Existing customers are an exception to this, however.  If a customer is willing to hire me over and over, I’ll do my best to help them whenever I can. Secondly, I could bid a little higher on jobs without having to worry about losing the business.  If I didn’t get a job, I was sure I could fill my time with another.  If I did get the job, I made good money doing it. Last year, I also did very well in the month of May.  Even though it was only my 6th month in business, I was able to bring in $5,300.  It had to work a whole lot more than I do now to get make that, but I was still able to make really good money because there is so much business during spring time. Times may be good now, but… Don’t Get Too Cocky Even though things are going awesome right now, I can’t let myself get too confident. When business is going this good, it’s really easy to think you have everything figured out and that it will always be this way.  Just like when things are really slow and you wonder if they’ll ever pick up.  Like I’ve said before, it’s a roller coaster of emotional highs and lows. And just like not letting the slow times get to you, it’s also important not to get too cocky when business is flourishing.  This could lead to getting sloppy with customer service or not treating clients the way they should be treated.  This has happened to me in the past and trust me, I regretted it during the slower periods. I’ve found that if somebody is your ideal client, you should do whatever you can to service them to a high standard.  But, this doesn’t mean you should serve everybody.  Wasting your time on the wrong customers will lead to failure just as fast as not treating the good clients well. Either way, it’s important to realize that there are other people that are willing and able to swoop in and take your best clients.  No matter how busy you are, always provide the same quality of service and treat everyone with respect. Income and Expenses Income: Existing Customers:  $2,457.25 Search Engines:  $2,640 Referrals:  $489 Expenses: Direct Job Costs: $999.35 Phone:  $69.82 Mileage:  $245.78 Insurance:  $94 Tools:  $39.62 Total Income:          $5,586.25 Total Expenses:        $1448.57 Net Profit:            $4,137.68  (last month:  $2,882.19) Billable Hours:  70.5 Income from Labor:  $4,486.97 Average Hourly Rate:  $63.64 I’m not sure it can be any more ideal than this (other than making more per hour).  I was able to stick to my 3 day a week schedule and still have the second most profitable month of the year. Sure, I could have made more money if I work all 5 days, but like I’ve said a thousand times before, money is not my only goal.  I can always make more money, time is the one thing I can’t make more of. Some of the numbers that I find really interesting here are my income numbers compared to my vehicle mileage.  By reducing the number of days I work, It looks like I’ve also been able to reduce the ratio between driving and working.  Not really sure how, but the numbers don’t lie.  This was the cheapest month in terms of vehicle mileage out of the whole year. In addition to the fact that packing jobs closer together is more efficient, I think that turning down jobs that were too far away was a contributor to the decrease in driving.  Also, I turned down jobs that seems like they were a waste of time (even if they were close) instead of driving out, quoting, and then not getting the job. Overall, I think the change I’ve made to my schedule was a great choice and I plan to continue with this schedule to see how it works out. Monthly Goals This month I met both of my goals – To maintain a $60/hour rate and to only work 3 days a week.  Feels good when it works out that way. But, how can I make this business even better and more enjoyable? I’m thinking the next step is to limit my service area for new clients.  I figure that by making my service area smaller and smaller I will save a ton of time and will be more profitable.  I’ll always continue to service my existing clients even if they live outside of that area, but maybe I can filter out new clients with this method?  I guess it’s worth a try. I don’t think it’s a smart move to just jump into this big of a change head first.  So, my goal for this month is to investigate the possibility. The post My Monthly Report – May 2013 appeared first on Handyman Startup.

It’s no secret that internet marketing is where it’s at these days whether you are selling a product online or trying to generate new leads for your handyman business.  Other marketing methods such as direct mail and flyers are also effective, but they cost more and are (in my opinion) more difficult to execute properly. In this episode of the Handyman Startup podcast, I share my most powerful online marketing strategy for my handyman business – blogging for business. The blog posts I have created for my handyman business website have driven customers my way starting as early as my third month in business.  Not only  that, but blog posts I wrote over a year ago are still bringing me high quality customers every week.  The beautiful thing is that each blog post I write only takes a couple of hours maximum.  Talk about ROI! These blog posts have allowed me to turn off all other forms of advertising and still have more than enough business to keep me satisfied. Here is a brief outline of what you can expect in this podcast: How to get leads from writing blog posts on your handyman business website. How blogging builds trust and makes selling your services even easier. Why you should start blogging right away. My personal blogging strategy and process for creating blog posts. Recommendations on what to do and what NOT to do when blogging. Resources mentioned in the Podcast How to build a website Recommended Website and Blogging Platform:  WordPress  Thanks! Thank you for listening.  I’m honored to have the ability to share my experiences and knowledge to help you along your path to dominating your business ventures.  Be sure to subscribe in iTunes so you don’t miss an episode. The post HS 005 – Blogging For Business (How to Turn Your Knowledge Into Leads) appeared first on Handyman Startup.