Building a Career as a Handyman – What You Need to Know
For those who enjoy doing repairs, building things, and working with their hands, becoming a handyman can be a great career path. Handymen provide a wide range of maintenance and repair services for residential and commercial customers. The job involves using practical skills to complete a variety of odd jobs and small projects around the home or business.
The handyman profession has grown significantly in recent years, driven by an ageing housing stock, growth of the rental market, and busy homeowners who lack the time or skills to complete home repairs and improvements themselves. This increasing demand makes now an opportune time to start a handyman business.
Skills and Knowledge Needed
To be successful as a handyman, you’ll need a broad range of practical skills and knowledge covering areas like:
- General maintenance – Plumbing, carpentry, painting, decorating, tiling, etc.
- Electrical work – Installing lighting, replacing switches and sockets, etc.
- DIY skills – Assembling flatpack furniture, hanging pictures and mirrors, etc.
- Outdoor work – Gardening, fence and deck building, patio cleaning, etc.
- Customer service – Communicating effectively, managing expectations, etc.
Many handymen start out with experience doing DIY projects around their own home. Practical knowledge gained from previous trade jobs in areas like construction or plumbing can also give a solid foundation.
Ongoing professional development through courses and certifications can expand your skillset. Health and safety training is also a must.
Building a Customer Base
Once qualified, the next step is generating a steady stream of handyman jobs. Effective marketing and customer service will be critical. Key strategies include:
- Creating a professional website highlighting services offered. This gives potential customers an easy way to find you.
- Distributing printed flyers and business cards in your local area. Mailbox drops and leaving flyers in local shops and noticeboards can generate enquiries.
- Advertising on online directories and local community websites. These provide exposure to homeowners searching for handymen online.
- Joining referral networks and promoting to local estate agents. These third parties can pass leads on to you.
- Asking satisfied customers to provide reviews and spread the word about your services. Word of mouth is powerful for growing a customer base.
Registering Your Business
Operating legally is essential. You’ll need to register as self-employed with HMRC to handle tax obligations. Depending on the handyman services you offer, you may also need to register for VAT.
Public liability insurance is also a requirement, protecting you and your customers in case of damage or injuries when working. With insurance secured, promoting the coverage you have will give customers confidence in hiring you.
Many handymen choose to operate as sole traders to minimise administrative work. But registering a limited company can be beneficial as your business grows. This separates your business finances from your personal ones.
Invest in a Van and Tools
A van is an essential purchase when starting a handyman business, providing transport and storage for tools/materials. Focus on a mid-sized, fuel-efficient van, such as a used Ford custom van. Allow sufficient budget for high-quality hand and power tools. Buy key tools initially, expanding your inventory as your business grows.
Becoming a successful handyman takes patience and hard work, but can be incredibly rewarding. If you have the practical skills, knowledge, and passion for repairing and building things, establishing yourself as an in-demand handyman in your local area is an attainable goal. Use the strategies outlined to get your new handyman business up and running.