So you want to be a handyman? Well i must say it's quite the lucrative business if you have time to invest and aren't overloaded with monthly expenses beyond what you can reasonably make starting out.
With that being said, you have to build trust in the community. The best way to do that is catering to those willing to risk hiring you. Those that are willing to hire you are doing so knowing you have no history, no referrals and probably not legal which means you don't have the minimum requirements to call yourself a business which also means you're not insured. (You really should at least acquire the minimum to be legally working for yourself, you run the risk of penalties which is not something you want to be dealing with. Also shows the community you have avenues of accountability, that's an important part of building the trust of the community). Be affordable for those on a fixed income. I started out with the hourly rate of the job i left which was 22/hr @ 40hrs/wk 5day work week. If I was able to schedule and space out the work to come to at least 176 dollars a day I'm ok I know I can live on that, so that's where I started. My first jobs were simple, so simple that I honestly couldn't believe people were willing to pay for me to do them. Hanging pictures was a popular one and so was anything involving a ladder. Most of my beginnings customers were elderly or those with mobility restrictions so these were the types of jobs they usually had available and they were also able to afford my services. Just know that a very large part of your job is also doing a lot of talking because these types of people usually stuck at home alone and get lonely so be nice! These customers are your foundation. If they like you, your name will spread like wildfire so be prepared. Have your voicemail set up appropriately so people know they have the right person, because if you leave it set to the robot they will probably just hang up.
Tools, you don't need thousands or hundreds of dollars in tools to start out. Hit up thrift stores and garage sales. You can find a lot of what you need at a fraction of the cost. The only tools I would buy new are the power tools (drill/driver). Don't get ahead of yourself and start going crazy with tools and putting yourself in debt which will in return push you to have to charge more of move to quickly into jobs you aren't qualified to be doing yet. Take it slow and let the business grow on it's own by you doing the best work affordably. The bigger paying jobs will come with time. Consistency is more important than a big job once in a while just stay loyal to your customers and true to your business morals. If you build your handyman business like this i guarantee you grow with minimal investment into a thriving 6 figure business within 3 years.
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