How to Start a Handyman Business
A handyman can provide multiple home repair and maintenance services, depending on their skills and customer requirements. They are capable of performing tasks in the interiors and exteriors of residential spaces.
If you think you have the skills of a handyman, why not use them to make money? In the US, the handyman services market has a net worth of $4.7 billion. The figure speaks volumes of how profitable the market is. But starting any kind of business is not a straightforward process. You must go through multiple processes before launching your services to potential customers.
If you’re interested in becoming a handyman, read on to learn how to start a handyman business.
How to Start a Handyman Business
Starting a handyman business means getting your business registered, obtaining permits, applying for insurance, purchasing supplies, and whatnot. With such a long list of things to do, it can be difficult to understand where to start. Fortunately for you, we have planned out a list of all the tasks that you need to perform from start to finish. Let’s look at all the things that must be done to launch your handyman business:
Plan Your Business
Before starting a handyman business, planning is essential. First, you should conduct market research to understand better the ongoing trends and which handyman services are in demand. Since a handyman provides a wide range of services, you can study different niches and pick the one that seems most profitable. But beware that you will also face a lot of competition as the handyman market is vast.
Conduct a SWOT analysis of your major competitors and identify opportunities for your soon-to-be-launched business.
Once you have a clear vision of the kind of services you want to offer, you can move on to the next step.
Budgeting
The good thing about handyman businesses is that they do not require a high capital investment. You can start your business for less than $1000. Initially, all you need are essential handyman tools, marketing material, and insurance.
Of course, if you want to upscale your business, you can always invest more money after it is operational. If you outsource some services, your cost can increase and can go up to $6000.
Here is a list of all the things you will need to start a handyman business:
Licensing
Insurance
Equipment
Handyman Software
Website development
Logo design
Business cards
Business clothes
Work vehicle
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Select a Business Name and Logo
Once you have a set budget in mind, you can move on to the next phase; selecting a business name and creating a logo.
Your business should have an easy-to-follow name that automatically tells potential customers about the services you offer. But make sure it doesn’t sound similar to other handyman services in town to avoid confusion. After selecting a suitable name, you will have to get a logo that will allow you to brand your business.
The logo will be the representative image of your business and will be used everywhere, including business cards, work uniforms, work vehicles, etc.
A logo can be made for cheap from platforms such as Fiverr, but depending on the quality of work, it can cost as much as $1000.
Get Necessary License and Permits
Typically, handymen don’t need a contractor’s license to start a business for home repair and maintenance. But if you plan to take on larger projects, such as bathroom remodeling and kitchen renovations, you will need to apply for permits and licenses, depending on your state requirements.
In case you do need a license, you will have to:
Show proof of work experience
Go through a licensing exam
Provide proof of insurance coverage
Get your business registered with the labor department
Set a project scale for business operations
Register Your Business
Once you have all the licensing and permits, you must register your business as an LLC. It will make your company recognized by the government, allowing you to start working legally.
For handyman businesses, the registration process can be completed in less than six weeks. You can find how to get an LLC for your business by clicking here.
Develop a Website
In the age of digitalization, every business needs a website, and your handyman services aren’t an exception.
A website allows you to create an online presence, as most people search for such services using search engines. If your website is SEO-optimized, it will pop up on the first page of Google searches, allowing potential customers to reach you more easily. You can also opt for paid searches, but with the right web design, you can boost your SEO rankings easily.
Moreover, your website should be user-friendly and easy to navigate. A slow-loading landing page can be off-putting and can take away potential leads. But if you work with an expert web developer, you can get a professional website that offers an excellent user experience.
Trady can help you develop the best handyman service website where customers can schedule bookings online using your website, and it can even feature an online payment option for added convenience. The best part is that our web development services are affordable, quick, and hassle-free.
A Handyman Software
As a handyman, keeping all your business and clientele information organized is essential. But manual techniques are inefficient. Instead, using software is a much better option.
The good news is that most handyman software offers free versions that you can start out with. As your business grows, you can get premium plans based on your requirements.
Insurance
Insurance is what will save your business from claims from workers and clients. If you don’t have insurance, you can expect your business to shut down or be on the brink of bankruptcy. And if you plan on taking on larger projects, you won’t be able to acquire a license without insurance.
For starting a handyman business, having general liability business is a must-have. In some states, it is a requirement, but even if the state does not require it, clients prefer working with handymen that have insurance.
General liability insurance covers the cost of claims of personal injury, bodily injury, and property damage. Other insurance policies that can be beneficial for handymen include:
Worker’s compensation insurance
Commercial auto insurance
Business property insurance
Tools and equipment insurance
Professional liability insurance
Get Started on Marketing
Without marketing, your business outreach can drop to zero. The best way to market your business is by creating social media pages and using paid marketing to generate leads. Moreover, posting content regularly to keep followers updated is also an effective marketing tactic. You can post tutorial videos or share images of the projects you completed. Before and after pictures always work like a charm.
Other than that, blogging on your website can help. When you provide useful information for your target market, people will take more interest in your business and trust your services. Moreover, keyword incorporation also helps boost SEO ranking. You can also let Trady handle your marketing plans, allowing you to focus on improving your business and skills.
An old-school approach to marketing that still works is handing out flyers and business cards. Despite seeming futile, spreading flyers can help you gain more customers because handyman services are required frequently.
The Bottom Line
We hope this guide on how to start a handyman business helped you out! If you know where to start, setting up your business becomes easier. The first thing you need to do is conduct a detailed market analysis and map out your business plan. With set goals in mind, you can proceed to budget. Fortunately, handyman services aren’t as costly; you can get necessary supplies for $1000. But if you purchase everything upfront, it will cost you more, and the price can go up to $6000.
After successfully planning out your finances, you can select a business name and logo. The next step is to obtain a license and permits. Typically, handyman businesses don’t require state licensing, but you may need one for large-scale projects. Moreover, every business needs an LLC to be recognized by the government.
Once your business is registered, website development comes next. Make sure your website offers an exceptional user experience and is SEO-optimized. You might also want to access handyman software to manage client information.
While all other steps are important, insurance is a step you can’t overlook. All handyman businesses should at least have general liability insurance. And lastly, don’t forget to market your business!