Start & Run A Handyman Business

by White, Sarah; Pegg, Kevin

• ISBN13: 9781551805986
• ISBN10: 1551805987
• Edition: CD
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-03-01
• Publisher: Self-Counsel Press

Summary

If you enjoy fixing things and have the skills to do it, you can make a successful career for yourself with your own handyman business. With the easy-to-read tips and business strategies taught in this book, you'll learn how to make your handyman business profitable. This book will give you both tips for doing the jobs and the skills you'll need to run the business.Handymen (and women) are the skilled individuals people rely on to solve problems. Their services are geared to home owners who need small jobs done around the house, such as fixing a leaky faucet or installing a light fixture. But depending on your skills, services may also include painting, yard work, laying carpet, removing junk, or even cleaning a garage. You can set your own hours and be your own boss. But you'll need the business skills to make it profitable, too, since only you will be responsible for finding customers. This book shows you step-by-step how to make a name for yourself as the handyman in your community.

Author Biography

Kevin Pegg and Sarah White together operate a successful handyman business, Handyman Services. Kevin does the hands-on work while Sarah handles the record keeping, advertising, and organization of the business. Kevin learned the tricks of the trade from his father, and he is now carrying on the family handyman business. He has more than 20 years’ experience in carpentry and renovations and has been working as a handyman for 15 years. Kevin Pegg and Sarah White together operate a successful handyman business, Handyman Services. Kevin does the hands-on work while Sarah handles the record keeping, advertising, and organization of the business. Kevin learned the tricks of the trade from his father, and he is now carrying on the family handyman business. He has more than 20 years’ experience in carpentry and renovations and has been working as a handyman for 15 years.

Table of Contents

Introduction	xv
The Handyman Business: An Opportunity Waiting for You	1	(8)
What a Handyman Does	1	(1)
Do You Have What It Takes?	2	(2)
Advantages and Disadvantages	4	(1)
Part Time or Full Time?	4	(5)
Part time	6	(1)
Full time	6	(3)
Getting Started	9	(14)
Your Goals and Expectations	9	(1)
Sizing Up the Market	10	(2)
Market size	10	(1)
Market research	11	(1)
Facing the competition	12	(1)
Developing Your Business Plan	12	(1)
Business and Legal Requirements	13	(6)
Zoning and licensing	13	(3)
Form of business	16	(1)
Insurance	16	(1)
Naming your business	17	(1)
Hiring employees or contract staff	18	(1)
Accounting Basics	19	(1)
Bookkeeping	19	(1)
Your balance sheet	19	(1)
Tax requirements	20	(1)
Getting Professional-Help for Your Business	20	(3)
Setting Up Shop	23	(18)
Getting Organized	23	(1)
Your Home Headquarters	24	(8)
Keeping records	24	(3)
Communication needs	27	(2)
Your office environment	29	(1)
Tax advantages to the home office	30	(1)
Keeping your home and office separate	31	(1)
Your Vehicle --- An Office Away from Home	32	(4)
Van, truck, or car?	32	(1)
Using trailers and wagons	33	(1)
Vehicle supplies	34	(2)
Tools --- The Handyman's Best Friend	36	(5)
A basic tool kit	36	(2)
The right tools for the job	38	(3)
Marketing Your Business	41	(12)
Letterhead and Business Cards	41	(1)
Word of Mouth	42	(1)
Advertising	43	(1)
Build on Existing Clients	43	(3)
Networking	46	(6)
Marketing Tips	52	(1)
Meeting the Customer's Needs	53	(20)
Estimates, Quotes, and Pricing	53	(6)
Understanding quotes and estimates	54	(3)
What to charge	57	(1)
Invoicing	58	(1)
Scheduling	59	(3)
Planning for a job	59	(3)
Organizing the Work Site	62	(2)
Serving Your Customers Well	64	(2)
Dealing with Difficult Situations	66	(3)
Not getting paid	66	(1)
Damaged property	67	(1)
Family arguments	68	(1)
Unhappy customers	68	(1)
When There Is Too Much Work	69	(2)
Saying no to work	69	(1)
Hiring help	70	(1)
Summary --- The Key to Customer Service	71	(2)
The Handyman at Work: On-The-Job Tips and Techniques	73	(16)
Doing the Right Job at the Right Time	73	(2)
Working on New Homes	75	(1)
Working on Older Homes	75	(1)
Painting Like a Pro	76	(3)
Painting preparation	77	(1)
Oil or latex?	77	(1)
How much paint will you need?	78	(1)
Cleanup tips	79	(1)
Working with Plaster and Drywall	79	(3)
Plumbing Pointers	82	(1)
Rules for Roofing	82	(2)
Yard Work	84	(1)
Taking on Wildlife	85	(4)
Removing animals	86	(2)
Pest prevention	88	(1)
Keeping Up With Trends --- Some Ideas for Today's Market	89	(12)
Accessibility and Universal Design	90	(1)
Home Energy Audits	90	(2)
Home Checkups	92	(1)
Home Security	92	(7)
Keeping on Top of Trends	99	(2)
Building Safety and Quality Into Your Day	101	(10)
Using Safety Equipment	101	(1)
Assessing the Situation for Safety Concerns	102	(2)
The Safety of Your Customers	104	(1)
A Word about Ladders	105	(2)
Taking Care of Yourself	107	(4)
Staying fit and safe	107	(1)
Taking time off	108	(3)
Looking to the Future	111