Tips for Success as a Handyman
You don’t need a lot to make a living as a handyman (or woman), just your time, some tools and a bit of know-how. It’s the perfect job for almost anyone in good health who’s willing to work hard.
Before you start
A handyman is someone who knows how to do just about anything that a homeowner or property owner might need to be done, so before advertising yourself as “handy” it’s important to acquire a few skills across a wide variety of fields. You should become familiar with the basics of:
Residential CarpentryCabinet-makingRoofingDrywallMasonryTiling and GroutingWood-turningPainting and re-finishingElectrical Installation and RepairPlumbing Installation and RepairLandscaping and PruningGardeningLawn careSnow RemovalAuto MechanicsSmall EnginesWelding and MachiningUpholsteringWindow Cleaning
And that’s by no means an exhaustive list! The important thing to remember is that you don’t have to be an expert in any one of these particular fields, you just have to be comfortable enough with most of them to handle whatever jobs you’re likely to encounter. But the chances are that most of the work you’ll have to do will be well within your skill and comfort level.
Tools you’ll need
The tools of the handyman vary widely from job to job, so you’ll probably need several large toolboxes to hold it all. But you can start small and work your way up with a few good quality items like:
A wrench setScrewdriversElectrical Multi-testerPipe wrenchTape measureSpeed squareHammerLevelHex Key SetPutty knivesMarking PencilSliding T-bevelHandsawStep-ladderCordless Drill and battery, with a selection of drill and driver bitsCordless worm-drive “skill” saw and batteryCordless jig saw and batteryBattery Charger
(buy these last four items as a set)
The above items should be enough to handle most jobs, and as time goes on you can add more specialized tools. You should also visit your local equipment rental store or the “tool rental” department at your building supply store so you’ll know where you can get things like a chain saw, wet tile saw or floor-polisher, and at what price. You should also have a van, pick-up truck or trailer for transporting materials from the store to your jobsite.
How to Begin
Once you’ve accumulated some tools and some knowledge it’s time to start advertising yourself as a handyman. You’ll need some promotional materials – business cards, mailbox flyers, brochures, a roadside sign to put out at jobsites, and some signage painted on your vehicle. Again, start off small – just putting up a few posters around your neighbourhood will probably be enough to catch someone’s attention, and once you’ve got your first client you’ll often get your second, third and many subsequent ones via referral (assuming you do a good job, that it).
When on the Job
Always show up on-time, cleaned up and with your tools, ready to work. Take your boots off when you enter a client’s house unless they tell you not to, and be sure to knock on any unopened doors before entering bedrooms or bathrooms. Let your client show you everything he or she would like you to do, and be sure to make a list so that you don’t forget anything.
This is where you’ll find out just how simple or difficult the tasks are that you need to do. Many people (especially seniors or the disabled) just need someone to change a light bulb, replace a torn screen or patch a nail hole in the wall – jobs so simple you could do them in your sleep, while other people will need you do hang a door, install a new toilet or build a garden shed – jobs that will require more time and expertise. Don’t be afraid of a challenging task, but you also need to be up front and honest with a client if what they’re looking for is beyond what you’re capable to offer (in which case they likely should be looking for a full-blown contractor).
If you work hard, be nice to your customers and do good work you’ll have no trouble making a living as a handyman. No two days on the job will ever be the same, you’ll have no boss to answer to except your client and at the end of the day you can go home knowing you helped make someone’s home a better place.
