Considering Self Employed As Handyman / Basic Garden Maintenance

mystic_bertie · 15 June 2011 at 12:37AM

im considering going self employed, i want to work hours that suit me and still get a decent rate.

i have done garden tidying before ie grass cutting, strimming, general tidying, weeding. i done this to earn a bit extra cash many years ago.

my diy skills are good although im no expert but i can carry out most general stuff without any problem. i have a petrol lawnmower so i could get a petrol strimmer to and some good sturdy tools, i have a big 4x4 i run on waste veg oil so that will be good for carrying stuff around and cheap on fuel too lol.

im only looking for around 20 hours a week, im a male single parent with 2 girls, so i just want to work within school hours, this is why i want to go self employed.

how easy is it to do this, im not looking make a fortune, just earn a decent rate for the 20 hours or so that i do each week, this will qualify me for my working tax credits etc.

i think if i build up customers during the summer for mainly gardening then hopefully by winter word of mouth and concentrating on handyman stuff indoors will work out, by then i can consider getting trained on more indoor things like tiling etc.

so gimme some basic advice please

passatrider · 15 June 2011 at 9:41AM

I'm in the process of setting up a similar service in my area but without the handyman side.

I'd concentrate on the garden maintenance aspect to start. You can then promote your other services to your customers at the same time.
The mistake some people make I've been told is trying to do too much at once - keep it simple!

As for getting started then I'd suggest putting up some cards in local shop windows. You can also get some flyers made up and distribute them around your local area.

You must also register with HMRC for self employment. This can be done either by post or online.

Finally, as you will be using your own vehicle for business use then you are will have to inform your insurance company as a change of use for business.
Don't forget Public liability insurance too as it's a must these days in our claim culture!

Good Luck!

Caroline73_2 · 15 June 2011 at 10:31AM

Good luck.

I have a handy man I use for lots of stuff. He also knows lots of reliable tradesmen too, so its probably worth you networking with plumbers, electricians etc so you can pass work each others way.

lamb1102 · 15 June 2011 at 2:29PM

I did exactly what youre planning to do, Gumtree was a good advertising medium for me(and free), the shop windows also worked to a degree.
Try knocking on the door of a house whos garden is looking untidy and offer to tidy it up. Remember to look professional and be polite, sell yourself so to speak. If youre a decent, hard working and personable chap then you will achieve your desired result.
Best of luck.

mystic_bertie · 15 June 2011 at 4:15PM

Caroline73 wrote: »

Good luck.

I have a handy man I use for lots of stuff. He also knows lots of reliable tradesmen too, so its probably worth you networking with plumbers, electricians etc so you can pass work each others way.

im afraid this is different from my usual trade so i dont know any other tradesman im afraid but good suggestion

Toadstool_Toys wrote: »

Getting a good network of trades is a very good idea, maybe phone some up and explain what you can help them with etc.

how would that work would they pay me a wage or pass on certain types of work my way?

lamb1102 wrote: »

I did exactly what youre planning to do, Gumtree was a good advertising medium for me(and free), the shop windows also worked to a degree.
Try knocking on the door of a house whos garden is looking untidy and offer to tidy it up. Remember to look professional and be polite, sell yourself so to speak. If youre a decent, hard working and personable chap then you will achieve your desired result.
Best of luck.

yeah gumtree good idea and free advertising is a bonus. Do you find knocking on the doors of untidy garden very successful? I would say i am polite and professional and decent etc, used to do a milk run and always treated all the customers well and politely even the non tippers lol.

cheers all

mystic_bertie · 15 June 2011 at 4:17PM

passatrider wrote: »

I'm in the process of setting up a similar service in my area but without the handyman side.

I'd concentrate on the garden maintenance aspect to start. You can then promote your other services to your customers at the same time.
The mistake some people make I've been told is trying to do too much at once - keep it simple!

As for getting started then I'd suggest putting up some cards in local shop windows. You can also get some flyers made up and distribute them around your local area.

You must also register with HMRC for self employment. This can be done either by post or online.

Finally, as you will be using your own vehicle for business use then you are will have to inform your insurance company as a change of use for business.
Don't forget Public liability insurance too as it's a must these days in our claim culture!

Good Luck!

yeah well at least the handyman stuff will come in handy come the winter or poor weather spells i hope.

it that all there is toit, register with HMRC, insurance for the car and liability insurance and away i go, i thought you needed to register you business name and things like that.

passatrider · 15 June 2011 at 5:33PM

mystic_bertie wrote: »

yeah well at least the handyman stuff will come in handy come the winter or poor weather spells i hope.

it that all there is toit, register with HMRC, insurance for the car and liability insurance and away i go, i thought you needed to register you business name and things like that.

You will be registering your business name with the HMRC so that'll be all you need to start.
If you are talking about registering as a LTD company then I wouldn't bother.

Perhaps take a look at the business link website for some good info about starting up.

mystic_bertie · 16 June 2011 at 2:16PM

passatrider wrote: »

You will be registering your business name with the HMRC so that'll be all you need to start.
If you are talking about registering as a LTD company then I wouldn't bother.

Perhaps take a look at the business link website for some good info about starting up.

thanks ill take a look at the business gateway that one for us scots lol

cheers for the advice;)

Considering Self Employed As Handyman / Basic Garden Maintenance

Comments

Categories

Get our FREE Weekly email full of deals & guides - and it’s spam-free