New Idea-What do you think?

pennyshahin_2

Hi I've been out of work for about 11/2 and am getting pretty desparate I've designed some leaflets and had some business cards made up, I'm offering an Extra Pair a hands Service to people grass cuting, help moving(packing boxes), kitchen help and cleaning- I've only had two jobs so far - a neighbour down the road and my wifes sister- I thougt about getting in touch with local estate agents-and maybe providing a service to people who are trying to sell their house-tidying up the garden etc etc.What do you think?

mizzbiz

I think it's a great idea - a sort of domestic handy-girl! Whilst I myself wouldn't use services such as helping with packing etc, I can see the garden spruce up and end of tenure cleaning really taking off. Why don't you formalise it as a property and garden maintenance service and target landlords, estate agents (or check the STC's on rightmove in oyur area for recent sales). Old people might be an idea aswell with the garden as I think plenty of old ladies would prefer a young lady to help them out.

But mainly, well done for taking the bull by the horns and doing something about your unemployment. It ireally is sink or swim at the minute and I admire those who do something about it.

chanie

What about getting into home organising? e.g. offering to sort through people stuff and get them in order. You could put up shelves, organise storage boxes (think IKEA).

Or taking in ironing.

I think you have a good idea, but you need to be more specific in telling people what you can do rather than waiting for them to guess. IF somebody put a leaflet through my idea, I'd probably ignore it, but if somebody said to me, I'd put up some shelves for you and sort out your storage, I might just go for that. Maybe you should knock on people's doors, espeically if you live in an affluent area (or maybe target those areas).

lessonlearned

Try cards in your shops, post office etc. only costs a few pence. Leaflet drops are a good idea, if you can print them yourself and therefore make them cheaply.

Do you have one of those local magazines in your area - adverts in those are very cheap and people do like to use local tradespeople.

Estate agents - probably not that busy at the moment, letting agents tend to have their own links but still worth a try.

As well as gardening, can you a bit do of diy (shelves, curtain track etc), decorating.

(I got the impression you were a male - you said "wife's sister" in your post - sorry if I've got it wrong)

If so advertise yourself as a Handyman - I'm sure you'll get loads of work, make a poster and have it in the back window of your car.

Put some of your leaflets under windscreen wipers in supermarket car parks.

Good luck - I wish there was a good handy person near me.

Tried several builders and gardeners recently. Been trying to get some work done - it's like asking for the moon - they can't even be bothered to turn up to give a quote.

chocsessential

I think your idea is excellent but I would try and find out what services people actually want. Is there a chance of you surveying the local area, perhaps putting questionnaires in the library, doctors' surgeries, etc. You could leave a box there for them to post their answers and go back and empty it once or twice a week. I bet if you put a survey in the doctor's waiting reom you'd get people asking for help with odd jobs they can't manage at the moment.

pennyshahin_2

Thanks for all your feedback, I am male despite my username-I'm not particularly good at DIY but I could put a bit of emulsion up easily enough.

lawrie28

It could be worthwhile getting to know a few other reliable tradespeople locally. Plumber, sparky, joiner etc. Then when you get asked about these jobs, you can arrange for quotes etc and either take an intro fee from the tradesperson, or a %age of the job as a finders fee.

Dealio

I think this is a good idea. Perhaps you could help with the whole mission of moving, I know people would love a hand doing this, especially those who have very busy lifestyles already and see moving as a chore and something that needs to be done quickly. From packing up, to moving and then settling in, eg DIY. As I live in a house of girls, I know we could have definitely done with someone helping out with lifting all our boxes and DIY when we moved, especilaly things like putting up shelves and mirrors! If you can include that in the service yourself-great! Otherwise I agree with Lawrie28, recommend someone locally.
Good luck with it!