Is there a demand for these 'Handyman' services?

phill99

I started off offering a handyman service 12 years ago. I have expanded into kitchen & bathroom installations and full house refurbishments. I have a range if guys on subcontract who do the skilled trades and I do the donkey work and customer care.

I would suggest the following:

If you limit yourself to just flat pack and pressure washing you will really limit your market.

You need to offer a wide range of handyman services to encourage your customers to want to rebook you. Things such as putting shelves up, lock changing, basic tiling, basic decorating, rubbish removal, door hanging, remasticing of baths (always in demand), changing loo seats, putting up loo roll holders etc, putting up curtain poles and blinds, tap washer changing, basic plumbing, repairing gates, fencing etc etc.

Charge a fixed price. Most customers prefer this. Have a minimum charge.

Remember the important things: answer your phone professionally with your company name, dress as smart as you job allows, always turn up on time and if your running late, ring ahead and let your customers know. If you're not confident in doing something, be honest with your customer about it - they will appreciate your honesty more than you making a right lash up of things. Be friendly and polite. Carry a spares box of things like bulbs, batteries etc - doing those little extras will be remembered.


Good luck.

fluffpot

themull1 wrote: »

I wouldnt hire anyone who charges an hourly rate to do a job, i always get a quote for the job itself.

It will come to much the same, ie the tradesperson will know that they can eg put up a light fitting in an hour, so that's what it costs.

For smaller jobs, sometimes customers like to book say 2 hours of your time, give you a list and get you to work through it

The OP should be able to give an idea of time required (and therefore price to be paid) for certain standard jobs

phill99 gives excellent advice. Esp about the minimum charge!

CBL123

Thanks for the response, phil99.

I definitely won't limit myself to just the two services, but they'll probably be the easiest to start offering as I've the equipment.

Basic decorating, putting up shelves etc I'd definitely offer. Long term if it worked out then I'd look to learn and offer more services.

CBL123

How would I word my pricing to include a minimum charge?

phill99

Don't word any pricing. If you are doing adverts, flyers etc, don't mention price.

Base all your marketing on professionalism, helpfulness, timekeeping etc etc. Only mention price when someone asks. Any fool can sell on price. Sell on all the other. Aspects I mentioned.

You need to offer as many services as possible, even if you spend some money on tools etc or you will limit your market.

I_have_spoken

Things such as putting shelves up...

I do all of these things in my house! 2nd career ahoy!

Re. price, I called a company about refinishing my conservatory floor. They said they didn't bother with that sort of work any more as Eastern Europeans would always quote a cheaper price, maybe bodging the work.

CBL123

Thanks phil. I've looked at other people's websites and it seems a 50/50 split on whether they mention price. So not sure what I should do there.

One other question: If I quoted a job at let's say £10 an hour and said it was going to take 2 but it only took say 1 hour 15 - what would I do? Still charge £20?

phill99

CBL123 wrote: »

Thanks phil. I've looked at other people's websites and it seems a 50/50 split on whether they mention price. So not sure what I should do there.

One other question: If I quoted a job at let's say £10 an hour and said it was going to take 2 but it only took say 1 hour 15 - what would I do? Still charge £20?

That's why you have a minimum charge. Remember if you charge an hourly rate, you are not just charging a sum equal to your wages. You have to charge a figure that covers all of your 'on costs'. This will include vehicle costs (fuel, insurance, road tax, servicing, tyres, depreciation etc), accountants costs, mobile phone costs, advertising, stationery, postage, bank charges, plus travel time, sick pay holiday pay, bad debtors, etc etc. If you charge £10 an hour and are there for an hour and only get £10 you have just worked for nothing. That's why you don't charge by the hour. Give a fixed price, minimum say £25. Even if you are there for 10 minutes, that's the charge.

I don't have premises and work from home. I run a van. My business costs me £30 a day before I have earned a penny. So those costs have to be met.

Get out if the habit of charging an hourly rate. Work on fixed prices. Some jobs will take less than expected, some will take more. It verbs itself up.

If you charge by the hour, you will always get people saying you didn't work for a full hour or you spent 10 minutes on the phone etc and will argue the toss. Give a fixed price and they can't do it.

You need to shift your mind set from 'earning a living' to 'running a business'. If you are still stuck in the former, don't expect to be self employed for long.

silvercar

Plenty people advertising on facebook in my area with this service. Some quote an hourly rate with a minimum charge and say they are happy to quote per job. They seem to be well in demand.

If you are going to spend time giving quotes in person remember that this will reduce your time available to do the work.

Reputations are built and lost on standard of work and punctuality, so make sure you get it right.

CBL123

Rather than per hour then, could I advertise 'from £10' (just an example) and then give them a quote for their specific job.