Is there a demand for these 'Handyman' services?

moneyistooshorttomention

Definitely agree with the business card. I'm surprised at how many tradesmen don't seem to have one or, when asked for one, have to "just go out to the van a minute" and then haul out a rather grubby one.

If you are any form of self-employed then, as far as I am concerned, you are carrying business cards around with you at all times/they are in good condition/you always have some in your wallet or handbag immediately to hand. Only makes good business sense to respond to a request for one with "Of course, here you are" instantly and with a smile on your face.

If there's a problem in instantly producing that immaculate business card then I, as the customer, instantly think "If they can't even get that easy little detail right...then what standard is their work?"

I know its not possible to go by the "trimmings" entirely...thinking ruefully right now of a firm that did major work on my house recently and managed to make some serious, easily-avoided, mistakes despite all their turning up in marked vans and in the company uniform:cool: (in contrast to other firms providing the same service hereabouts).

27col

I found that advertising in local church magazines produced a good response. Usually elderly widows. If you do a good job for a fair price you will be able to go home and sleep easy.
If you don't feel you can do a job properly, then be honest and tell them. Don't get involved in stuff you know nothing about.
I loved doing self assembly furniture, especially IKEA. But funnily enough I didn't get to do a lot of that when I was a handyman.

Stooby2

I'm just in the process of setting myself up in this kind of work, ready for my retirement in a couple of years time. Although a knackered back has put things on hold at the moment.

As 27col says, there are a lot of elderly people who want small jobs done - change the washer on a tap, hang shelves or a picture, repair a fence, adjust a door - all sorts of small jobs. The fixed price route will provide a better income as small jobs don't take long to do, but travelling between them does.

And be careful with decorating unless you are very good at it. People can be extremely fussy about getting a good job done (my father for instance) and will have you back time and again if it's not right.

And you need recommendations - word of mouth is a powerful advert. If you do a poor or bodged job, you'll struggle. Looking clean and smart and acting professionally along with doing a good job will help you no end. Don't be afraid to turn something down if you're not confident about doing it. People prefer an honest "no, sorry, that's beyond my abilities" to a messed up job and will probably come back to you again.

fluffpot

I decided to have a flyer and business card in one - it's printed (1 colour and black both sides) on card, but is A6 sized (1/4 A4). People don't seem to loose it in the bottom of a drawer!

It's quite simple and has my contact details (including landline), outline of what I do, qualifications, registration body (NICEIC) and that I am insured to £2M public liability

However, I have been so busy with work since having them done, that I've probably only done flyers a few streets near where I live! (which is a good problem to have)

I've just realised that I've assumed the OP is a bloke, but of course could be a lady. If you are, highlight this as I've found it's a good selling point eg my card/flyer is headed "Fully Qualified Female Electrician"

talkytalky11

I hope you have some knowledge of gardening, I run my own plantsman/ Landscaping business and I am getting a lot of work from people who have had so called 'handyman' services in and they don't know what the difference is between a weed and a plant. The places have been in a total mess! ie. don't know how to prune correctly and so on. It really puts a bad name for people who actually know what they are doing and have to compete with total cowboys who seem to do everything and do not know anything.

Sorry for being so against handyman type businesses, but its like everyone thinks they can be a Formula 1 driver but its harder that first thought.

You would have to put up a lot of flat pack to even bother with it.

As you can tell I so cant wait for the cowboys to come out when it gets warmer.

Stooby2

One thing I forgot to mention, get public liability insurance, so if you do have a disaster, you are covered. It's not expensive and you can buy it online.

Biggles

Stooby2 wrote: »

One thing I forgot to mention, get public liability insurance

Good point. I wouldn't take someone on if they didn't have that.

I_have_spoken

I've been using Gumtree to look for tradesmen.

Also, answer the phone with 'Fred the handyman' etc., not 'hello?'

paulsad

I did it for a year or so and yes you can make a buttie; I have a good background in trades/diy having been an electrician and fitted my own bathrooms, kitchens including all plumbing, flooring and tiling.
You do have to know your limitations and be prepared to pass on work to other tradesmen when you haven't the knowledge/qualifications ie the obvious ones electrics and gas - I was lucky as my son is a gas engineer, I have electrical quals and my other son is a time served plasterer. I also have a good friend who is a builder and another who is a roofer.
You have to be prepared to do a lot of "dirty" jobs.
My typical week included fixing cruddy toilets and retiling/grouting very grubby bathrooms as well as dealing with mouldy walls and disgusting kitchens as I did a lot of work for private landlords.
Clearing/refurbing a large space filled with smelly dead pigeons was another gem!
Public liability insurance is a must and isn't very expensive - fitting a large heavy mirror over an antique fireplace worth thousands (with the customer looking on) is a lot more nerve wracking than doing it in your own house!
You get asked to do a lot of high up work too (guttering etc) and that can be dodgy if you aren't used to working at heights - some of the terraced properties I did were very high up with limited ladder access, I used to fit signs so had some experience - one fall can soon put an end to you and your business so I can't stress ladder safety enough.
Some flat pack jobs also are not for the feint hearted - don't kid yourself its just tables/small stuff - I had to do large double wardrobes with heavy glass doors etc and these are hard graft (especially on your own!).
Reason I packed it in are mainly that I needed a regular monthly income, the handyman business was very bitty, some weeks were very good - ie a decent decorating job - other weeks were very poor and at xmas time December/Jan, work would dry up completely.
I had a van (insurance is expensive!) and it gave up the ghost which was the last straw.
It is also very hard (& dirty) work most of the time and you'll need a lot of self motivation, also a lot of time you'll go out and quote for jobs you won't get or find on arrival that the job maybe beyond your skillset.
ps Handymen get a bad press especially by proper trades, but there are some very good knowledgeable ones as well as some I wouldn't trust to change a bulb!

TBagpuss

I agree that there is a market for this type of work.

If you are offering a service assembling flat pack furniture than it may be worth also offering to collect it (assuming you have a van) - there is a guy who set up a business near me who will collect your IKEA purchases from IKEA and assemble them - it is a really useful service for people who have a small car or for single people who may struggle to physically get the stuff home.

Definitely have your name (not just 'Bob the Handyman') on your business cards, any ads or flyers, and a landline number. I would not consider employing someone who *only* provided a mobile number. If you don't have a land line then include your address as well as a mobile number and e-mail.

I would suggest a small discount for a specific area, rather than for an age group.

I think a minimum charge or call out fee is fine for this type of work.

Don't assume that it's only pensioners who need this kind of work. I am barely even middle-aged, but being single, cack-handed, with a dodgy shoulder and very busy I don't do much beyond changing light bulbs. A reliable person who I could call for things such as clearing gutters, putting up curtain poles, changing washers etc would be a godsend.

Insurance is an essential (I tried ringing a couple of 'no job too small / handy man services locally, a little while back. In each case there was a resounding silence when I asked about insurance, so I didn't use them)