FabJob Guide to Become a Handyperson Business Owner · FabJob Guide to Become a Handyperson Business Owner ... As the owner of a handyperson business (also known as a handyman, jack-of-all-trades,

Start Your Own Handyperson Business!

Kourtnee Jackson

FabJob Guide to

Become a Handyperson

Business Owner

Visit www.FabJob.com

Contents

1. Introduction ............................................................................................9

1.1 A Career as a Handyperson ........................................................10

1.1.1 HowaHandypersonDiffersfromaContractor ............10

1.1.2 Services Provided by a Handyperson .............................11

1.2 The Home Improvement Industry .............................................12

1.3 BenefitsofBeingaHandypersonBusinessOwner .................12

1.4 Inside This Guide .........................................................................14

2. What a Handyperson Does ................................................................16

2.1 Specializations ..............................................................................16

2.1.1 Plumbing ..............................................................................17

2.1.2 Painting ................................................................................17

2.1.3 Electrical/Lighting ..............................................................18

2.1.4 Walls, Doors and Windows ...............................................18

2.1.5 Appliances ...........................................................................19

2.1.6 Flooring ...............................................................................19

2.1.7 Woodwork ...........................................................................20

2.1.8 Outdoors ..............................................................................20

2.1.9 Furniture Assembly/Fixes .................................................21

2.1.10SpecializingByPopulation ................................................22

2.1.11 Odd Jobs ...............................................................................22

2.2 ToolsoftheTrade .........................................................................23

2.2.1 Essential Tools: ....................................................................23

2.2.2 General Purpose Products and Equipment ....................25

2.2.3 PlumbingTools/Supplies ...................................................26

2.2.4 PaintingTools/Supplies .....................................................26

2.2.5 Electrical/LightingTools/Supplies ...................................27

FabJob Guide to Become a Handyperson Business Owner

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2.2.6 Woodwork ...........................................................................27

2.2.7 Outdoors ..............................................................................28

2.2.8 Where to Get Equipment, Tools, and Supplies ..............28

2.3 SoftwareandMobileAppsforYourHandyperson Business .........................................................................................29

2.4 How to Do a Client Consultation ...............................................30

2.4.1 Residential Client Needs Assessments ............................31

2.4.2 Commercial Client Needs Assessments .........................32

2.4.3 Estimates ..............................................................................39

2.5 How to Do It: Repair, Build, Replace Basics .............................39

2.5.1 Toilets and Sinks .................................................................40

2.5.2 Walls .....................................................................................41

2.5.3 Outdoors ..............................................................................43

2.6 HealthandSafetyProtocol .........................................................45

2.7 WorkingwithStrategicPartners ...............................................46

2.7.1 TypesofBusinessesYouCouldPartnerWith ................46

2.7.2 HowtoFindStrategicPartners .........................................47

2.7.3 ChoosingVendors ..............................................................48

3. GettingReady .......................................................................................54

3.1 SkillsandKnowledgeYouWillNeed .......................................54

3.1.1 KnowledgeaboutRepairs .................................................55

3.1.2 KnowledgeofGovernmentRegulationsforthe Home Improvement Industry ..........................................55

3.1.3 Interpersonal Skills .............................................................55

3.1.4 OrganizationalSkills .........................................................58

3.1.5 Business Skills .....................................................................60

3.2 LearningbyDoing .......................................................................61

3.2.1 VolunteerExperience .........................................................61

3.2.2 Apprenticeships ..................................................................63




3.2.3 Part-Time Jobs .....................................................................64

3.3 Learn From Other Business Owners..........................................64

3.3.1 InformationInterviews ......................................................64

3.3.2 Mentoring ............................................................................66

3.3.3 Join Associations .................................................................69

3.4 EducationalPrograms ................................................................70

3.4.1 CertificatePrograms ...........................................................71

3.4.2 ContinuingEducationCourses ........................................71

3.4.3 Business Courses ................................................................72

3.5 ResourcesforSelf-Study ..............................................................73

3.5.1 Books ....................................................................................73

3.5.2 Websites ...............................................................................74

3.5.3 Home Improvement Clinics and Tutorials .....................75

4. StartingYourHandypersonBusiness ..............................................77

4.1 GettingStarted ..............................................................................77

4.1.1 CreatingaBusinessPlan ...................................................79

4.1.2 ChoosingaBusinessLegalStructure ...............................86

4.1.3 ChoosingaBusinessName ..............................................93

4.1.4 Franchising ..........................................................................94

4.1.5 ChoosingYourLocation ....................................................99

4.2 FinancialMatters ........................................................................102

4.2.1 Start-UpandOperatingExpenses ..................................102

4.2.2 Start-upFinancing ............................................................106

4.2.3 Taxes ...................................................................................111

4.2.4 Insurance ............................................................................112

4.2.5 SettingYourFees ...............................................................116

4.2.6 GettingPaid .......................................................................123

4.2.7 KeepingTrackofYourFinances .....................................129




4.3 WorkingwithSupportStaff ......................................................133

4.3.1 Employees versus Contractors .......................................134

4.3.2 BeforeYouHire .................................................................135

4.3.3 FindingSupportStaff .......................................................137

4.3.4 The Interview Process ......................................................139

4.3.5 References ..........................................................................140

5. GettingCustomers .............................................................................142

5.1 ChooseYourTargetMarket ......................................................143

5.2 MarketingTools ..........................................................................145

5.2.1 PrintedMaterials ..............................................................145

5.2.2 YourPortfolio ....................................................................152

5.2.3 YourWebsite ......................................................................155

5.2.4 SocialMedia ......................................................................160

5.3 MarketingTechniques ...............................................................164

5.3.1 Advertising ........................................................................164

5.3.2 FreeMediaPublicity ........................................................168

5.3.3 Networking .......................................................................173

5.3.4 YourElevatorPitch ...........................................................176

5.3.5 Promotional Events ..........................................................180

5.4 SellingYourServices ..................................................................181

5.4.1 RespondingtoInquiries ..................................................182

5.4.2 ContactingCommercialClients .....................................184

5.4.3 MeetingwithaProspectiveClient .................................190

5.4.4 PreparingaProposal ........................................................194

5.5 Client Contracts ..........................................................................199






1. IntroductionIfyouaregoodwithyourhandsandenjoyfixingthings,youcouldcreateaprofitablebusinesswhereyourserviceswillalwaysbeindemand.

Astheownerofahandypersonbusiness(alsoknownasahandyman,jack-of-all-trades,oroddjobbusiness),youwillbeabletochoosethetypesofprojectsyouworkon,andhaveajobyearround.

When problems arise at home, many people aren’t equipped with the toolsorknowledgetohandlethem.That’swhentheyneedtohireahandyperson.Sometimes,youmightbeaherocomingintorescueahomeownerfromaDIYprojectgonewrong.Othertimes,youmightbetheforcethathelpsavertahouseholdcrisis.

“Rememberyou’rea‘fixer’andyou’regoingintosomeone’shomewheresomethingisbrokensoyou’rethehero!Ifyougenuinelyliketofixthingsthisisagreatjobforyouandyouwillbeverysuccessful,”says handyman business owner Israel Alvarez.

Youcanbuildyourowncommunityofhappycustomerswithyourpreparation,know-how,and“lifesaving”skillsasahandyperson!




Youwilllearnhowtostartyourownsuccessfulhandypersonbusinessinthisguide.

1.1 A Career as a HandypersonThedailylifeofahandypersoncanbringamixtureofroutine,unique,andchallengingjobs.Youcaneasilybecomethego-topersonforalargeclientbaseinyourtownorbeyond.Nowadays,thejobofahandyperson doesn’t have to be limited to males either. Women are a growingsegmentoffemalerepairworkers,withcustomersseekingtherightpersonforthejob,nomatterthegender.Inmanycases,femaleclientsfeelmorecomfortablehiringawomantoentertheirhomeswhen at home alone.

Whileitiscommontofindahandypersonhandlingjobsatprivateresidences, you may also take on the role as an on-call handy professionalforsmallbusinesses,realestateagents,landlords,orpropertymanagementagencies.Asyougrowyourbusiness,itwillbeuptoyoutodecidewhatprojectsyoucanhandle–eitherasaone-personshoworwithateam.Youwilllearntocreateaworkflowsystemthathelpsyoustructureyourprojectsandschedule,aswellasleaveroomforsurprises.

1.1.1 HowaHandypersonDiffersfromaContractor

Ahandypersoncancompletearangeofprojectsaroundthehomethatdonotrequirealicense,suchasinstallingatoilet,painting,orreplacingagarbagedisposal.Smallerrepairs,maintenance,orprojectsthatonlyrequireonepersonaregenerallyhandledbyahandyperson.Forexample,changingalightfixture,orswappingoutairfiltersinaheatingunitcanbedonebyahandyperson.

Otherworkmaybefallintothecategoryofoddjobs.Ahandypersonmayormaynotpossessvocationaltraininginatradeoralicense.Someprojectsmayinvolvemoreextensiveworklikesewerlinerepair,HVAC(heating,ventilation,airconditioning),wallremoval,orextensiveelectrical repair. This is where a contractor would step in.




Ageneralcontractorisaskilledworkerwhospecializesinlargescaleprojectsforconstruction,repair,orrenovation.Theyareknowledgeableinbuildingcodes,arelicensed,andoftenhavebeentrainedinatrade.Materials,supplies,andlaborareprovidedandcoordinatedunderthegeneralcontractor,aswellasbudgetmanagement.Theseprojectsusuallylastafewdaystoafewmonths.Subcontractors(e.g.painters,electricians)arehiredandoverseenbygeneralcontractorsforbigjobs.Smallerrepairsaregenerallynothandledbyageneralcontractor.

OthertypesofcontractorsthathomeownersorbusinessesmayhiredirectlyforaspecificproblemincludeHVACtechnicians,roofingspecialists, plumbers, electricians, or carpenters. A handyperson may possesssomeoftheskillsintheseareastoperformlighttasks,butheavier,moredetailedjobslikeroofreplacementarecarriedoutbythese specialists.

Lawsalsovarystatebystateastowhatjobscanbeperformedbyahandypersonversusacontractor.InCaliforniaforexample,anyjobover $500 that includes material and labor has to be done by a licensed contractor.Thegoodnewsisthatthereismorethanenoughworktogoaroundforboth!

1.1.2 Services Provided by a HandypersonAhandypersoncanbecalledupontoaddressanumberofneeds,fromminor,one-timerepairstocaulkinganentirerentalunit.Jobscanbeperformedinsideoroutside,withtheabilitytorotatewhatyouofferdependingontheseasonsortheregionyoulivein.Someofthereasonsahandyperson’sservicesarecalledonarefor:

•Painting

• Patch up cracks or nail holes

•Wallhangingjobs

• Tile replacement

• Furniture assembly

• Toilet repair

• Faucet issues




•Installappliances(e.g.dishwasher,microwave,disposal)

•Installfixtures

•Changedoorknobs/locks

•Replacedamagedtrim

• Snow removal

•Yardlandscaping

•Deckrefinishing

While you will have leeway to provide these services and much more, itisagoodideatobegingeneratingideasforwhatyouwilloffer.Youmay also need to research which services are limited by your state orcountyintermsoflicensing,andstartstructuringyourbusiness’sofferingsaccordingtothoseterms.

1.2 The Home Improvement IndustryLike the medical industry, people are bound to seek out a remedy fortheirresidentialorcommercialrelatedills.Additionally,withthehousingmarketsbeginningtobounceback,morepeoplearebuyinghomesandotherpropertiesthatwillneedtobetakencareof,openingthegatesofopportunity.Youcanalsocountondealingswithbusinesseslookingtohireacompetentjackofalltrades.

AccordingtotheUnitedStatesDepartmentofLabor, the jobsinmaintenanceandhomerepairfieldsarepoisedtogrowthrough2024.Further, a study by IBIS world indicates that the home improvement industryisworth$3billionandgrowing.

1.3 BenefitsofBeingaHandypersonBusinessOwner

Beingtheownerofahandypersonbusinesswillallowyoutobuilditaccordingtoyourownstrengths,time,andinterests.Youhavetheabilitytoearnanincomeonaparttimeorfulltimebasis,growingyourbusinessasyouplease.Herearesomeofthemanybenefitsyoucanexpectinthisfabulouscareer…




Help Others

Inmanycases,youwillbethefirstpointofcontactinwhatsomeconsiderastickysituation.Comingtotherescueofsomeoneinneedisindeedgratifying.Leakyroofnightmares,draftywindowsinanelderlycouple’shome,orpaintingababy’snurserycanbeconqueredunderyourcraftsmanship.Establishingyourselfasatrustworthy,skilledprofessionalwillguaranteeyourepeatcustomersforalongtime.

BeYourOwnBoss

Partofthejoyofowningyourownbusinessisnotonlywatchingthejourneyunfold,butsteeringtheship.Owningyourownbusinessmeanssettingyourhours,choosingyourownprojects,andtakingcharge.Beingincontrolofyourdailyworkdecisionsandthelongtermoutcomeofyourprofessionallifeissomethingyouhavetolookforwardto.

BeSeenasanExpert

Yourhandypersonbusinesscansetyouuptobecomeanauthorityinyourfield.Peoplewilllooktoyouforadviceandhireyoutohelpfinishtheirtaskswithoutbeingstressed.Asyoubuildyourbusinessandhelpyourclientsfindsolutionstounpredictablerepairs,botchedprojects,orhomemaintenanceresponsibilities,wordwilltravelandyour popularity and reputation will increase.

Youwillgetachancetointeractwithmembersofyourcommunityasyoudevelopaprofessionalnetwork.Handypersonbusinessownersrecognizethatnetworkingisoneofthemostimportantwaystomakecontactsandgathernewclients.Asyoudevelopasolidreputation,youwillfindthatyoumaybecomeknowninyourownarea,andcertainlyin your business community.

MeetNewChallenges

Some days, when you arrive at a homeowner’s residence, the scene canbeadisaster.Othertimes,itcanjustrequireextra-sharpproblemsolvingabilities.Fromunfinishedprojectstoemergencyleaks,yourdaywillgreetyouwithanewchallenge.Bylearninghowtoflipthese




scenariosontheirheads,youwillmastertheseobstacles,gainingexperiencealongtheway.

FinancialRewards

Withsomanypeoplewillingtoinvestinatrustworthyprofessionallikeyou,youhavetheabilitytoturnyourbusinessintoaprofitableventure.Yourentrepreneurialpursuitastheownerofahandypersonbusinesswillallowyoutoscaleasyouwant,whenyouwant.Projectbyproject,youcanbuildalucrativeincome!

1.4 Inside This GuideInthepagesthatfollow,youwillfindoutexactlywhatyouneedtodototurnyourpassionsintoasuccessfulbusiness.Youwilllearnhowtopackageandmarkettheskillsyoualreadyhave,andhowtoacquiretheskills that may be new to you.

Chapter2(WhataHandypersonDoes)willintroduceyoutoareasofspecializationforyourhandypersonbusiness.ShouldIspecialize?Whatarethebestwaystooffermyexpertise?Youwillbeintroducedtopotentialmarketsforyourskillsandinterests.Youwillalsolearntoolsofthetrade,howtomakesmallrepairs,andhowtoworkwithclients. Chapter3(GettingReady)helpsyouprepareforgettingintothehomemaintenancebusiness,nomatterwhichbranch.Wediscusswaystolearnhands-on,educationandcertificationprograms,andresourcesforself-study.Inadditiontoknowingyourownspecialty,havingcertainsetsofskillsinbusiness,communication,andcustomerservicewillnotonlyimpressyourclients,butmakeiteasierforyoutomanageyourday-to-dayactivitiesastheownerofahandypersonbusiness.

InChapter4(StartingYourHandypersonBusiness),youwilllearnhowtosetupyourhandypersonbusiness.Coveringalltheessentialsofstartingabusiness,you’lllearnthelegal,financial,andplanningaspectsofrunningabusiness.Learnhowtosetfees,andoperateyourbusinessfromhomeoranoffice,withorwithoutemployees.Wehelpyoutosimplifyandstreamlinebusinessprocessessotheyaren’tintimidatingoroverwhelmingonceyoustartearningmoney.




InChapter5(GettingCustomers)youwilllearnavarietyofmarketingstrategies tohelppromoteyourbusiness.Buildingaportfolio,leveragingsocialmedia,andteamingupwithfriendsandfamilyarealldiscussed.Combiningtrustyoldschooltechniqueswithtechsavvymethodscanhelptoboostyourvisibilityforthosewhoneedyourservicesthemost.Ourexpertshavesharedtheirtipsonhowtheygrewtheirbusinesses,andwhat’sworkedbestforthem.

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Documents

FabJob Guide to Become a Handyperson Business Owner · FabJob Guide to Become a Handyperson Business Owner ... As the owner of a handyperson business (also known as a handyman, jack-of-all-trades,