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What will I be doing ?
Some people love variety. They want a business that will challenge them every day. They enjoy being a jack-or jill-of all trades. And they love working with their hands.
To match these skills, many people need someone who is “handy” to do a variety of odd jobs : hauling, painting, fixing, buliding, stacking or trimming. So the solution is to match those who need and those who are handy. That’s actually the easy part.

What will I need to start ?
To be handy is to be skilled and clever with your hands. To be a handy person is to have a variety of skills and to not be afraid of learning new ones. The more you learn the more you earn. To start a handyperson service you will also need some tools. You will need transportation such as a pickup truck. One enterprising handyperson took the back seat out of and old family sedan, removed the barrier between the seat and the trunk, and was able to haul everything from plywood and lumber to cans of paint in the space.
Gather together your tools-you may have everything you need right now. A handyperson who was asked to paint a shed purchased the equipment needed for the job and was able to use the equipment for dozens of later painting jobs.
You may also need a license or permit. Check with the state or local contractor licensing board to find out. If you must, remember that the licensing is intended to protect your customers. Make the best of it.

Who will my customers be ?
As a handyperson, you will find that most of your customers will probably be homeowners. In fact, you may decide to specialize in helping homeowners in a specific part of your town. Or you may prefer cleaning and hauling jobs over painting and wallpapering. Another handyperson may decide to work for shop owners as they renovate an older downtown commercial area. And yet another might do cleanup work at a small industrial park, taking loads of scrap to the dump and used boxes to the recyler.
If your customers live in a geographic area, spend a few days taking your fliers door to door. Talk with potential customers and find out what types of jobs they need.

How much should I charge ?
A handyperson can establish an hourly rate of $20 to $50, depending on skills and equipment. For example, a handyperson who tends lawns with little equipment requirements may be on the low side of the scale while one with a hauling truck and lots of skills and tools may be on the higher side.
With experience, you’ll find that you’re doing the same three or four types of jobs over and over. Thought it may sound boring, there is still variety. Better, it will help you become more efficient and make your estimates more accurate. You can then look at a job and quote an accurate price to the customer without revealing your hourly rate.
“Trimming up these bushes will cost just $15 if I can do it next week when I’m in the neighborhood”. You calculated the job as needing a half-hour with an hourly rate of $30 an hour. The customer calculates that the same job would take him two hours and is willing to trade the 15 bucks for two extra hours on the golf course. Everybody wins.

How much will I make ?
Initially, you will spend most of your time finding customers and jobs. Once established, about 25 percent of your time will be needed for marketing your services and quoting jobs. Your overhead expenses will depend on the cost of your equipment and the amount of advertising you must do to attract business. Overhead expenses, including taxes, will range from a low of 20 percent to as much as 50 percent of every dollar of income.

How can I get started ?
First, decide whether you need licenses, permits or bonding for your handyperson service. If so, get them-or at least know how to get them once you’re ready to start your business.
Second, identify your knowledge and skills. Then think about who might be willing to trade money for these skills. Next, talk to a few of these people to make sure your thinking is accurate. Also ask them what they would be willing to pay for a specific job. Looking at the job, estimate the time needed and decide whether you can earn a fair fee for your time. If so, try to get the job.

From the book of Dan Ramsey, Title : 101 Best Home Businesses, CAREER PRESS, 3 Tice Road, P.O. Box 687, Franklin Lakes, NJ 07417, 1-800-CAREER-1, 201-848-0310 (NJ and outside U.S.), FAX : 201-848-1727

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