I've been a self imployed handyman for over 10 years . I started on Craigslist. Tons and tons of people looking for help on Craigslist . Business cards help . Then word of mouth . Never not busy .
Biggest things to take from this is don't quit your day job until you are full on weekends, nights, and vacation days. If that is filled up and your social foundation is built with a year behind it, got some money in the business account so you dont have to commingle personal and business finances it makes the jump so much easier. Not impossible but way easier and less stressful. Especially if living on a tight budget. Love your content and thanks for sharing!
i know the best thing I did was quit working hourly. I now quote to make 100 per hour, and it is fairly easy to get. I know how to estimate, and I've been in the trade long enough to be efficient enough where the cost is fairly reasonable to the customer. It's funny - if you tell people you charge 100 bucks an hour as a carpenter, they lose their minds, comparing that to what they make at their job as an employee. But you say oh that will be 400 or 800 bucks, they say oh that is a good price. Best is existing customers that just want it done and they trust you do it, just send the bill. They never complain about the price or question anything after the fact.
I am a seasonal firefighter and I have handyman business I do on the side that I really love and want to grow. Myself and family come from the trades and I have been using tools since I could walk. The biggest thing that’s helped me is being able to talk to people, I have a natural ability to communicate with people and they trust me. I enjoy helping someone that doesn’t know how to fix a door, or just clean a gutter. They way to carry yourself and talk to people will get you so far in this, like you said.
May you be healthy and live a long life Handyman! My business is up and ready for customers, mainly because of you. It's been a long time coming, and a lot of your videos watched. Thank you for being a pillar in the industry!
I was torn on what business to start. I was already doing all of this work. After finding your CZcams I started my own handyman business and it’s changed my life.
Congratulations! I just got LLc to start mine. Unfortunately when I job found out about this I was let go and no I must find customers and began this exciting journey. Good luck to you.
Hey there HM! I have been watching you for a few years now, just thought I’d let you know, in my first year as a licensed remodeling contractor in CA, I am closing out this year making close to $275K. With the majority ($225K) of that in one project that is wrapping up in the next two weeks. I have appreciated your videos and your advice over the years. I have even been able to take a lot of the more trade technical lessons and turn them in to money for me and my family. Great video as always!
@@wuyizhang1495 top line revenue. 50%GP to cover my salary and OH. The deal was signed in September started October 15. It has taken a while to cultivate the lead sources through my network and now I am starting to get them to see as more than, “just the repair handyman.” I know $275 isn’t a killing in some areas, mine included, but compared to the previous years where I topped out at $80K gross revenue with a 33% GP if I was lucky this year has been a phenomenal year. Yes I know things will slow down in the next few months, but there are people who will still need their homes renovated, repaired and remodeled.
I used to be a commercial pilot, for....don't want to say, but I make more money as a handyman now. As a commercial pilot you can only fly so many hours per month based on the FAA regulations. I now make more money per hour than the highest paid most senior pilots flying boxes soon to be deliver to your front door. Your CZcams channels have made major strides in valuating and or giving us the 200 plus an hour charge to fix something not to mention remodeling. Thank you!
Have you been getting cold calls from some of these larger pm companies like blackstone? They started calling me out of the blue a few months ago. I did two jobs for them both large retail stores in my area. They seem a bit disorganized. I believe their dispatchers are calling from overseas.
So true I have a lady that has me change faucets hang things fix doors handrails whatnot then she has a guy that hangs Christmas lights she has a guy that cuts trees down has a guy to clean out a goat pen has the guy to clean out our fish tank basically has a guy to do everything and she likes hiring different people for every different thing crazy but that's how she likes it
I quit my handyman company. Going into the electrical union. Tried to make it work for 4 years. Waste of 4 years. I know everything from electrical to plumbing to framing, cement, tile, granite,. Didn't work out for me lol
Knowing the trades is much less important then knowing marketing, customer services and business management. Sounds like you would make a better employee then a business owner.
Where I am in Canada, you would be luck if the handy man can show up the same day just to look at your problem. You have to call around just to get your grass cut. I know how to do stuff but I dont have the time sometimes.
Hey man. Idk if you remember me commenting 6 months ago. I started my property maintenance biz down here in ATLANTA. Bro I hit 700 google views this month with no ads! I’m up 25 reviews with 5 stars. All this is thanks to you. God bless your family and business. You thought this man how to fish. -Builditbrothersllc
I have not done well on next door in my neighborhood everyone is looking for the most reasonable person it seems like that is what they put in their comments. I have gotten a few good jobs on there but I mainly get tire kickers so I don't even try on next door. But then again it must just be my neighborhood because I find plenty of people that have money just not on there. That is very cool making 10,000 in 2 weeks!!
Great advice. The live was entertaining. Just curious on all the social media, do you ever feel like it’s too many bells and whistles going on or was that something you were aware of but you knew it was limiting your exposure - thanks Handyman
There are different venues for handyman work. In Mobile, AL, where I live, there are plenty of handyman types running around. But there is one guy that caters to restaurants. He repairs restaurant equipment, HVAC, & Refrigeration. He makes bank. Another guy I know is a warehouse handyman. Makes great money doing it too.
@@TheHandymanBusiness Thanks man. I work in aviation building the Boeing 737 fuselage so I've worn Levis jeans almost everyday for the past 15 years because they're the only thing ive found that holds up to the daily grind. I go through about 3 pairs a year. They're more expensive than the Wranglers you wear and I imagine not nearly as comfortable
Price is dependent on where you live and who your customers are. I live in a very expensive part of the country where there is no middle class. There is very low competition for the work I do. The demand is very high. I typically make 4 to 5 times more then other places in the country because of the local market.
@@TheHandymanBusiness ah okay thank you for your response. I live in a country where government taxes are high as well as provincial taxes as well as other "necessary government programs" required to run a business like this and my problem is whenever I try to switch from cash operation to actual gov paid company my prices more than double and nobody will pay that. So, I am stuck doing top notch work for cash on the side lmfao.
I would wager that there aren’t many DIY’ers in Washington DC, NYC or other “sophisticated” cities. Hence the potential for success for a handyman business. It makes complete sense!
@@TheHandymanBusiness wow, that is kinda weird because, sunday night is when a few other people I watch also live stream so I always look to see who is streaming. Your live streaming on the tubes or Insta?
Holy crap! 2 Handydude videos in one day? Is it Christmas? Solid advice Handy. Making lean more and more toward following in your footsteps here where I live.
Hi handyman, have a question for you that I haven’t seen answered. Sunday night I texted my Monday customer a courtesy text letting them know I was coming at 9am. 40 minutes later they sent me a text saying they needed to reschedule. What’s your policy on rescheduling?
I'm not the Handyman and would be interested in his answer as well. I'll share my system which works great is simply telling customers I have a 2-3 week queue of jobs. If for any reason they need to reschedule, it'll likely be another few weeks before I can be back. Customer's hate waiting so I've never had one reschedule/cancel so far. It also let's them know your very in demand (even if you aren't) and that you don't have time to tolerate flaking/begging for their work/etc
You can tile over linoleum. Id not recommend it. But if the linoleum is very well attached. And you scuff it up so the thinset has something to grab on to. AND it's not the cushioned type.. The cushioned type moves too much, making cracks likely in the future and grout to pop.
200 thousand for a "handyman"? Yeah, for a 55 year old in a 25 year old body. C'mon man! We dont even have handyman licenses in Florida, just licensed residential contractors doing the "handyman" stuff. Judging by the comments, I like how contractors are calling themselves "handymen". Why on earth would you do that to yourself? 150 bucks to change a ceiling fan? Not unless you're a licensed electrician. Oh....hush, hush, under the umbrella illegally; I got ya! This is such a convoluted....dare I call it, trade anymore. I have held numerous specialty licenses and do all trades well, including lightbulbs and appliance repair🙃 and I would NEVER call my self a handyman. Personally, I am a master, turn key solution. Not even the contractors can make such a truthful claim. Subs anyone?? Great stuff other than this stupid thumbnail..lol
In some states you don’t need to be an electrician to do that stuff. Hooking up appliances and what not. I think It’s usually specified by a certain distance of wire that you can tinker with, or certain length out of the wall, Or to the first J-Box blah blah. Let’s be clear, changing outlets or hooking up a ceiling fan is not the same as wiring and hooking up a panel, Or allocating enough power to different things. Thats the stuff for an electrician…. They didn’t get their license to fix ceiling fans…
I hired a locksmith a month ago and he showed up in a tank top, shorts, and flip-flops. He did good work but I felt very uncomfortable with him in my home and I won't hire him again. He looked like a meth head.
@@TheHandymanBusiness normally I'm working but I injured my knee and have been on my azz for 2 weeks. So I guess whoever is first is a slug who lays out of work. It's killin me but luckily The Handyman comes thru with a new episode😀
My amazon store to find all my tools www.amazon.com/shop/thehandyman1
I've been a self imployed handyman for over 10 years . I started on Craigslist. Tons and tons of people looking for help on Craigslist . Business cards help . Then word of mouth . Never not busy .
Biggest things to take from this is don't quit your day job until you are full on weekends, nights, and vacation days. If that is filled up and your social foundation is built with a year behind it, got some money in the business account so you dont have to commingle personal and business finances it makes the jump so much easier. Not impossible but way easier and less stressful. Especially if living on a tight budget. Love your content and thanks for sharing!
No matter what it’s good to have 6 months of personal expenses saved up for any life event.
I agree. I decided to stay as a part time handyman and it allows me to cherry pick my jobs.
I am learning this lesson now the hard way. I must love doing things the hard way.
i know the best thing I did was quit working hourly. I now quote to make 100 per hour, and it is fairly easy to get. I know how to estimate, and I've been in the trade long enough to be efficient enough where the cost is fairly reasonable to the customer.
It's funny - if you tell people you charge 100 bucks an hour as a carpenter, they lose their minds, comparing that to what they make at their job as an employee. But you say oh that will be 400 or 800 bucks, they say oh that is a good price. Best is existing customers that just want it done and they trust you do it, just send the bill. They never complain about the price or question anything after the fact.
I clean carpet, and I generate about $300/hr in revenue. If I told customers that I charge $300/hr, customers would laugh me out of their house.
I am a seasonal firefighter and I have handyman business I do on the side that I really love and want to grow. Myself and family come from the trades and I have been using tools since I could walk. The biggest thing that’s helped me is being able to talk to people, I have a natural ability to communicate with people and they trust me. I enjoy helping someone that doesn’t know how to fix a door, or just clean a gutter. They way to carry yourself and talk to people will get you so far in this, like you said.
That’s the truth
May you be healthy and live a long life Handyman! My business is up and ready for customers, mainly because of you. It's been a long time coming, and a lot of your videos watched. Thank you for being a pillar in the industry!
Google Ads. Hard to do, but the knowledge is worth it's weight in gold.
I was torn on what business to start. I was already doing all of this work. After finding your CZcams I started my own handyman business and it’s changed my life.
Congratulations! I just got LLc to start mine. Unfortunately when I job found out about this I was let go and no I must find customers and began this exciting journey. Good luck to you.
Great information! I really appreciate you and other CZcamsrs for sharing your extremely valuable knowledge and experience so you can help others!
Hey there HM! I have been watching you for a few years now, just thought I’d let you know, in my first year as a licensed remodeling contractor in CA, I am closing out this year making close to $275K. With the majority ($225K) of that in one project that is wrapping up in the next two weeks. I have appreciated your videos and your advice over the years. I have even been able to take a lot of the more trade technical lessons and turn them in to money for me and my family. Great video as always!
275k revenue or income before tax
@@wuyizhang1495 top line revenue. 50%GP to cover my salary and OH. The deal was signed in September started October 15. It has taken a while to cultivate the lead sources through my network and now I am starting to get them to see as more than, “just the repair handyman.” I know $275 isn’t a killing in some areas, mine included, but compared to the previous years where I topped out at $80K gross revenue with a 33% GP if I was lucky this year has been a phenomenal year. Yes I know things will slow down in the next few months, but there are people who will still need their homes renovated, repaired and remodeled.
I used to be a commercial pilot, for....don't want to say, but I make more money as a handyman now. As a commercial pilot you can only fly so many hours per month based on the FAA regulations. I now make more money per hour than the highest paid most senior pilots flying boxes soon to be deliver to your front door. Your CZcams channels have made major strides in valuating and or giving us the 200 plus an hour charge to fix something not to mention remodeling. Thank you!
Have you been getting cold calls from some of these larger pm companies like blackstone?
They started calling me out of the blue a few months ago. I did two jobs for them both large retail stores in my area. They seem a bit disorganized. I believe their dispatchers are calling from overseas.
Great talk Handy. New camera is paying off on video quality.
So true I have a lady that has me change faucets hang things fix doors handrails whatnot then she has a guy that hangs Christmas lights she has a guy that cuts trees down has a guy to clean out a goat pen has the guy to clean out our fish tank basically has a guy to do everything and she likes hiring different people for every different thing crazy but that's how she likes it
yep lol
Good info! I’d love to hear what your sales tactics sound like or what sales books you found most useful.
I used the Wolf of Wall Streets method. I found all his seminars online and watched them. Its crazy how well it worked.
I quit my handyman company. Going into the electrical union. Tried to make it work for 4 years. Waste of 4 years. I know everything from electrical to plumbing to framing, cement, tile, granite,. Didn't work out for me lol
Knowing the trades is much less important then knowing marketing, customer services and business management. Sounds like you would make a better employee then a business owner.
Possible thst you look like a pedo and your name is sex raptor
Watching on break from my first job
Very encouraging
I’m 37. Goin for it
On point Handyman 👌🏻
3:00 and you gotta know how to whistle while you work.❤😊
Where I am in Canada, you would be luck if the handy man can show up the same day just to look at your problem. You have to call around just to get your grass cut. I know how to do stuff but I dont have the time sometimes.
Hey man. Idk if you remember me commenting 6 months ago. I started my property maintenance biz down here in ATLANTA. Bro I hit 700 google views this month with no ads! I’m up 25 reviews with 5 stars. All this is thanks to you. God bless your family and business. You thought this man how to fish.
-Builditbrothersllc
I have not done well on next door in my neighborhood everyone is looking for the most reasonable person it seems like that is what they put in their comments. I have gotten a few good jobs on there but I mainly get tire kickers so I don't even try on next door. But then again it must just be my neighborhood because I find plenty of people that have money just not on there. That is very cool making 10,000 in 2 weeks!!
We made $2k in a mo from NextDoor last year. Mostly clean outs and fencing.
@@ad6417 I have heard of it being very resourceful in a metropolitan more populated area but in the country Pickens are tough on their.
Great advice. The live was entertaining. Just curious on all the social media, do you ever feel like it’s too many bells and whistles going on or was that something you were aware of but you knew it was limiting your exposure - thanks Handyman
I'm not exactly sure what you mean. There is a lot to the social media business. I like the challenge of it.
4:15 I can VOUCH for that!!!! I make money and I tried to do the DIY thing and it was TOO HARD!!! I’d rather pay someone to do it now. HE HE HE
Thank you for the inspiration, Handy!
There are different venues for handyman work. In Mobile, AL, where I live, there are plenty of handyman types running around. But there is one guy that caters to restaurants. He repairs restaurant equipment, HVAC, & Refrigeration. He makes bank.
Another guy I know is a warehouse handyman. Makes great money doing it too.
There is good money in restaurant work, have to know what you're doing though.
Yup, businesses can't afford to shutdown so they gotta fix things and fix em quick! Good money in commercial for sure
Money money money 🤣💕👍
Odd question, what kind of pants are those? Looking for something similar that has good stretch and flexibility but still durable
I have about 8 pairs of these. They use to be less expensive. I stopped wearing jeans 7 or 8 years ago. amzn.to/3u8lgIr
@@TheHandymanBusiness Thanks man. I work in aviation building the Boeing 737 fuselage so I've worn Levis jeans almost everyday for the past 15 years because they're the only thing ive found that holds up to the daily grind. I go through about 3 pairs a year. They're more expensive than the Wranglers you wear and I imagine not nearly as comfortable
Great video Handy
Can you tell us some of your sales techniques?
can you do a video on how to price individual things such as changing a smoke detector to replacing a whole door and trim etc. for like a flat price.
Price is dependent on where you live and who your customers are. I live in a very expensive part of the country where there is no middle class. There is very low competition for the work I do. The demand is very high. I typically make 4 to 5 times more then other places in the country because of the local market.
@@TheHandymanBusiness ah okay thank you for your response. I live in a country where government taxes are high as well as provincial taxes as well as other "necessary government programs" required to run a business like this and my problem is whenever I try to switch from cash operation to actual gov paid company my prices more than double and nobody will pay that. So, I am stuck doing top notch work for cash on the side lmfao.
So what was the one big change you made to yur sales strategy?
I would wager that there aren’t many DIY’ers in Washington DC, NYC or other “sophisticated” cities. Hence the potential for success for a handyman business. It makes complete sense!
Supply and demand.
Can you replace your own engine and transmission?
Yes. I have done lots of motor swaps in the past.
It so hard to find you streaming anymore. Every sunday night? You go live after most people go to bed?
I started the last one early around 8 pm. It was 6.5 hours long.
@@TheHandymanBusiness wow, that is kinda weird because, sunday night is when a few other people I watch also live stream so I always look to see who is streaming. Your live streaming on the tubes or Insta?
I do the q and a on my Instagram stories. I did have a live stream last week though.
I got confused at the end of your video. Word of mouth or pay for a webpage and social media?
Watch it again and listen
Thoughts on running a specialty trade company
Its a good idea. You many have to do more marketing to keep employees busy.
Holy crap! 2 Handydude videos in one day? Is it Christmas? Solid advice Handy. Making lean more and more toward following in your footsteps here where I live.
Y’all should’ve checked out the livestream! Always good info and nice to see the community come together
Funny that the average city folk don’t know how to use a screwdriver. What no $#@= paid vacation?
50-60 empty nester and you think he’s young?? Bro I’ll have an empty nest when I’m 45 and I have 3 kids 😂😂
City people don't have kids till their in their late thirties
Hi handyman, have a question for you that I haven’t seen answered. Sunday night I texted my Monday customer a courtesy text letting them know I was coming at 9am. 40 minutes later they sent me a text saying they needed to reschedule.
What’s your policy on rescheduling?
I'm not the Handyman and would be interested in his answer as well. I'll share my system which works great is simply telling customers I have a 2-3 week queue of jobs. If for any reason they need to reschedule, it'll likely be another few weeks before I can be back. Customer's hate waiting so I've never had one reschedule/cancel so far. It also let's them know your very in demand (even if you aren't) and that you don't have time to tolerate flaking/begging for their work/etc
That’s life keep it moving .. what do you think you’re gonna do charge them 😂
Tile over linoleum?
You can tile over linoleum. Id not recommend it. But if the linoleum is very well attached. And you scuff it up so the thinset has something to grab on to. AND it's not the cushioned type..
The cushioned type moves too much, making cracks likely in the future and grout to pop.
200 thousand for a "handyman"? Yeah, for a 55 year old in a 25 year old body. C'mon man! We dont even have handyman licenses in Florida, just licensed residential contractors doing the "handyman" stuff. Judging by the comments, I like how contractors are calling themselves "handymen". Why on earth would you do that to yourself? 150 bucks to change a ceiling fan? Not unless you're a licensed electrician. Oh....hush, hush, under the umbrella illegally; I got ya! This is such a convoluted....dare I call it, trade anymore. I have held numerous specialty licenses and do all trades well, including lightbulbs and appliance repair🙃 and I would NEVER call my self a handyman. Personally, I am a master, turn key solution. Not even the contractors can make such a truthful claim. Subs anyone?? Great stuff other than this stupid thumbnail..lol
In some states you don’t need to be an electrician to do that stuff. Hooking up appliances and what not. I think It’s usually specified by a certain distance of wire that you can tinker with, or certain length out of the wall, Or to the first J-Box blah blah. Let’s be clear, changing outlets or hooking up a ceiling fan is not the same as wiring and hooking up a panel, Or allocating enough power to different things. Thats the stuff for an electrician…. They didn’t get their license to fix ceiling fans…
100% he’s bsing
❤❤❤❤
I think one or more words are missing from the title.
I hired a locksmith a month ago and he showed up in a tank top, shorts, and flip-flops. He did good work but I felt very uncomfortable with him in my home and I won't hire him again. He looked like a meth head.
Can I perhaps work with you, HandyMan? I have the same skills.
No
Did the livestream not happen?
Oh it happened lol. Late night!
LOL
Exhausted a lot of letters…
@@TheHandymanBusiness i didn't get a notification?
First?
You got it.
@@TheHandymanBusiness normally I'm working but I injured my knee and have been on my azz for 2 weeks. So I guess whoever is first is a slug who lays out of work. It's killin me but luckily The Handyman comes thru with a new episode😀
The Handyman Cyber Monday Spectacular! 👉🏼💵💰🔨🪚🪜🔩🔧🪛🧰
That was a cheap shot about the trailer park, very disrespectful, do you feel you are above someone who lives in a trailer park?
He could live in a trailer park for all you know
Yes
too much headache,dont recommend this job to anybody,money is not everything
Its the only thing that matters.