Are you still on the fence with whether or not a handyman business can actually work?  Or, are you hesitant to get started?  If so, you’re going to get inspired by this episode where I share a great interview with brand new Australian handyman business owner, Justin Terrill.This is the first time I’ve had a handyman on the show who is just getting started, and it turned out amazing.Justin started his handyman business only a couple of months ago and is already booked out two weeks in advance while charging a premium for his services.  He was previously a teacher, when he realized that he enjoyed working with his hands much more.  So, he put his skills that he learned from working on a farm to good use and got started with his handyman business in Sydney, Australia.I got in touch with Justin when he contacted me to thank me for helping him get started.  As a member of the Handyman Web Academy and a reader of this blog, he took action on the knowledge that he learned and has had amazing results.

It was inspiring to talk with Justin, and even though he’s just getting started, I learned a lot from him.  Whether you are just getting started or have been in business for a while, Justin’s got some great insights to share.Here’s what we cover in this episode:The marketing methods Justin used to jumpstart his business.Why customers aren’t just looking for the highest skilled handyman and what they want instead.How a handyman business is surprisingly profitable.handyman services portland meChallenges of going from employee to business owner.business for sale durban junk mailTalking money with customers and tips for getting more comfortable.business for sale dolgellau

The importance of choosing your clients.Simple and effective tips for getting more referrals.The importance of a professional image.Resources mentioned in the PodcastThe Handyman Web Academy (Click here for free video training and to learn more.)My 2012 Yearly Report (referred to as “your startup guide” in the episode by Justin.)Justin’s Website:  Prime Handyman SolutionsThanks for listening.  I hope you enjoyed this podcast.  businesses for sale 37043If so, please do me a favor and leave a short written review on iTunes.  handyman services in utah countyAlso, be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss an episode!rent a husband handyman servicesThe One Thing Not to Do When Paying for Home RepairsQ: My handyman gives me a discount if I pay in cash, and my tree guy asks me to make a check out to him personally.

I assume neither one is claiming the income on his taxes. Am I breaking any laws—or ethical principles—when I oblige?A: “Cash is still an acceptable form of payment, last I heard,” says Grand Rapids, Mich., certified financial planner Justin Hales, "even though I hardly ever carry it anymore." And there’s nothing either legally or morally questionable about paying cash for a home improvement.“Think of all those coffee shops and restaurants that take only cash,” Hales notes. “Maybe they’re cheating on their taxes, maybe they’re not. It’s not the consumer’s obligation to figure that out.”After all, your tree guy or handyman can short the IRS whether you pay with a check, credit card, Apple Pay, or Bitcoin. There are valid reasons besides tax evasion that he may prefer cash, such as to save the transaction fees on credit card payments or cut down on trips to the bank to deposit checks.As long as you’re hiring companies you’ve fully vetted, and that you know are licensed and carry both workman’s comp and liability insurance, there’s no downside to paying cash or with a check made out to the individual rather than his business, Hales says.

If you don’t have cash on hand and a he suggests a check made out to “cash,” the ethics are a bit messier. “There’s no really good legitimate reason" to ask for such a check, says Hales. “He still has to go to the bank, unless he wants to pay a check-cashing store to cash it.” So he almost surely is looking to avoid showing the income on his taxes, which means you’re abetting his tax evasion—and if you’re receiving a discount for it, you’re also benefiting from the illegal maneuver.Because cash provides no proof of payment, make sure you get a signed receipt for each payment you make. The receipt should specify the work done, the date, and the price. If the handyman gave you a detailed proposal spelling out the particulars of the job, he can simply write “paid in full” on that paperwork with his signature and date. That way you have proof of the work he did—and proof that you don’t owe him for it. All products and services featured are based solely on editorial selection.

MONEY may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website.Quotes delayed at least 15 minutes. Market data provided by Interactive Data. S&P Index data is the property of Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. and its licensors. Powered and implemented by Interactive Data Managed Solutions★ OWNED BY MILITARY VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES.   Justin Pollard graduated high school a semester early, to enlist in the Unites States Army Reserves January of 2002. Justin completed basic training and Military Police training in Missouri in November 2002. One year later in December of 2003, Justin was deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom in Camp Ashraf, Iraq. Justin was deployed for about 12 months conducting detainee operations and convoy security. Justin returned from his deployment in December of 2004 and started working for American Tire Distributor as an assistant operations manager. Justin married his high school sweetheart, Emily in 2005. Justin and Emily had their first child Brookelyn in December of 2005.

Justin continued to work until he was called back to active duty October 2008 to Iraq working in Detainee Operations at Camp Bucca. He returned from Iraq in October of 2009 returning to work as an operations manager for CFI Tire. Justin and Emily had twins, Brody (boy) and Bentlie (girl) in November of 2010. In 2012 Justin started working for the State of Iowa as a Corrections Officer. Justin was called to active duty for a third time November of 2013 to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba working in detainee operations. Justin returned from active duty December of 2014 and again returned back to his employment as a corrections officer. JDog Altoona, Iowa is the first JDog franchise in Iowa and we are excited to have this opportunity to bring the JDog brand to Iowa. We are home-based in Altoona and currently serve all of Central Iowa. Our goal is to grow the JDog business and provide long term rewarding employment for our military veterans. JDog Iowa looks forward to building long-standing relationships with our customers and business partners in the community.