Start a handyman business with a small investment in tools and training. Chris Stein/Digital Vision/Getty Images Handyman business startup needs depend on the scope of work you are capable of and willing to provide. Starting a handyman business follows the same procedures and rules as any other business, but will be distinguished by your talents, professionalism and reputation. Generally, you will be able to start with a minimum investment in tools, business and skill training, and may run the business from your home. Skill Training Being a handyman carries a "do-it-all" expectation from your customers, but formal or practical training and experience are paramount to success. Only offer skills you are experienced in, and endeavor to learn others by taking courses or reading books. You may start small and grow your business as you learn new techniques and procedures. Professional Licensing And Job Permits Some states require any home or commercial repair person to obtain a contractor's license, with qualifications that vary according from state-to-state.

Some repair jobs, such as those involving intermediate or advanced construction, electrical, plumbing, heating and other home or commercial systems, are illegal to perform without an additional specialty trade license, so you must investigate which jobs are legal to perform if you lack the necessary documentation. Local building permits are also required for many repair jobs, so check with local building authorities to see which repair jobs require permits. Failure to obtain licenses and permits may result in fines and criminal penalties. Tools And Supplies Tools and supplies will vary according to the job, but may be obtained at local hardware and home improvement stores. Your tools are business assets, and the costs may be amortized over the life of your business or the tool. Supplies are considered job costs, and are generally billed to the customer or included in the overall job price. Vehicle You will need a reliable vehicle that will safely transport your tools and supplies. A pickup or flat-bed truck, station wagon or SUV is usually sufficient for most handyman businesses, and it should be reasonably clean and attractive to present a professional business image.

Insurance Business liability insurance may be required for contracting businesses in your state, but is a smart idea even if it isn't. Liability insurance will protect you and your customers in case something goes wrong on the job, and can be used as a confidence-building selling point in your marketing and advertising efforts. business for sale maitland nswMarketing and Advertising Your handyman business will need marketing and advertising to gain customers. business for sale tewantinBusiness cards, stationery, fliers, brochures, portable work-site and magnetic vehicle signs are basic marketing aid necessities, and small ads in local publications and community websites are generally sufficient for advertising purposes. business for sale nowra nsw

Direct mail or door-to-door distribution are common marketing methods for small handyman businesses, but you will need to follow a regular marketing schedule to achieve satisfactory results. business for sale 32034Business Permits And Tax Registration A general business permit from your town hall and a state tax registration certificate is normally all that is required to make your business legal, aside from any required contracting and trade licenses. business for sale almonte ontarioSince many small handyman businesses operate as sole-proprietors, additional business structure paperwork will only be required by your secretary of state office if you structure the business as a corporation, limited liability company or partnership. business for sale illawarra south coast

In these cases, you will also require a Taxpayer Identification Number from the Internal Revenue Service and an Employer Identification Number if you will hire employees. References HomeTechOnline: What Is the Handyman Business?Handyman Edge: Starting a Handyman Business Photo Credits Chris Stein/Digital Vision/Getty Images Suggest an Article CorrectionBe sure to scroll down... there may be more than one question on this page! You sound like the perfect handyman... young (by my standards), handy (of course), motivatedThe last criteria... available... probably won't last for long once you hang out your shingle! have more work than you can possibly handle within a few years... maybe sooner if you live in a very populous area. In many areas, there are too few reliable handymen serving too many needy clients. situation (for the customer, anyway) has occurred for a number ofThe first is that many very skilled people don't want to take the chance of striking out on their own.

their concerns... until a handyman business becomes well known and develops a following of loyal customers (and the endless flow of referrals), there is always the risk of "cash flow" problems... e.g. not enough income to pay the bills! Another reason is that many handymen are overwhelmed by the demands of their successful business. Though it may seem inconceivable that "too much business" is possible, it is a fact of life in a one-man (orAfter all, how much work can one person do in a day? And how many hours can one person work before the quality of ALL his work deteriorates? What about personal life andYes... a small handyman business can own YOU if you let it get out of control. To some people, a regular "9 to 5" job can look pretty good when the weight of overwhelming So, you asked for advice. nutshell, here is a list of important considerations... 1) Develop your skills as you go! Don't be afraid to try something new but also be honest with your

clients about your skills. If you are wary about a certain type of job OR if you prefer not to do certain types of work, be upfront with your customers... you will gain their respect and trust. 2) Control your destiny byMake a few fundamental decisions now regarding the type of work you will do and the job size you feelThese parameters will change as your business matures but you must decide from the get-go the kind of home repair business you want. If you like long-term projects, then you will use small jobs to fill in the gaps. If you hate long commitments, then only schedule larger jobs during slow times. Again, these are things you will learn by trial and error as you get a sense of seasonal workflow in your area. 3) Don't be afraid to refuse work! This is the biggest mistake a handyman can make. colleagues, etc. may approach you to take on projects you are not ready for or just flat-out don't want to do. Well, my advice is to

Keep in mind one thing... it is YOUR business andBalancing the needs of your business with your personal goals will keep you sane in the long run. 4) Consult a startup filings expert or visit you state or locality's website to understand the state and local rules regarding your business! Some areas require registration or licensing. Some areas severely limit the handyman's ability to do certain types of "protected" crafts such as plumbing and electrical work.  Some areas require written contracts for certain types of work or certain dollar amounts.  Keep yourself legal and keep yourself in business. Good luck and have fun... loving the work makes it much easier! Unfortunately, there are no hard and fast rules concerning the work you can and can't legally do in any state. The laws vary so widely and some are worded so vaguely that whatever your interpretation, you could still be ruled wrong in Judging by the way the CT law is written, you may be quoting from the

"definition" of electrical work, not the regulations regarding it. CT has some common sense exceptions to licensing requirements. enough electricians to do the work if every single job involving an electrical appliance needed a licensed electrician on hand. For example, the CT statute "The provisions (of the law) shall not apply to... persons engaged in the installation, maintenance, repair and service of electrical or other appliances of a size customarily used for domestic use where such installation commences at an outlet receptacle or connection previously installed by persons licensed to do the same and maintenance, repair and service is confined to the appliance itself and its internal operation." (If you are interested in reading the original text, here is the url of the In my non-legal reading of this rule, it appears to say that as long as a "licensed electrical contractor" performed the initial installation of all wiring according to the electrical code, it would appear that non-licensed

persons may perform future installations or repairs as long as the work the electrician did is not modified or undone. For example, an unlicensed person cannot install original wiring for a garbage disposal but CAN replace garbage disposal that had been previously installed. The same would apply to dishwashers and other "hard-wired" appliances. Similar rules apply for plumbing work, with shutoff valves and soldered joints being the limiting connections allowing repair and replacement of toilets and faucets by non-licensed individuals. Therefore, a handyman can do a variety of plumbing and electrical jobs in Connecticut within the legal framework and within his own education and skill level. Some states have very few restrictions on work that "overlaps" into the crafts... others have very Of course, the actual "line" of legality is always somewhat vague and I shouldn't have to remind anyone how important it is for any businessman to