How to Start a Business as a Handyman

The handyman industry is an exciting one to be in if you enjoy getting stuff fixed and repaired. And you have the skills to show for it. So if that's you, and you want to take your handyman experience to the next level, here are some tips from SP Marketing Experts on how to transform your profession into your new business venture.

Pick a trade - any trade
Pick a trade - any trade

Pick a trade - any trade

Deciding on the type of service you are going to be offering is the first step in choosing what business you are going to be doing. Of course, this depends on your level of expertise and what you have a passion for at the end of the day whether that be plumbing, tiling, painting, installing dry walls, repairing decks, etc.

A business plan will be necessary

If you are new to the world of business, then a business plan could give you the peace of mind you need to really go for it without doubt or fear getting the better of you. A business plan is also good to have to document the steps you will be taking throughout your business journey.

A business plan will be necessary
Applying for a license

Applying for a license

Depending on the handyman services you're offering and what state you're in, you'll need to get the relevant licensing or permit done so that you can get your business off its feet. For example, you may need to have a general contractor license to operate. But again this is really state-specific and very much dependent on what you do and how complex it is.

Getting the relevant capital you need to get started

In the handyman industry, you will need to have the right amount of capital to really get your business operational. And since tools and equipment are quite expensive, this may require looking for additional funds over and above your savings account in the form of a bank loan, a credit card, or a grant, for example.

Getting the relevant capital you need to get started
Marketing your business

Marketing your business

Usually, when it comes to marketing your business, you'll need to use the most up-to-date and sophisticated marketing methods this side of town to really get your business noticed. Here, your focus should be on getting a website up and running, using social media to do word-of-mouth marketing for you, and other more traditional forms of marketing such as business cards and flyers to work as complementary marketing techniques to make your marketing campaign that much more well-rounded.

Luckily, advertising is made far easier by the proliferation of social media. There are also plenty of ways to save money, too. For instance, this Instagram post maker is free to use, and it can go a long way in spreading the word about your business – including any particular offers or deals you might be running.

Software you can use to run your business more smoothly

In most cases, you will require software and apps to run your business more smoothly. Here's an option if you need software to help you with cost estimates; in a word, it should allow you to estimate labor and material costs quickly and easily, send estimates from your current location without a problem, set up a payment schedule for customers, as well as take into account your taxes when sending through an estimate. At the end of the day, it should not just end up saving you time, effort, and resources but it should, hopefully, aid you in making quicker more accurate decisions when scaling your business too.

Construction accounting software is also important because it needs to cater to your industry. Essentially handling your accounting and bookkeeping tasks should be made easier because you'll have a platform designed to specifically manage these tasks for you. Moreover, it'll take into account every major (and minor expense) as well as your income so that your profit and loss and balance sheet reports always tally up. And it should help you keep on top of your billing and tax requirements as well as manage your cash flow (including keeping track of your mileage expenses) so that you can maintain a positive cash flow at all times.

Software you can use to run your business more smoothly
Registering your business accordingly

Registering your business accordingly

Apart from thinking up a really catchy business name and equally catchy slogan and opening up a separate business bank account, you will also need to choose a business structure to go along with your business model, depending on the size and scope you eventually want your business to reach. An LLC is generally a good option to go with and one of the most popular options for first-time entrepreneurs looking to glean many of the benefits that come with choosing this business structure, one of the most important being its limited liability and the protection it gives to your personal assets.

Making customer service one of your foremost concerns

Customer service will be vitally important, especially in this industry where strong relationships are the foundation of your business. Moreover, customers are generally more inclined to promote your business if they can see you've gone above and beyond.

Starting a handyman business should be relatively easy in this day and age, with technology just ready and waiting to be used for your business's as well as your benefit.

At SP Marketing Experts, our mission is to help businesses run more efficiently and effectively online. Call 877-347-3376.

Making customer service one of your foremost concerns
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