How much do handymen usually charge and what's a good name?

[cuboid]

I would guess most handymen have some sort of minimum call out fee. What's a reasonable amount and then would £15 for each extra hour be a good price?

Regarding names, would the South Coast Handyman be better than Paul the Handyman?

sound more professional? Is it an issue to have the same name as someone else, surely if you make a website if the no one else has the same domain then it's fine, right? You're not going to register it with companys house.

 

[Newboy]

I would have thought that the "friendlier" the name, the more likely customers are to be attracted to a handyman service. Regarding pricing - how much do you need to earn, how much does it cost to run your service, what does your competition charge etc etc

 

[Pigeon85]

I feel that someone who goes on the back of their own name gives me more confidence and trust.

 

[cuboid]

I would have thought that the "friendlier" the name, the more likely customers are to be attracted to a handyman service. Regarding pricing - how much do you need to earn, how much does it cost to run your service, what does your competition charge etc etc

Well great because using your own name means there would be no chance of anyone suing you for copying their name for example if you used South Coast Handyman; but, I thought a name like that looked more professional on a website or flyer.

Costs aren't massive, but have to cover cost of petrol and tools. I think £15/per hr is reasonable after the first hr if using own tools and £13 if using theirs for the South Coast of Britain might be less up North. Reasonable?

 

[Newboy]

To be honest, I can't tell you if it's reasonable or not - but I do know that the costs of transport, plant/tools, insurance, admin & tax will soon destroy £15/hour

 

[big-all]

you need commercial insurance for your vehicle as its part or full buisiness use

 

[flameport]

I think £15/per hr is reasonable

If you charge that, you'll be lucky to end up with minimum wage after expenses.

 

[big-all]

the other side to the coin
dont expect to make any money till you become established and have a name for yourself when you can charge a bit more for being known and reliable
but dont expect people to pay more if your slow and learning on the job

 

[cuboid]

If you charge that, you'll be lucky to end up with minimum wage after expenses.

Fair point- it's always a tricky one- knowing what to charge and I guess it depends on the job you're doing. What's a good way to find out what other people are earning? I know for a reasonable maintenance gardener supplying his own tools and taking the stuff away if required - £15/hr is common here. I have no idea what decorators or carpenters charge per/hr.

How about image? If you're driving around in a dented scratched car opposed to a van does that affect what you can charge? Surely, it's the quality of your work that's important.

 

[Newboy]

What's a good way to find out what other people are earning?

Does it matter what other people are earning? - how much you need/want to earn is the important question.

I have no idea what decorators or carpenters charge per/hr.

Other trades tend to price for the job - For example: How much to paint a room rather than how many hours to paint a room and how much per hour

How about image? If you're driving around in a dented scratched car opposed to a van does that affect what you can charge? Surely, it's the quality of your work that's important.

Rightly or wrongly, first impressions count - if you turn up in a rust bucket then customer will make a judgement about you. On the other hand, turn up in a Rolls Royce and they will also make a judgement!

 

[HERTS P&D]

Is the OP trying to start a business as a handy man?

He needs to buy the tools and know how to use them before he can get going.

Not forgetting his PL.

Andy

 

[DaveHerns]

It probably would help to look smart and clean as well.

 

[Doggit]

Try looking in the local papers, and see what the competition looks like, and what they charge.

You need business cards, stationary, an accounts book to record purchase and sales, and an accountant. If you know how to use a spreadsheet, then you can do a few calculations as to expenses, and then work out what you need to live on, taking in to account that you need to keep back your tax money.

And at the end of all the calculations, if you're figures are within the range of the other local handymen, then you've got to work out what sets you apart from the others. Always turn up on time, be respectful, and keep things clean and tidy, then when you leave a couple of business cards, the customer will be more inclined to hand them out.

Best of luck.

 

[chappers]

Indeed, any reputation you earn will ultimately be more important than your charges and far more important than what you call yourself.
Also as Doggit suggests there is far more to running a business than your name and how much you charge.

 

[noseall]

It probably would help to look smart and clean as well.

That's me out of the running then.