Setting up as a handyman?

[mattylad]

Hiya folks, since I'm now unemployed it has been suggested that I setup as a local handyman doing those little jobs that many of the locals can't manage.

Like fitting curtain rails, setting up new tellies, fixing windows, small DIY type jobs that I normally do for myself etc.
(certainly not doing any gas or electrical work)
Anything I'm unsure of I should be able to either find advice about or recommend someone else if I think I can't do it.

The people I have spoken to about this locally all have the need, also know plenty of others in need of a handyman.
(lots of widows & divorced women - lol).

So I'm considering it, what I'm wondering is what I need to be doing to do this?

Insurance - any suggestions on where is good for insurance for this?
I know to keep all in/out reciepts.

Any other advice?

Cheers.

 

[kevindgas]

I did this when i first started up on my own first year took on anything second year a bit more careful, third year stuck to plumbing, gas and electrical by year 10 i only did gas, electrical and solar which is where i still am

there is no money in odd jobbing all you get is ****e jobs from ****e people who in the main are as tight as a badger backside.

but hey don't let that put you off

 

[John506]

Gotta strart somewhere, I take any work myself at the moment.

www.insuremyliability.co.uk is best place for insurance.

Didn't you have that you were from Merseyside not long ago?

 

[big-all]

yep the trouble is the people you are talking about more often have very little disposable income

be prepaired to have a 20 minuet £20 job take an hour "o can you have a look at this and this is sticking"

and remember a handy man is chosen because they arn't proffesional so cheaper

 

[mattylad]

No I'm in Rossendale.

£20 for 20 minutes? even I won't employ myself then.
I was thinking that for a whole hour tops.

Til I'm more experienced etc.

 

[kevindgas]

No I'm in Rossendale.

£20 for 20 minutes? even I won't employ myself then.
I was thinking that for a whole hour tops.

Til I'm more experienced etc.

less than £35 an hour won't pay you a living wage don't forget all the overheads tax, insurance, CPS registration if you do plumbing, electrical, gas etc, phone bills, stationery, vehicle maintenance, tax, insurance need i say more!

45% of what you earn will get taken from you by this parasiticle government in tax, vat & NI contributions

 

[Thermo]

45% of what you earn will get taken from you by this parasiticle government in tax, vat & NI contributions

You need to get a decent accountant then if you're paying that much!

 

[Whitespirit66]

No I'm in Rossendale.

£20 for 20 minutes? even I won't employ myself then.
I was thinking that for a whole hour tops.

Til I'm more experienced etc.

£20

If you travel everywhere by pushbike, place handwritten ads on lamposts and through people's doors, keep signing on and stay off the tax man's radar, you might, just might make enough to live on.

£20 an hour sounds great, apart from 2 main things - 1) overheads 2) don't forget you don't earn £20 every hour of the day. You'll be travelling to do quotes, getting messed around, have whole days with no work, visits to B&Q in your own time to price materials, time spent travelling to and from jobs, time spent handling phone calls (if you can afford a phone!) - many of which will be time wasters. The list of unpaid hours is endless.

You'll need £30 per hour, bare minimum. Otherwise, work at Asda as a minimum wage slave. You'll be better off and it will be a whole lot less stress.

 

[Johnmelad502]

Hiya folks, since I'm now unemployed it has been suggested that I setup as a local handyman doing those little jobs that many of the locals can't manage. Cheers.

Just go for it. Charge what you think the local community will pay for such a service. Have a minimum fee, your hourly rate @ 3 hours.

You hourly rate will depend on where you live and how many rivals you have.

There will probably be (free of charge) a local training and advice facility where you can do a course on book keeping, putting together a business plan, how to advertise etc. You might even be able to get a startup grant.

 

[Bilioustrumpstaine]

There is plenty of scope for a handyman in this day and age, a lot of single trade specialists will try and put you off as they see you as a threat to their income. A lot of these people couldn't be bothered to do a lot of the little jobs as they were busy on bigger projects. For example a plumber would be unlikely to attend a dripping tap if he has a complete bathroom refit to do.

Go for it, I say. What have you got to lose. Initial set up is quite low £100 for public liability, the rest you can deal with later if/when you start making some money.

Have a minimum charge of say £50 (depending on your market) you could make this cover two hours if you wish but stick to your charge.You can then add on an hourly rate after that.

If you turn up when you say you will that will be a result for a lot of customers.

Politeness and a pleasant demeanour always goes a long way with clients.

Good luck mate

 

[mattylad]

OK cheers for the replies.

Although I may have to postpone things for a while as I have an interview as a school caretaker in a week or so.

 

[big-all]

No I'm in Rossendale.

£20 for 20 minutes? even I won't employ myself then.
I was thinking that for a whole hour tops.

Til I'm more experienced etc.

ok you go in to hang a pelmit for £10 [insted off 20 l o l] you will often get asked to do other little jobs that take you up to nearly an hour now you will be reluctant to do freebies as you cant survive on £10 an hour
when they expect to pay £20 and get some freebies thrown in youll get better word off mouth than charging and lumping on extras up to £18

 

[mattylad]

I see what your saying, we started out with an idea of £15PH, it dropped to £12.50 and has now risen to £20 to cover more.

The area I'm in can't afford high rates like down sarf..

If it happens I'll look further into the costs etc, also see what others round here charge (if I can find anyone else).

I already have one person who wants about a dozen jobs doing, but I cant survive off of her.. lol

 

[Johnmelad502]

Have a minimum charge, mine is 3 hours at my hourly rate. If the job takes 30 minutes I charge for three hours.

1. I make sure that the customer knows this in advance.
2. I tell them that they can add any other little jobs and keep me going for the full three hours if they like. I am really surprised at how few people find me other jobs to do.

 

[jono_h]

I set up as a Handyman last January and love every minute of it. I tried to base my rates on £150 a day, now gone up to £200 a day, and despite what others are saying if I can earn that for 16 days in the month I'm happy.

I started off by picking up the little £10 jobs - if you're the only guy they can get to go out & do it who are they going to call next time? I was asked to take down & refit 6 blinds which I did for £50 (3 visits, 3hrs). Not hugely profitable but did £2500 with the same people over the next 2 months.

People want a reliable tradesman that they can trust - it's easier to have one guy who can do most things then try and get recommendations for seperate trades.