The home improvement business is booming, especially now, when people are confined to their homes more than ever. While other industries are suffering from the current economic climate, big box hardware stores and home centers are busier every day. If you’re handy around the house and have the skills needed to help people fix up and improve their homes, then you have a good chance of making a solid income from being a handyman.
Handyman opportunities are right at your doorstep!
Handyman Services In High Demand
While it’s good to have well-rounded knowledge about all aspects of home improvement, there are a few things that the average homeowner seems to need most. These are the top-priority services that you should offer as a handyman:
Painting
This is an easy one. While acquiring the know-how to do exterior and interior painting jobs isn’t hard, most homeowners have neither the time nor the desire to paint their homes themselves. Painting is an easy-entry task for any handyman, and it pays well.
Gutter Cleaning
Like painting, cleaning a gutter isn’t too complicated, but most people don’t want to do it themselves. It can also be a little more dangerous, since it requires climbing up a ladder and the occasional roof. When it comes to these higher-risk tasks, you might want to consider business insurance.
Tile Installation
Laying tile is a specialized skill that requires patience and precision. If you know how to do this well, then you can command a good price for things like bathroom tile, kitchen tile, and tile flooring installation jobs.
Flooring
This is a tough task that few homeowners are willing to DIY. It requires some know-how and special equipment, but new flooring is a common need. Knowing how to install laminate, hardwood, and carpet is a good start.
Drywall Repair
Get this one down and you’re about to be every landlord’s best friend. Drywall repair is tricky and can include anything from patching a hole to installing, taping, and sanding an entire piece. It’s also a must-have skill for any handyman worth his belt.
The more tasks you’re capable of doing well, the more work you’ll get. You can start as simply as knowing how to sand a banister and go all the way to being able to tackle a major renovation. While it’s good to have a wide variety of skills to ply as part of your trade, don’t get sucked into the pitfalls of being a jack of all trades, master of none. It’s actually a good idea to specialize! This means becoming an expert in one skill above all others, and it’s a great way to build a reputation as THE handyman to call when a homeowner is in need of your specialized skills.
How to Find Handyman Jobs Near You
Sign Up For Business Listing Platforms
TrustedPros, HomeStars, HomeAdvisor, and Houzz are just a few sites that are focused on home improvement. At the very least, you should list your business or sole proprietorship on Google Business. It might sound intimidating, but it’s really very simple, and Google is the first place people search when they need something.
Use Social Media
You can use social media platforms to find handyman jobs in several ways. First of all, having your contact information listed clearly allows homeowners to get in touch with you. You can also share photos of your work as a sort of portfolio for potential customers, and join groups where people are actively looking for help with their home improvement projects.
Advertise Online For Free
Did you know that there are tons of places you can advertise your services online for free? Kijiji, Craigslist, and Facebook Marketplace are all well-trafficked, and essential for getting your handyman business in front of other people. However, there are also free classifieds in your local paper, and on local news websites as well.
Post Flyers In Your Neighborhood
Believe it or not, this is a tried-and-true method that still works. You can go the poster route, or print out one-page adverts and drop them in every mailbox in town. This can pay dividends down the road, because even people who aren’t looking for a handyman now might save the paper for future jobs. If you’re just starting out, this can be an especially effective way to book your first few gigs.
Word Of Mouth
Eventually, you’ll probably build up enough of a reputation that people will be calling you out of the blue to fix their homes. You might even have to turn away work. Initially, however, rely on your trusted friends, colleagues, and other people in your social network to help you spread the word. Let them know you’re offering your services as a handyman, and ask them to recommend you if it ever comes up. Most people are all too eager to help out a friend, especially if they’re offering a valuable service.
Using a few or all of the tactics above will get the ball rolling for your handyman business. Get started and start seeing the work roll in by searching for handyman jobs online today.
