Working as a handyman can be a profitable venture that gives you a lot of freedom. Not only do you get to set your hours, but you can also pick the services you want to deliver and choose or refuse jobs at your discretion.
But one of the few caveats of working as a handyman is that no one tells you how to find handyman work. This guide can show you how to get handyman jobs as you start. Note you can continually apply these strategies even after you’ve established yourself as a reliable handyman–so read on to know how to get more handyman jobs!
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An easy way to get more work and ensure you have a steady flow of handyman gigs is to pick the jobs that most people won’t do. Take a few minutes to list the kinds of tasks you know that most homeowners hate to do and decide if you’re willing to take them on.
A simple strategy would be to choose 5 of these most profitable handyman jobs you think you can take on. Here are jobs that most people would prefer to let a handyman handle:
Note that to do the more complex tasks, you would need to get licensed as a tradesman to do meticulous plumbing, electrical, or heavy construction work.
If you feel the need to gain more experience, you could also get an apprenticeship to practise your existing skills and fill any knowledge gaps.
On average, a handyman in Australia can charge about $50 per hour to do most handyman jobs. But note that this rate may change depending on factors like your location, the distance you must travel, and the complexity of the task. Other factors such as whether you’re certified to do the task to not can also affect your hourly rate.
A good strategy to employ so you make more money and get more work is to specialise in certain handyman projects. Here are some benefits of specialising in your services:
Choosing the right clients is not only one of the perks of working as an independent handyman, it’s a sound business strategy.
Try to avoid clients that focus on finding the lowest-priced handyman instead of focusing on getting quality service. Clients that insist on haggling will undermine your efforts to make your business more profitable.
What’s more, word could get around that your rates are negotiable and you’ll only attract more clients who won’t pay you what you’re worth.
Remember that you can always find clients that won’t mind paying your rate as long as you deliver your services at the level of quality they expect.
A good way to ensure that your handyman business remains or becomes more profitable is to price your services appropriately. Here’s what you can do as you figure out a profitable price point for your services:
You can promote your business on days when you don’t have any work scheduled. The classic strategies for promoting your business can include:
*Based on the median top 50 Tasker's monthly earnings
Thanks to the internet, you can promote your business to a wider, more specific audience. To promote your handyman business online, you can:
Yes! Handyman businesses can be profitable, but it takes time and effort to make it so. Like any business, you’ll have to make the effort to establish yourself as a reliable handyman and do what’s necessary to minimise operating costs. It may be hardgoing at first to price your services so you make a decent profit and give your clients the quality service they expect, but it’s not impossible.
The easiest way for handymen and most other businesses to get leads is by using Google My Business. All you need to do is create your business profile on the platform with all the relevant information like your contact details, operating hours, and a list of services. Potential clients can message you directly, so be sure to check on your messages once your profile is up. The best part about using this is that it’s free!
As an independent handyman who wants to increase profits, you’ll have to actively promote your services, apart from doing a good job to get repeat business or even getting upskilled as a licensed electrician, plumber, or carpenter.
Another simple trick you can use is to sign up with Airtasker. You can get matched quickly with homeowners, landlords, or even contractors seeking an extra hand to bolster their workforce, at minimal cost or effort to you. Become a Tasker today!
*Based on the median top 50 Taskers’ monthly earnings
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