I was hoping to talk to the lady whose husband had started his own handyman business. I had some questions to ask her about starting this sort of enterprise.

TIA, Rita

-- Rita Dickens (akmacman@mac.com), March 15, 2002

Answers

I was doing that when I lived near a large city. When I mmoved here,, there isnt much call for it. Was ALOT of work, and noone wanted to pay what the job was worth,, I spent alot of time chasing down bad checks.

-- Stan (sopal@net-pert.com), March 15, 2002.

Hello Rita,

That is what I am doing....handyman work. It is true what Stan (Hi Stan) said, about getting paid what the job is worth. Though I have not had problems with bad checks. I do sometimes have to barter to get the work around here. This week I finished up a septic line that I was replacing in exchange for six bales of hay, a roll of chicken wire, two rolls of barbed wire, three roosters and some cash. I don't mind bartering as I usually make out pretty good on the deal. But, cash is in short supply and I will take whatever I can get.

Around here $10.00 per hour is reasonable. Some of the handymen will charge mileage if the work is far from their home. I don't yet. But, I am turning down work that is more than an hour's drive from my home.

My typical customer is either a widowed woman or a disabled gentleman that are unable to do the type of work that they need me for. I have done roof repairing, insulating, yardwork, tree cutting and removal, landscaping, carpentry, furniture moving and fence repair. Most of them are very appreciative and have told me that they have a hard time finding someone to help them do these things.

I advertise on all the bulletin boards in town, plus I run occasional ads in the local paper and free shopper guide. Referrals are best, so I put my best behavior on when I meet with my customers so that they will tell their friends.

I also guarantee that if they are not happy with what I have done for them, that I will come back out and fix the problem for free. So far, I have not had anyone complain.

If a person can do his own household repairs, yardwork and such around his own home, he can be a handyman. When a client ask me what I can do and can not do, I honestly tell them. That way they know if I am the handyman that they are looking for.

One lady was willing to pay me to dig a sixty foot trench by hand and to drop in some water pipe and hook it up to her trailor. I told her that I would dig it for her but, because the ground is so rocky here in the Ozarks that it would probably cost her more for me to dig, than if she hired a backhoe. This is the honesty that many country folks should expect. I saved her money and I am sure she will tell her friends.

Don't be expecting to make a lot of money doing this, especially in the back country. But, with patience, honesty, perserverance and the right skills, anyone can make at least a part- time income from being a handyman.

Sincerely,

ERnest

-- http://communities.msn.com/livingoffthelandintheozarks (espresso42@hotmail.com), March 15, 2002.

The other problem you might run into is a reluctance to hire you if you are not licensed and insured/bonded. Unfortunately, this has become a litigious society, and a lot of people are leery of having anyone on their property for this reason, even if they don't own much.

Your best advertising will be through word of mouth. Good luck.

-- GT (nospam@nospam.com), March 15, 2002.

Rita, my husband owns and operates Handyman Services, lets just say his hired help makes more than 10$ an hour, not sure John would drive down the driveway for that wage ;) Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh TX (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), March 15, 2002.

A friend of mine is making hundreds a day (cash only folks) doing the following: putting up curtain rods, shades, shelves, simple painting, replacing light switches, changing chandilier light bulbs (I swear), cleaning garages, rewiring lamps - you name it, the more ridiculous the more he charges. Some people have NO skills, no time and oodles of money.

-- Kathy (catfish201@hotmail.com), March 15, 2002.

The others give good advice, but I don't believe anyone can tell another what they should expect to get in the way of compensation. That all depends on the average income of the area you live in and how many others are providing your service. You must be competitive. Can't charge $20/hour when 10 others are charging $15/hour - UNLESS you have superior references, product, skills, etc.

-- Marge (mboyc73@yahoo.com), March 16, 2002.

Go to your county office and ask them to put you on their Council on Aging list. There are many older people who are in constant need of a handyman.

From the pines

-- ron bulinda (rvbulinda@yahoo.com), March 16, 2002.

My husband is the one who started a handyman business in June 2000. I e-mailed Rita direct.

Roy has lots of widowed ladies who call him for all sorts of things because they were used to their husbands doing stuff.

In the past nearly two years he has had only one bad check and the lady called before we knew about it and she made it good.

suzy

-- Suzy in Bama (slgt@yahoo.com), March 17, 2002.

my husband is a carpenter, but sometimes a handyman for some people. he has never been written a bad check, and never had a problem with getting paid from folks. they use him over and over and refer him to others because he is honest and dependable and works quickly. his work is valued and he gets paid well. in fact, he actually raised his prices for those who can afford it (sort of a sliding fee) because his customers were telling him he was too cheap for his speed and competence (and he carries insurance!). strange, huh? we have never really been any more than two weeks TOTAL without work for him in two and a half years.

-- marcee (thathope@mwt.net), March 19, 2002.