With our involvement in the community and the Hometown Market, Hometown Happenings is always looking for ways to encourage small business. Our friend Any writes articles to help people do just that. Her latest is about starting a handyman business.
Handy Solutions: Tips for Starting a Handyman Business
If you have a knack for quick and easy repair solutions, starting your own handyman business could be a great way to be your own boss and make a good living. However, with any business, you’ll need to ensure that you remain compliant with regulations while putting in the effort to find new clients. Here are a few steps you can take to get your enterprise off the ground.
The Basics
An important first step for founding a business is to select a structure that meets your needs. Avoid hefty lawyer fees by making use of a formation service. This is the easiest way to answer the question of how to start an LLC in Indiana. This structure will offer you a myriad of advantages, including limited personal liability, tax benefits, and flexibility for growth.
Next, you’ll need to ensure that you are fully licensed and certified to operate in your area. In most states, you’ll have to secure a business license and possibly a handyman license too. Check with your local city or county offices to find out more about the relevant requirements. Don’t be afraid to consult with professional lawyers or accountants on an ad-hoc basis to maintain your compliance status.
Lastly, it’s of the utmost importance that you insure your assets. This is essential for any business but especially important for a handyman as you’ll need to have liability coverage to protect yourself in case something goes wrong while you’re working. Handyman tools can also be expensive to replace if they are accidentally damaged or stolen, and insurance will help you replace these as soon as possible without losing potential work.
Pinpoint a Skillset
Being clear about the types of services you are able to offer will help you attract the right clients and market your business more efficiently. It could be beneficial to provide basic plumbing and electrical work as a starting point as these services are always high in demand. Creating a business card or flyer with a list of your skills will increase your chances that your number is the first one people call when they need work done around the house.
Once you’ve zeroed in on your specialties, you’ll want to get the word out in the area you’ll be operating in. Social media is a great way to gain traction and make people aware of your services, so many business owners post time-lapses of their jobs. Determine whether this works for you by trying out this free online Instagram story template that allows you to customize your posts.
Stay Organized
Handyman work can be very chaotic, so it’s important to keep all your ducks in a row. There are a few useful software programs and apps that can help you with this, including some that will help you find new clients.
Since most prospective customers will be curious about costs before contracting you for work, software can be used for construction estimating and can streamline your quotation process. These programs are designed to effortlessly add in material and labor costs, include payment schedules for customers, account for taxes when providing an estimate, and create customized templates with your business’ branding.
Because you’ll be your own source of income, it’s vital to make sure that all your business practices are optimized and above board from the get-go. With the right tools at your disposal, you’ll be able to grow your client base and perhaps take on a few employees of your own.
Hometown Happenings was created to empower people of all ages in the community to remain engaged and live happily and healthily. We partner with like-minded local businesses and organizations to run a number of fitness-based events. Find one near you at: www.yourhometownevents.com.
Amy Collett is creator of BizWell.org, a website that helps professionals and entrepreneurs build and strengthen their personal brand.
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