A Customer Is Trying To Destroy My Business | THE HANDYMAN BUSINESS | 

Hey its gabe the guy who submitted the question through email! Just wanted to say thank you so much for responding! This is just a minor bump in the road my goal. There are no such things as failures, only lessons. On to the next client. Thanks for the inspiration.

I'm putting clues together: 1.Another business that remains secret. 2. $2500 for a half hour to an hour of work. 3. Live stream from midnight to 8am that the ladies want to see. Handyman has a side hustle as a gigolo.

As a contractor myself I can definitely say everything you’re saying is absolutely true. 👍👍

im a 25yr old Handyman and ive been watching your videos for years and my business is good thanks guy keep up the great content

You get serious about money when you have kids.... It's that simple.... keeps me motivated and working hard for them (and my wife, of course). You are spot on, handyman. Some people shrink from that reality, but it's the truth.... Once I became a father, I was hyper focused on making and saving money (not for luxuries/toys, but for unexpected future expenses).... My dad drilled it into me early on.... No one will give you a handout!

Handy, the hero we need, not the hero we deserve. We need a live stream for the people

We call it the “sniff out process”. We try to pre qualify and really have our senses out when bidding Jobs’s. That being said those certain customers sometimes sneak through. Communication and setting expectations is absolutely key.

This is good advice for any business. Not just handyman.

Good talk, handyman! The start is rough, specially when you start in a recession. I remember those times, working next to nothing. Eventually you make a name for yourself, and clients are more worried about being blacklisted than you are of getting bad reviews. Your talk about money is always on point. I come from a deficient mindset, a hero complex of sorts, that I'm always trying to help out others, and then shortening my family. Talks like this always helps to balance me out.

I always make it a point to tell the custom a joke that if they don't pay me I'll pull their electrical meter from their house/business 😂. Have yet to have someone not pay on time.

Solid info and advice. It's tough to go low with a price in the beginning and maintain the customers because they usually want low forever after. The type seems to be very picky too. The part about being very specific, contracts, and change orders is absolutely crucial. One thing I've found helps is be very observant of what people are telling you, specifically trying to get them to tell you what they value. If what they value is cheap, it will likely always be cheap. If it's clean, if it's high end, if it's maximum safety, if it's environmentally friendly. Asking directly doesn't help, most will say best product best price, it needs to be observed through their actions, suggestions and stories. You can engender yourself if you give them something they value and it doesn't cost them and the repeats that just say "do it and give me a bill" are Handyman gold. I don't know how you run a Handyman business with kids. I have one employee and I'm spending a ton of time getting from start to finish with jobs.

I totally agree with your comments. It applies to all types of businesses. I am in the IT business. I don't advertise and I seem to get regular gigs on a regular basis. I am expensive, but I am get the job done way beyond expectations. Exceeding customer expectations in all endeavours will develop a lot of repeat business.

After sales service is one of those hats that almost no one does but can generate continued business. Example, installing a water heater, there are services like checking and replacing the anode rod after a year. After the install, or even during the sales phase, discuss that with the customer and get that on the books. Schedule it as an annual checkup. You won't get rich replacing anode rods, but it establishes that relationship and the customer will appreciate the ease of having you managing their home maintenance, not just a few profitable projects.

I've been following this channel off and on for many years now. Holy shit, this is one of your best videos. Informative, entertaining, educational, and you've shown how humble you can be. Excellent work, man.

I can remember many times when I lost money because I didn't have the right salesman mind frame.

Invaluable advice, thank you Sir! I’m gonna watch this a couple times to take it all in! You are great at what you do! You never offend and often enlighten me about being a smart, hardworking man 🤙🏽

The part where you mention that you underbid a job and realized it halfway through, but having to change your perspective from "this isn't worth it" to "what can i learn from this job" is crucial. Using the experience as a practice of keeping your word and powering through it but also with a good attitude where you can build customer relations. I was just fixing some soffit and fascia for a couple the other day. Easy work. Until I started peeling back the bad spots. To really fix the issues I had to replace a lot of banding and framing that had rotten away behind the fascia. Which the framing was terrible and backing wasn't put it. Most of the soffits were "floating" in a groove ripped on the fascia. Between that and finding multiple yellow jacket nests as I ripped soffit off in 110 degree heat indexes I was beginning to get frustrated. I had to go to lunch and figure how to cope with a one day job turning into three days. I decided to do just what you said and change my attitude. Look at it as a learning experience and an opportunity to build rapport. So I went back and did just that. By the end of the day I was actually having fun fixing the mess! Homeowners came out to see progress and they asked what all I was finding and they praised me for doing a proper job and not making a fuss over it. It ended up landing me a GOOD job with them building a large deck and pavilion on the side of their house. Now their neighbors are coming over to check out the project and asking me to come look at their homes. All that to say, I could have chosen a bad attitude and quit the job or displayed my frustration with the customer but that would have only hurt me. By changing my perspective it has given back to me 10 fold within weeks. Just a little story I wanted to share. So I think you're spot on with that.

When I am the customer, I have a few guys who do maintenance and repairs on our house. A couple of carpenters, a siding and roof guy, a painter, an electrician. We discuss the scope. He ballparks the number. We both agree that there can be hidden wood rot or other damage. I trust these four guys so much that I tell them to charge me after the job is done whatever they need to. Never had a problem. Materials and workmanship are always very good. Callbacks are almost non-existent.

This was fabulous!! Love the transparency and willingness to provide valuable information and insight to others for their success as well. Thank you and may God bless you, bless you indeed!

Thanx for the great video I’m just starting my handyman business and the info is greatly appreciated and I’m sure that it will be needed someday as there are always people trying to get the most out you and their dollars..

We live in strange times Handyman. Most people understand the value of money from either not having it and/or working very hard to make a lot of it. But we have a growing population of young adults who grew up in those Middle class families where their parents work all the time and buy them whatever they want and send them to college and while they may work hard at volunteer work or school, they have never had to have their time make money to support them. A lot of these young people can't even cook without a microwave and were never taught basic life skills because someone else always took care of it. And they were taught to hate rich people because they have money (because obviously they stole it) rather than to emulate people that have lifestyles they would like to have. I feel bad for them but time is the only way they will learn the truth of life, they have to experience it first.

That's solid advice for anybody, Handyman. Thank you for that! Also, yes to the livestream....as a longtime lurker, I enjoy them. 😁

I learn from you often. I am in my first year in my tree service. Love the real talk!

Great video and incredibly helpful. i’m just working part time doing things that are in line with my skill set. One thing I’ve learned this summer. Under bidding jobs only leads to frustration and a desire to quit doing what I’m doing. I’ve stopped doing that and I’m now providing estimates in line with what I really think my time is worth. Now when I go to a job, I have a far better attitude and a greater desire to service the customer in a way that they appreciate and I can walk away feeling good about. Thanks again!

Convenience & reliability. There's always people willing to pay $4.00 for a roll of TP, etc at a convenience store

just started checking out your videos. I have to say, pretty cool. Not all videos can keep my attention for 14 mins. Yours did. I liked all of it, views on life, money, people and helping others. Oh and handyman talk. Good job and keep them coming. All the best to you. I don't hear greed, I hear a guy that knows the value of lots of things and works smart , this day and age you have to. Thanks again

About the rental car, here’s a tip from all my travels: video. When you get the car, take your phone out, record a video doing a 360 around the car. Do it twice if you need to, especially if it’s a bigger car. If there is anything questionable, point it out to the agent while still recording. When you return it, do the same thing. Make sure all the car is covered in a one shot video. Also, if your vehicle remotely smells like smoke or anything else odd,make sure you have the agent note it and get it in the recording. If it smells strongly of smoke, or are afraid about something getting put on you, refuse the car and ask for another. They might claim they don’t have others and you can say that’s fine I’ll go check XYZ company instead since they always let me pick the vehicle. They might work with you after that but stand your ground. I got falsely accused once and was able to argue my way out of it but afterwards I will never take a rental without doing a video first. Even if you had no issues when you returned, you can get a letter in the mail weeks later asking you for your insurance information and to describe the details of the accident. It happened to me. I’m guessing that’s what happened to Handy too.

Hey man, great video. I watched it a few times. I had to come back a again to comment. It was great to hear you say that you got rid of your social media ,google and websites so that you can’t get bad reviews and you get your work through word of mouth. It was refreshing as everyone is telling me I need all these things but I don’t have anything online for my business or personal life. I’m typically booked out 3 to 5 months and have been in business 4 years this month. I’m a renovation contractor and follow the same principles as you, excellent communication, quality work and then I clean up and leave(simple). I’ve got really good tips from your channels over the years. If you’re ever in Vancouver BC I’ll buy you a pint!

Great video! The handyman advice was spot on and so we’re the life lessons at the end. Thank you

I have had my share of bad customers in beginning. Now many years later I can pick a bad customer from a good one.

PERFECT timing !!! Thank you Love Everything you so here

there is a huge difference between valuing money versus loving money. your story demonstrated it well. you are right mate.

Handyman, you’re the shit. Keep it up buck. Glad you’re around. Greetings from Raleigh 🤘

This is a great video and I want to send a BIG THANK YOU for what you’ve inspired me to do Handyman! Appreciate you

That very nice of you to help people that need it. hope to catch some of the live show.

Thanks for breaking things down. I appreciate your videos. 👍👍

Been watching your videos and following all three channels for years. I love all of your content but this is one of your best videos I've seen. Its great to see you be a little more raw. Felt like an old live stream, and yes, I would love to have another old school live stream! Hope to hang out on a live stream soon!

As a father of two I can't agree with you any more. Money is a very difficult conversation to have in your head when you have kids. You are always worried about having enough because you are their provider and protector, yet people that become familiar with you say things like, "You are always obsessed with money, chill out." Then I say, "These are my kids, not yours; are u going to provide for them?" I also highly recommend a term life policy that will cover them until they are at least out of college, just in case something happens to you. I did that for my kids.

Truth!!​Try asking that attorney, or doctor for a discount on the bill!! See how far that gets you!

Its definitely ok to say NO to some jobs. A realtor referred a customer to me that wanted to add a half bath to his home so he could sell the house quickly during the pandemic… which he had already been doing ‘some renovations’ of his own. The person wanted me to tie in a toilet in off of the laundry room. The main 4-6” drain from the house was 20’ away. He wanted me to tie in to the 2” drain from the original galvanized drain (40 years old) and install a macerator under the toilet so that the 2” drain would “work”. Again, this was so he could sell the house. I told him to bust the foundation and do it properly using a licensed plumber. Never heard from him again.

Man... everything you've said I've had to learn the hard way.. Seems like I'm still fine tuning my contract because they find all the loopholes. Unreal sometimes really

As always great video sir! Wish i had more time to watch!

We call the eponymous "junior mints" as we see them. In a market where 2 out of 10 new "enterprises" last the first year, and half flop by the second, some are doomed much faster. Giant trucks, useless for work, their mom paid for, while housing these veals, then they write estimates all over town, and give the customers all of the transfers, and have to beg for copies......Yet some of us triumph in the same arena.......

Good advice. This video couldn’t have come at a better time. Thank you for sharing your experience.

Thanks HM, great advice for those young folks. Money isn't everything, but it sure can help with those difficult situations (and I've seen a few). I suspect that the nay sayers are simply people who are jealous over your hard earned success, instead of taking your lessons to heart and making positive changes in their own lives. Grumbling seems easier for these folks.

Those are excellent points you make! Thank you!

Great video! You hit on a lot of key points. I say this is an important video for everyone regardless of their interest. I live well below my means. When emergencies happen I can take care of it

All great advice!!!

Thanks for the videos handyman!

Can’t just drop $2,500 service for 30 min of work and not say what it is.

I wish I had seen your videos when I was in my 20's...30's.....40's! Your experience and learned knowledge are so helpful and I hope can be appreciated by those who don't know or even have a clue about the trade business. Thank you for giving back sir. May the Gods bless you and yours. P.S. and your damn funny!! Love the squeaky voice

Another thing to keep in mind, when you initially go to a customers home for the first time to see what they want done is to not try to build too much of a friendship with them. obviously you want to be friendly, respectful and professional but do not become their friend while you are there, i made that mistake and was taken advantage of. be straight forward and to the point, if the job goes through and you finish it and they pay you, then consider loosening the businessman reins.

One of the BEST vids yet!

Second!!! Love the squeaky voice!! 😆 As always, Great advice Handydude. Was it Paige asking for a livestream? 😆😆

Spot on, handyman!

You cleaned up. Good job. Matching the high end clients.

@the handyman business 8:07 I absolutely love the squeaky voice as know rant, or alike is coming & it’s just funny to me; the comic relief if you will in your vids that ppl need. Nothing wrong laughing during bad day, or being frustrated over “something”, sometimes you just need to step back, squeak as loud as can, then get back to work and in the rear view 😉 Like I say, you spoil us Handyman; cuz most of the “Handymen” don’t have the experience and knowledge you bring into a project……heck, legally in Florida, handymen can’t even hang a ceiling fan, or do any sparky rough in/rip out (but as ya know living in FL, we special down here in this state 😁). Really great advice you gave, always enjoy listening to ya, as still pick up nuggets here and there……especially on this channel b/c unless friends or know ppl in the business (any business) ppl not gonna talk shop and money w/ anyone, so this channel very unique Cheers✌🏻

Man... a very grounded and balanced advise.

You're the best❤. I'm in my second year as a handyman. You get a lot of credit tyvm!

Very insightful and good points

12:29 again, thx for this. Really puts things into perspective; and have experience w/ disabled fam, and it’s not easy….. Do miss good ole live stream, always a hoot

Great little video. I enjoyed the talk!

I like the way it is delivered to your viewers, greetings from Indonesia 🎉❤

Yeah, set expectations exactly. Tough lesson to learn. I know I’ve learned that one the hard way.

Thanks for sharing

God bless you and your family handyman. The man who sleeps with a machete is a fool every night but one. Also the livestreams sound fun ❤

Agree with all of this 100%. Thanks for everything Handy

Big respect

Once I found great contractor that gave me a higher value than I expected for the money I spent, I never asked another contractor for a bid. True craftsmanship shows through after you watch one at work. The biggest problem was waiting for him to finish his current contracts so he could work on mine. I seriously thought his hourly rate was too low.

I recently just turned away a customer. Because I knew she’d be a headache. For the past years I have the process where if a customer accepts a bid. they sign a contract, sign a work order(with all the work listed) and I require a scheduling deposit. Nothing to crazy 10% of total to be put on the schedule. With all new customers, while I’m there looking at the work I explain my whole process before I even give her a quote contract work order deposit. She was all fine with it. When she was ready to book the job I sent her over all the paper work and she called me freaking out about how unprofessional it is to have a deposit and that she had never paid a contractor a deposit. And that I will not be working in her house unless I get rid of the deposit. I told her have a nice day and good luck with the project. I had 4 other customers waiting for dates to be scheduled and money in hand. First time I’ve come across someone that has had an issue with a deposit. But most if not all my customers are word of mouth. She found my number online.

Great advice about paying your dues and walking away from bad customers

Great video. Yes! We’re due for a livestream!

Great video boss!

Looks like an 80s freestyle bmx with the laid-back seat post hanging on the wall

You saved my attitude today. Thanks. All the best RU-vid Handymen have something to offer, and it's realism here,

Good stuff…real talk

Very valuable video and message

I like your videos because you are brutally honest.

Hay handyman! You're our motivational speaker! 😊 I enjoy your videos. Thank you

Great talk Handy, you greedy greedy handyman 😂. Like you I live below my means to save as mush as possible. One of the things a rich guy taught me is that having money gives you options. When you are in trouble, having options are key. HandyOn brother. Lastly, our small group of men at church do a myriad of projects to help anyone in need. Proud of you for helping out the man you spoke about.

Great video !!!!!!

Thanks for the video =)

I've told my sons, family and customers for years, what always fixes problems is your checkbook!

Thanks Brother!!!

Great video

“A jack of all trades is a master of none, but often times better than a master of one.”

Dude is firing "hollow point, tracer caulk". Listen up, boys!

Hey Handyman! Always love your stuff. You are dead on with the Money thing. Sad to hear people get offended by you. I guess sound logic doesnt sit well with them. I'd love to hear about your other businesses. You are an inspiration. Thank you!

Soooo true!

Love the shirt

Ahhh the live streams. I miss the pirate mug with a couple of pew pews in the background 😂 Keep up the great work Handyman 👍

I'm an appliance repair company owner. Your principles apply in my field as well. I enjoy your content and perspective.

My wife is a painting company estimator. Some customers are very difficult. Some are mentally unstable. Seems like it has gotten worse since the pandemic.

Handyman, the people need a livestream. we are so lost, please be the Sheppard

I'd be down for a live stream Handyman. They are fun and educational 😊

I agree handyman kids make you take making money serious, my youngest is just starting college and I can’t believe how much it’s went up since I went 27 years ago!

That story about the rental car was good broadcasting. I rent usually from Enterprise and I have never signed on for their insurance. I’m going to do my homework on that. Good luck to you. You give sound advice.

Hi there am jp from scotland i have been a handyman for 15 years i have had problems with three people like that i vowed no1 would low ball me again the last one that tried it said they wherent paying me after 3 days work so i undone all the work as they had paid for the martials anyway and i told everyone in the handyman game and electrician plumbers brickies paint decorators joiners everyone i could find within 50 mile that they where trouble after a year this one person tried to get me back i told them bluntly gtf after nearly wrecking my lively hood

You make some dam good points here .. Raise your prices ! Weed out the crappy people. Learn to say no ! Trust your instincts! Build that primo customer base.

"Grinders". They keep you on your toes, let you appreciate the non- psychiatric customers. 4 decades self- employed. The risk of management is a privilege of capital. Work to develop a thick skin and a radar- like sense for this- 17 unfinished projects in their house, financially mixed marriages, pets running for their lives...........