I Ain't Got No Work | Help Me Handyman | THE HANDYMAN BUSINESS | 

Tell me about it, i have to hide the sign on my truck and actually ask people to plz not recommend me bc i got 1 guy that's good for all of it.

@@Mr.Pop0 just keep raising your price

Some of the finest craftsman never advertise, a lot actively turn down work all the time

@@jonnyg9330 This is very true 👍🏾

@@jeffshackleford3152 This. I believe it was Essential Craftsman that said if you’re not missing half your bids due to price, you’re too low.

All of these things are in your direct control as a contractor (or business owner). I speak as a business owner, not necessarily a contractor. Number 5, from a customer's point of view may be the most important!

These winning characteristics transcend to almost any type of business. Who knew! ;-)

@@charlesbryan7137. All of these hit the nail on the head, especially #5. Nobody returns calls anymore. I get it they may be busy but c'mon. I am trying to hire locally and help out local businesses but nobody returns calls after repeat attempts. Guess I gotta do the work myself.

@@charlesbryan7137 You're absolutely right. When people reach out to you it's because they're ready to spend money. The second you waste their time you've lost them.

Be honest.

lol

Legend

Funny but true statement. I start the day with coffee and ibuprofin...

Glad to know I’m not the only one that needs Advil to keep going! Great story!

@@dirtbiker651 two damned muscle relaxants w the morning coffee, keeper going..

Tell me about it

Haha yeah xD

Do you tell them you are charging more for your mistakes?

I’d rather over but a bit then to underbid and say “Oh, I messed up it’s going to be x amount more” If I mess up I eat that cost. That’s the hard part of doing business.

@@carcasscruncher9354 not sure if you're misunderstanding or if I'm misunderstanding you. I always include some "oops" money in my bids, on top of my labor and profit. The bigger the job, the more I include. It will cover my mistakes, and sometimes I will use it to cover client changes. I don't give the "oops" money back. If you get to the end of the job on time, without any change orders, and communicate well, your customer will have a good experience and they will not expect money back. Your professionalism and actually doing what you say when you say you will do it, is part of the value you bring to the table, and having left over "oops" money is your reward for bidding and executing the job well.

@@carcasscruncher9354 charging more is terrible for your reputation so I don't do it. Estimate enough to cover the possibilities. I miss about half my Estimates and thats fine with me and I don't bid some jobs becauseI don't want them or the customers flakey or I'm too busy. That said I don't do many remodels. I paint a lot of houses inside and out, replace a lot of rotten siding and decking, lots of drywall work and flooring. I also charge less than the estimate about 25% of the time depending on the frustration level and how kind the customer was to me etc. In the end professionalism and results carries the day and money is way down on that list. If you want some good reviews ask for $200 less than the estimate and see how your reputation grows.

@@marcmacialek9250 ... that's called a contingency, and is usually a small percentage added to a job to cover the unknown variations. It might be an increase in material costs or a rain delay, but you need to cover your ass. This is different than an "open to inspection" issue you may have built into a contract, such as installing a new drain line in the yard and finding ledge, or removing the siding only to find the sill plate is rotten. Those issues are part of the big experience and need to be spelled out in advance so you can be professional in your finished presentation.

Hey man how’s it going 8 months later?

@@braydenblomquist7624 still going strong. 12 clients in the hopper. Tub caulking, fence repairs, dryer vent repairs, garage organization, dryer repair, dishwasher install, window crank repair, assemble outdoor umbrella….etc etc.

Phineus ... by the time you figure the difference for insurance they will certainly put more money in their pockets at the end of the year!

In corporate world though, too much dishonesty and bad lazy manangenent wears good workers out too. Like if you bust your butt time and time again and yet you see better connected brown nosers get all the attention and rewards while you actually do all the heavy lifting without any raises or promotions you stop caring too or leave to try find better opportunities elsewhere if you can find them (unfortunately lots of lazy owners out there too trying to reap rewards on other peoples backs too often than not). Then boss is sad you are leaving, but whole time you were there making life easier on them, they couldn't be bothered to appreciate you to keep you so lots of places with mediocre wore out workers just doing bare min to get paid and get by (this is at lots of places). And I don't blame all of them for that. We are all to blame for being cruddy humans here and there to each other.

Long story short, my very second customer was also happy about the good job done. That just a few days later, I was getting phone calls from multiple people after he referred my name around to his social circles! It all starts with making great impressions and to continue making great impressions on others.

How true. Being licensed in 3 trades and a professional shower door installer sure did help in that recession Handy mentioned. The big jobs were few and far between but I could do a water heater today, a toilet tomorrow, reglaze a bathtub, remove / re-install a shower door and do some caulking. It kept the bills paid.

@@billysyms5761 I know what you mean. I was a cabinet installer when the recession hit and I did odds and ends job. I even did chinking on a cabin. I don’t know if you’ve ever done that but it’s a lot of work! If you’re willing to labor you will never starve to death!

@@TheExcellentLaborer Think one of the first videos I watched from the Handyman - "Don't learn how to code, Learn how to Handy"!

facts

If you've told them to stop calling you, legally they must stop. If they continue, file a formal complaint with the FCC on the FCC's website. That will stop it, because they will be subject to significant fines per subsequent call. (I haven't had to deal with Home Advisors, but I've used this against other companies that do similar practices.)

I'm 19 do this full time lol

started at 18

Homeowner here, too. Tyson is right. If you can present yourself professionally AND do the job, we're happy to give you what you ask.

need a new sales guy.

The years of experience definitely help but I don’t see why If you are dedicated you can’t pick a trade like decks or bath remodel or w.e and run with it and succeed. If your goal is to be just a handyman I recommend start watching tons of videos to learn all you can

sir don't get discouraged, I'm 36 and I just got into the business. Guess what? It's been a little over 2 months and the calls don't stop coming. I've already done floors, sub floors and replacing 2 x 6 joists that were hanging on by a thread from dry rot. I've done landscape lighting, painting, replacing electrical fixtures, bathroom mirror replacements, etc. I'm getting quite a reputation and all my work is legitimate. No skipping corners or delivering shoddy work. Everyone is happy and they keep referring me. The best part is I have done zero marketing. It has all been word of mouth and I can't keep up with the calls. All you have to do is submerse yourself in DIY RU-vid videos. But watch as many as you can on 1 subject. Then take the best of what everyone has to offer. Make that your goal to deliver professional contractor grade work. If you have a friend in the field of any kind volunteer to ride along and help out so you can learn. I flew up to help my buddy who's been tiling for 30+ years. I imported his work ethic, culture and learned a lot. Good luck but it's never too late unless your dead. BTW the best part is being your own boss and working your schedule. I work everyday 12 - 15 hours and I love it because I am making in 1 week what I used to make in a month. Got a new van and I'm about to retrofit it so I can carry my shop with me. It's been a scary and fun adventure all at the same time. More than anything because of learning the business side of it. Learning how to bid and how long jobs will take. My buddy helped me a lot with that. Now I've gotten pretty good at it.

dude, I'm in my 50's. guys in their 30's are still a young age! Peace! :)

@@LazyCrazyGuy Not to mention tax write offs. That is key to losing a let less money when you own your own business.

💯💯💯same boat.

@@KINGKUSHORLANDO hope it’s all going well!