I'm Done With Manual Labor | My Plan To Get Out | THE HANDYMAN BUSINESS | 

Check the links in the description about employee salary's. A lot report the median salary. That means that 50% make less than that number and 50% make more than that number. See the old livestreams here www.patreon.com/thehandyman

Make sure, if you’re in the trades, that you’re eating properly and doing yoga/stretching. Maybe even see a physical therapist. Yes it taxes your body, but you can minimize the damage with preventive care. Keep your weight on point. Eat healthy foods. Stretch stretch stretch and get good sleep.

From my teens to 39 I felt like thunder, I was a damn machine. And one day the man upstairs snapped his fingers and from that day forward, I knew I was mortal :(

I've been in remodeling since 2001. Worked for contractors probably 17 out of 21 years. The last two years for myself. Just turned 40 and it's been so nice choosing my homeowner's and jobs. I was just sick of the crappie homeowner's and not being in control of the entire project. I'm hoping to do furniture in my shop and possibly photography. There was no way my body would make it. The best part, I have so much time for my kids! I'm good after 20 plus. I don't regret any of it, it made me strong throughout my life.

I owe you so much for your advice and encouragement. I backed into this as a landlord in 2008 and now my 3rd year in business as a home repair/ one man show. I've never had it so good in my life just because I listened to your business tips and charge a lot more.

A key element is to make sure you take care of your body, especially if you are in a trade. Example: wearing ear protection, knee pads ext.. Take collagen for your joints and make sure to stretch in the morning before work. Little things like this can help so much over time! I love doing hands on work, especially if you have a mentality of serving your community. Eventually I want to get out of the field but I enjoy having a practical skill and learning. Literally everyday I see and do something new

Handyman I only found you a few months ago after I retired. 37 years in telecom and I always was a diy guy, plus worked on countless church projects with pros in their respective field. So I know what you’re saying about how to estimate time to do a job. I respect your views and appreciate your advice as I consider myself a novice in running my own handyman business. The key is set your goals. Mine are different than yours but the same principles apply to doing great customer service. In just a few months I already have repeat business from my first few customers. There are so many bad ‘drunks with pickup trucks’ to use one of your lines that just being presentable and doing the job right will pay dividends. Best of luck and I look forward to each video.

Right on the mark Handyman! "Go out there and learn how it's really done." It takes TIME to LEARN - patience and perseverance. Lots of great take-aways from your videos! I've watched every single one on both channels. Now, I may have to join Patreon 😆 Great to have you back on RU-vid!

I’m 51 years old been in the trades sense 19 years old I’ve had 2 back surgeries my shoulder is shot and my knee hurts so think hard about it before you get into it.

So insightful as always. Thanks for the awesome content!.. Never was a "skilled trade" type of worker, but have many hours with my dad who was, and bought a "fixer upper"... learned so much here and "on the job"

I have a desk job however on weekends I help my stepdad with his concreting business as a labourer, it’s not all glitz and glory like they portray it to be.

I got into Welding Inspection and Commercial Building Inspection about 6 years ago when I was 42. Lots of climbing around, lots of driving, but no heavy lifting. Better than a desk job for me since I move around a lot. Money is good- not quite 6 figures, but good enough for my needs and then some. Certs are everything in my field. After years of hard work as a roadie, carpenter, and welder this is easy breezy. Get some Certs!

great video handyman. Looking forward to the live stream. As always, I appreciate your knowledge.

This is good stuff. Iv been in the skilled manual labor world for nearly ten years. I'm nearing 30. Im working on transitioning into being more of a leader than a laborer. It's a whole different deal. Thanks for making this it gives me something to look forward to.

My time was 45. It was overnight, one day fine next day everything hurt.

A simple Thank you is needed. Great honest info. 20 years in the trades back breaking, knee damaging labor.

There is no short cuts. Go out and fix stuff. See how things go together. Learn the order in which things get done . Follow through with jobs. Do what it takes to get it done in timely manner . It's the Start that stops most people. It's no different than buying a model car and putting in the extra little detail to make the job look great instead of good

Great video just got into construction as a supervisor then a assistant superintendent I used to lay turf in the summers and I worked a pressure washing job for 8 months. It's nice that I have somewhat a experience dealing with customers and knowing certain things. I'm only 21 and I actually love working construction and I wanna run my own job one-day. Manual labor is hard work and that's why I always give our subs the utmost respect

Key take- away..... Don't be average.... I do floor covering repairs and carpet repairs and restretches... I average per hour worked $100.00 per hour. I am debt free sans the house. I don't work 8 hour days. I usually work 3-4 hour days on average. Some days less and some days more. Get DEBT FREE. I have lots of spare time to get other ventures launched.

Another transition for the handymen out there is to get into owning rentals, then you can maintain everything yourself and often at your own pace.

Good lord when you talked about hiring employees and being the only guy on a crew who had never been to prison. I was working as a steel worker in western PA I was college help at the time. My entire crew had some felony or another. A lot of fun working with them though. In terms of hiring it feels impossible anymore.

Ordered 6 mugs. Will make great gifts for my vendors! Thanks Handyman!

Great advice for anybody in the business. The #1 handyman knows his stuff!

Good to cya Handyman it's been awhile, as always great information!

What is great about this video is that I think the wisdom being shared in this video is applicable for even those of us in the non-manual labor camp-though the path for independence is less obvious sometimes.

Your live streams are great. You read and answer questions in the chat which is super cool 🖖😎.

Yet another great and informative video, thank you! Would you consider doing the come and take it mug as a t shirt?

Very good video! You provided excellent advice to anyone wanting to go out one their own.

Good to see yo back, great advise, thanks Handyman!

I knew a guy who was roofing at 78 still, he only retired because they forced him too. He never wanted to stop doing manual labor.

Excellent video...you speak the real, raw truth.....you are a great resource of real world experience....Listen up folks, this man knows what he is taking about...only wish I had this resource 30 years ago....

thank for the info on Markate... definitely going to check this out

Great video Handyman, you turned me on to markate and it changed my business in a big way hat's off to you

I did 30 years straight running my own Limousine hire business. I got out at 50 years old when Uber decimated the industry. I got my carpenters licence and am now a registered builder with the government authority. I now do remodelling and all types of handyman work and love it. Money is not the motivation and that is the key why I am so happy to do this at 53 years old now. The manual labour doesnt bother me and will keep going until it does. I enjoy the interaction with customers and finishing with high quality that exceeds customers expectation. The most lucrative work for me now is hanging doors. That is the niche I am milking and earning 3k a week for 20 to 30 hrs, beacuse I have no competetion, and all doors eventually need replacing. When I see a peckerhead driving down the road in a Ferrari I quietly think to myself he is driving a Ferrari but can he hang a door? The joy when a door is finished and smoothly closes shut for the first time is like a woman giving birth. Ill finish with the classic saying that is true for all in this game "It s not how you start its how you finish".

Best vid I’ve ever seen on biz side. Excellent thank you

Great information! Thank you for sharing this knowledge/wisdom! Ju da man!

I think we’d all love to here all the “stories”!

This definitely resonates with me as I am in that age range of 30-40. I know the soar back and joints all too well and chose to focus more on refinishing and updating. I sub out all flooring and tile work and charge in the higher end of my comfortability. Wealthy people want to know they are getting what they pay for. But yes I am looking at other aspects of the business that are less labor intensive and profitable like making my own cabinets and doors on cnc. We will see if the current market in the area can support it...

Love the info and wisdom! Thank you sir

Im just a homeowner but I love all aspects of home improvement. I often find what separates the regular-Joe (who has done a few repairs) and a skilled labor person is not only knowing the skills of the trade but also knowing the codes and how to do something “right”. I love your idea of /learning on someone else’s dime/ and /knowing how much to charge for a job/ - very cool, thank you sir. PS I have a desk job but I like to know the inner workings of how homeowner contractor folks think

Wow tons of helpful knowledge in this videos ,for instance if you are asking how long then you are not ready absolutely true

A good place to grow as a handyman is with big property managers. Their contractor applications are usually online and super easy. There is not a lot of pressure working in a house where there is a tenant or no one at all. Also the jobs will be mostly very simple, toilet valve, garbage disposals, etc.

Share it brother! Truth Spoken,, good advice for all folks looking to be their own boss and how its really done!

One of the most informative videos about this field I’ve ever seen. Social media can be your best friend and worst enemy. To any young guy listen to this and be well rounded and be patient it won’t happen overnight in most cases.

Been watching you for awhile now. Stay awesome my dude.

well there handyman, i really like your videos. i like how you take the time to explain and show to young men/persons about learning . i believe you're trying to get them to learn how to think... cause that's how you succeed in life... i appreciate that. you discuss how a lot of young persons (and i was young once) fail to apply self discipline to their life and end up in trouble before they even start out and then they almost kinda just give up and just start grabbing at the easiest and cheapest shiny and fun thing in front of them. then others kinda become so fixed in their ways and methods that they never are able to adapt and learn new better and faster ways or work with new materials... in the end, business is the same as trust between persons. the more you build up the trust someone has in your skills, knowledge and ability (ska) then the more they will pay you for that...you are absolutely right as well that a person needs to track their time, material costs, and tools... it is very important as that is how you able to give honest and valued answers to honest questions about value and costs which is how you build trust....

Just caught up, watched them all. Great channel!

Thanks for this. I started off as working in an auto body shop of my classmate's dad at 14. Started doing carpet as a helper at 16 then hardwood and tile after that. At 17 I started framing in the Arizona summer. It really only takes a couple of years to learn any of the trades. I recommend working for at least a half dozen people in different trades. Finally I worked for a high end architect who shifted me to running the business and crew instead of doing the labor. You have tons of advice.

Thanks for the advice everything you said is spot on.

I just subscribed! You are preaching the God honest truth! There’s levels and seasons to this!

Man you know I had to order a couple of those mugs when I saw that. Nice!

Great vid. Great points. Well done

I hear ya handyman, started painting at 21 and I will be 53 this year. Started a renovation company about 5 years ago and making decent money doing paint, drywall and trimwork, but the joints are really starting to ache the last 2 years

Before going out on my own many years ago, I too was often the only one who hadn't went to prison on the jobsite 😂 if you think drunk people at a bar are bad, get a look at Joe, drunk at 7am running a concrete saw lmao.

I worked as a maintenance technician for a 178 unit apt complex for 10 years. We did everything in house and taught me a ton. 3, almost 4 years in business now and love it.

Good to see you back

Been using Markate for 2 years now. Well worth the cost.

Your videos are really informative. Customer service is so important to long term business success.

I got into all this is to eventually be a builder and do little to no labor. But somewhere along the way I fell in love with the labor side of the work. Sheathing roofs in the sunlight with the shirt off feeling like Tarzan. So it's easy to lose sight of the original exit plan. But it is the wise thing to do

Building inspection is the way to go!

looking forward to all those stories about your employees :D

Thank you. This very valuable information.

loved this video bro, so many clueless posers in the worlds, this one and the real one. Keep keeping the secret. It's not free, cost me my body, insulation, retrofit residential new res and commercial architectural coatings for 12 years then worked at a general as foreman for 9 while doing mobile VW repair on the side to gain more savvy, then worked at VW shop to learn how they got successful. Finally after all that and more, I am flipping old school VWs at almost 49 years old, spending every cent I make on tools am now finally making a go at my passion.

Im 2 years into manual labor. I started in asbestos, lead, and mold union then residential. Took a break for 2 years because of pandemic, but now I’m back into water damage, mold, and clean demo I only want to work hard like this for about 5-10 more years and get out. Im 23 years old Hearing you say this has definitely set off a light bulb, and I need to learn as much as I can in these next 5 to 10 years to get out.

I've talked wages with a fair amount of contractors and it varies significantly. Some pay little over minimum wage and wonder why their turn over is really high. Others pay way above the average because they would rather have high retention on high quality workers than have to keep hiring. Those that choose to pay, who know how to do the business side of things well, tend to grow and retain costumers.

Great video. Been in the trades 15 years. Had my own handyman business for about 3 years. 32 now and starting to really feel it in my knees and body. Keep hold of employees has been my biggest issue. I pay them well, I teach them but still no luck holding on to them.

I Started working in my family building business at 15 and understood business quite well at 20/21 and was working as a subcontractor for other builders. then after 2 years returned to the family business as the project manager, estimator etc ran the business from 24-28 when i injured my back and havent worked in manual labour since. now i am studying Business

New Subscriber. I'm a retired Locksmith that understands where you are coming from. You give some Great Advice. Good Luck finding your way out. I'm 73 and the phone still rings daily.

I use “Invoice Simple” for my billing. Great program!

Can you do a livestream of all the crazy stories you referred to like you did back in the day from your boat?

Good luck with the channel.

Thanks for the knowledge!

Everything you have said is so true! I burned my body out after 40 years. Complete hip replacement and fused back. I’ve yet been able to retain quality workers inspite of paying well, and trying to keep it like “family”. There’s far too many sad stories with their life stories. Just trying to keep the drugs, alcohol, probation issues, and general rude behavior out of the customers presence. It’s mind boggling!! I’m done with trying to convince people to act right and work.

Great video, thank you.

Hey man great video, good information. Would you say all that you said applies to being an automotive technician as well, ( asking as a tech myself)

Bro your right on point on everything you said.

Coming up on 31. I’m hurting. Eyeing my field exit in the next 5 years, working on expanding to keep my company rolling :)

Yep. In any line of work. I agree, people should learn how the business is run and works

Just subbed, keep em coming

I'm amazed at the simplicity of your content, as well as the way its delivered. At 55, I'm an employee and hate it. Insee all the money and freedom that's afforded those that are self employed. I've been self employed on several occasions. The first was at the age of 24. Broke into subbing from a carpenter contractor. Doing simple roof sheeting. LOVED IT. I was smashing it. After that got into comp shingles. Laborer and then shingler. Then within a year was on my own. At 26 was smashing it again. 1800-2500 a week in 95. Surfed in KC then to Phoenix. Did the union thing. Carpenter Not my gig. Went out as a handyman. After working for others. Remodeling Additions. Renovations. Wood rot And so on. I seem to be comfortable with the guy who can handle all the ADMIN. SO.....QUESTION.... how to be self employed and not get all wrapped up in the congestion of Administration crap? I wanna work and make money. Great money. But working for another guy...(?)? He takes all the credit and my money. I make cash. 40$ it's been on and off for a couple years. I work on the books. Then off. Here and there. As in said. At 55....the bags are getting heavy man. The knees and the shoulders are feeling the pain. My work is super clean. Question 2. I've seen some hack work. Questionable at best. Makes me wince. I dont want may name on that crap. What is one to do.? Especially with be able to BID the right/RESPECTFUL price. Thanks

I'm only 33 and I'm getting tired of using my body to make money. I want to start using my brain to make money and save my body for the fun stuff.

Truer words were never spoken my friend, Great Job!

Handyman story time sounds like a good video anyone else 👍🏻

Awesome video. I haven't really made any financial videos. People prefer my tool videos more... LOL. But as a financial planner and business consultant. I always tell people that their exit strategy is just as important as getting started. In addition to that, when starting a business, ALWAYS work in the field first. Get paid to 1. Learn, as you said and 2. Figure out whether you REALLY like this type of work or not! Again, great video!

Wow did not realize that you worked as an electrician, and for so long. I can relate ypur journey is a similar to what am trying to do.

Great advice!

I’d rather be sore and achy at fifty with knee replacements and arthritis than be the overweight fella who spent the last 30 years sitting in a chair 8 hours a day dying of heart disease. Motion is lotion. Two sides of the equation. Thanks for the content.

This should be viewed in our schools, along with how to manage a checking account.

Great video handyman True words

No matter what career anyone chooses in life one must put in the work and truly understand their field if they are to go out on their own and be successful. It’s a long way to the top if you want to rock ‘n’ roll!

Spot On! I say if you worked in the trades at a young age, by 30s at least try your own business, even if you fail the first time it will give you a greater appreciation for everything else involved in managing a business and maybe you will find putting on that tool belt for 8 hours a day 5 days a week isnt so bad or you manage to get through the growing pains of your own business and it slowly becomes something you're proud of.. but I think you have to try at least once in your life.. watching 100+ hours of Handyman videos wouldnt hurt either Lol

Handyman I finally got you figured out. Somewhere along the line on your other channel you mentioned that doing Handyman stuff was not the core of your business but you did it for a reason. I now have figured out why you also took those jobs initially. A great marketing tool. You got it figured out. Your true angle is remodeling. I think the gist of what Mike Rowe talks about is true. Learning and marketing yourself as a tradesman is a ticket to be steadily employed. However it may require going the extra mile to really understand the business model of your skill sets. Those guys are the ones who make it a profitable business.

having been the only one that never went to prison. lmao. yeah I know a few friends who went down and met at certain places. all did the same. I only did manual labor for one year. it was enough for me to leave into a call center job. My hats off to you for keeping on it for so long.

Your honesty is appreciated sir, I commend you. Fake social media world...love it!

take care of your back guys and gals... slipped a disc when I was 23 years old and I haven't been right since

The best info is always kept in ppl's back pockets.

Man good advice!!!!

This is the best video on RU-vid. Period.

I am 42. Started serioisly sweeping chimneys in 2018. 2019 I patterned my job after most of the industry in the USA. Nobody in my area was doing other than the old school push brush and use the homeowners ladder. I got insurance, certifications, LLC, spent tons of time talking to guys who offered phone advice. Now its repairs, relining, installing, inspections.

hired two guys last week. One worked 2 days and left...one told me he couldnt start until this week and never showed LOL...its a huge challenge...I'm moving towards building spec homes and just subbing everything out...I truly love framing but I cant do it forever im 44 and my back, and feet are about shot. Love your vids man you speak truth and wisdom