Has anyone tried these out yet? I'm going to order a few. They have impressed customers a time or two. amzn.to/2E0g5AF For those who have been asking here is my patreon link. / thehandyman
from my experience as a general contractor, some of the richest and best dressed and appearing people are some of the most frugal and cheap customers I have had.
ha, that's fucking me, if the person I talk to has this feel like a weasel, I have a ton of problem paying for quick easy buck, like the handyman mentions here :) but I have no problem with paying more for a perfectly executed job, like the handyman does in his videos.
I know the men of which you speak. These are the guys who are actually posing, they usually have been lucky in wealth or put money back in gold and then when it went to $1600/ ounce, sold it and brag a lot. The actual rich white guy this video is talking about is, Real Money, or Blue Hair Money, generational wealth or those that have an understanding of that type of mentality. I too have dealt with both ends of this spectrum, the rich white guys that build office buildings, once you have their trust, its a price and a check(to steal from another patron of the channel) the "poser" as I call them, its, "give me a break down, or itemized list" then they only want to pay you for "X" or they say, "I can get this for $ off the internet", those are the ones that may be rich or have money, but they are still in the mindset of, "those who die with the most toys wins" mentality
A rich old white guy when I was first starting out last year gave me confidence to charge what I’m worth. I was repairing a custom TV cabinet that lifted the tv. Gave him the cost after I finished. He laughed at me and wrote a check for 4x that... It was in the neighborhood of $275ish an hour. We should all pay attention to those guys. There was a way they made their money.
@@christophercrawford2736 He "wrote a check for 4x that.... it was in the neighborhood of $275ish". It being the check he wrote, meaning, he wrote a check for ~275/hour so it would be after.
Charge 60 a hour 89.99 for installation And 45 dollar trip charge. Being punctual polite and cheerful is worth the money. In a low income area maybe half your price or drop trip charge.
@@wesleybrister955 stores do not charge less in low income areas. they charge more. Look it up, grocery stores and gas stations in low income areas are more expensive.
I find that its rich old white ladies that love me the most in this neck of the woods. They usually control the pocketbooks too so all the better! Throw in a dimmer and they can turn the lights from as bright as the sun to as dark as a firefly, people like the option.
AaronCo29 those guys were not rich. Smh. Lots of money was made when everyone else disappeared. 2008 just separated real rich from high volume consumers
Impressive excellent work , nice touch with the light presentation and showing what customers should see ! Those little details make a big difference . Killing it best of luck on this project !!!
I’ve followed your method for business and it works awesome. I have a general contractor who has an interior designer. The two work together, and hey also work separately. Between both of the them, they keep me busy literally 100% of the time. In fact, if I have a small job that I land personally, I have to tell them, otherwise I’m booked back to back. I’m like you in that I do most everything. They’ll set me free on a master bath remodel and I knock it all out. I’ll pay for materials up to drywall texture, then they pay for paint forward. Basically all the finishes. It’s such a sweet setup. I can’t believe more people don’t do it.
Great video. I agree on so many of your points. I was taught by a very famous, extremely wealthy business man the importance of always having a quality pen and note pad at all times. My best customers are wealthy old men that refer me to their friends, and it all started due to taking notes with pen and paper! Like the vibe of this channel, let the other woodpeckers show cabinetry. Even though I enjoy building them myself, I enjoy your other trades/skills/commentary and topics like this one. Thanks again
Your videos have really helped me price work, both at my real job working as a PM for a GC, as well as my side hustle doing handyman work. Thank you sir.
I live and work in New Orleans. I charge everyone the same hourly rate for my work. A lot of the richest people here are also the cheapest and the poor tend to be generous. I used to bid jobs but it was a tale chasing lifestyle. Now I just show up all competent and alert (with my trusty notebook of course), speculate about the job and then announce my t and m rate. The money works out about the same for renovations and repairs and I’m not guessing about what’s up in them plaster walls.
Thanks for the great tips that can work on other business ventures as well! Like the tip about how you writing on paper looks more professional than using a phone because it can be confused with texting instead.
Love this and the other channel. I’m in junk removal but still applies in business. Looking the part separates you from the lesser quality. Get what you pay for. Nice work on locking up the work. 👊🏼
Thankyou for sharing your knowledge of sales tactics. You are 100 percent right about presentation and how you are judged by how you look and what you do during an interaction. This definitely seperates you from the herd. I see alot of younger guys trying to get work and just the fact they are younger will discourage most people from feeling comfortable with there experience. Again thankyou for the time you spend producing these videos.
Like your info. I learned years ago when dealing with potential customers, its all about good presentation of yourself. One thing I always keep in mind is a piece of advise I was given years ago. "Appeal to their greed." It makes no difference if they are rich, everyone loves a good deal. If they get the impression you are motivated, competent, knowledgeable, and trustworthy, 9 out 10 times you will get the job. Dealing with older people is an art in itself. Sounds like you have fine tuned your salesmanship. Cant wait to see the vids of actual work. Keep the videos going. Enjoy watching.
I'm liking this channel for the business side of it. Good to hear anther handyman's opinion on how they prefer to do things. I still check out the other channel too :) Toronto, Canada
You and I have a lot in common. The only difference is that as of now I wont do a job unless Im overseeing the entire project, as a gc. I just found some obstacles in dealing with other subs on projects that didnt work for me. It slowed my work progress etc. Maybe one day that could change, but as of now that how I do it. With that being said, I do smaller repair work as well, so it doesnt have to be a complete renovation for me to do it. You were exactly right that there arent very many of us in the field that have the skilled experience but also the ability to meet with potential clients and close the deal. Its a dance of not coming across as a salesman but at the same time having a presentation and process that appeals to those you are meeting with. Most people just want someone that listens, addresses their concerns, is reasonable in pricing (doesnt mean cheap...my pricing is pretty high up the “reasonable” list), and finally someone trustworthy. I ALWAYS do what I say that I will do. I ALWAYS work as hard as I can to satisfy a client, even when they are difficult and unreasonable. Doesnt mean that you can always satisfy them, but I will do everything in my power to do so.
Congratulations for getting the job! When you were showing the switch for the demo rig my first thought was "That should be a dimmer switch." People love a dimmer switch.
I used the same type of led at my friends house. The good part about is that there is no tall can to install. Great for 2 story houses with limited access space. Bought at Home Depot in Martinez.
I was thinking about your filming style and was thinking this is how you do it, this is our 'ride along' where we get to learn and see behind the scenes of what goes on through contracts and negotiations. That's what I love about RU-vid...no one is acting, you're real people giving testament to your real life experience. Having said all that I hope people can take note and learn and grow from your information. That rich old white guy will be no fool, he was smart enough to earn his money. He also has a fair idea of how much he wants to spend - if you're someone they can trust and you carry yourself as a professional then you got it made. The idea of giving a 'demo' to a software industry guy cracks me up...but I'm sure he loved it.
Nice job on videos and thanks for all the great advice. The light sample👍, if you really want to look expensive next time take notes on a tablet! Techy, sophisticated customers will def be impressed!
Thanks for the Tips! I'm in Florida, i think im going to get some of the button down fishing type shirts embroidered with my logo to be more formal than company logo T-shirts
You sold me on the Leatherman Charge about 8months ago. Something I never thought I would carry or utilize. So, I decided I carry a clip on knife, why not trade it out for a 1 month trial. I have never looked back, I too won’t leave the house without it. I use it all of the time, can’t count the number of trips to the truck it has saved me. Love hearing the tips on the sales games. They are the truth.
Nice advice Handyman. The two points made; Be able to present the product in working order (the light thing you did), and use pen and paper especially with older people shows you aren't texting but rather listing the jobs and materials that they are concerned with. Sound advice from you on that one. Thx
You should mount that led light on a 4ft pole and mount the switch to it. Than plug it in and you can walk around the room showing people the light postions in the rooms.
Joe Barath maybe some kind of ring with a threaded cup to thread a painting pole into it. Then you can change the length at any house you go to. Maybe the ring could be some kind of ratcheting strap. I don’t know 🤷♂️
My best customers were gay couples. Think about it two guys who each make six figures and no kids. Hell they wouldn't even ask for as estimate. They'd say just do it and we'll pay cash. That was Saugatuck Michigan back in the day.
I'll remember to dress down the next time I'm looking for an estimate. I have 2 of the 3 attributes of the 'check writer'...….old, white......but not rich!
I am in an unrelated business, but the pricing and self employment is similar. Most of my customers are wealthy. I get the work because I can comfortably interact with the people which allows them to be comfortable with me. Sincerity always works.
Great tips on sizing up your customer. I find the older rich folks in my area have to be lowballed at first. It’s all about trust, once you’re in then you can name your price on future jobs. Do you buy your LEDs from the electrical wholesaler or Amazon? A future video request is how you make your “keep or toss” decisions for left over material from one project for use on another? I think we’ve all been stung on this one and it would be good discussion. I use a modified 80/20 rule.
Here's an LED spec. Don't buy cheap Lowes or Home Depot generic brand LED bulbs. Incandescent are longer lasting and don't go yellow or start blinking as the aforementioned do.
Yes dealt with that scenario, having a sit down meeting with the CEO of his own company and it's not rocket science, they just want your total attention. Showed up earlier, had to wait because he was late, which is a control thing and the meeting went well. You know the Rich White Guy puts his pants on one leg at a time just like the rest of us. They're just nicer pants and their just used to meetings. Got the job and now he calls me for everything. Because I show up on time, I don't smell like an ashtray and beer cans don't fall out of my truck when I open my door. In the area I live in it's amazing that showing up especially on time almost always makes the job happen. Handyman thanks for making all the videos, I know it's a time consuming task, but please keep them coming.
I like the "They put their pants on one leg at a time like the rest of us" saying. That very saying took me to heights in a nation wide company even I couldn't imagine at the time, the only difference is, I added, "unless he has a butler that puts his pants on for him" and the guy in question had made a 180 and came back around the corner in mid sentence as my back was turned to him and the rest of the guys just walked away with a weird look on their face and I knew, he was standing behind me. This is a man that has had to sit in front of Congress and explain why the company had to lay off so many people and why the business wasn't doing as well as Congress thought it should be doing, it is a fine line to draw, to say the least, but that's another story. Just wanted to add, Keep On Keeping On and I agree, Thanks for the videos Handy Man!
Yep! Paying attention with a pen and notepad goes a long way I've found. I dont know why, but people just think it looks right. People pay attention to your posture and eyes, so look where your suppose to and look focused. Use proper English and quit saying, "uh...um". That drives those specific people crazy! You've got to stay sharp out there guys!
Homeowner here. I went back and re-watched the video you linked in the pinned comment, and it brought something to mind when you talked about having to go type up some invoices. I shouldn't have to say this, but please, PLEASE make it a habit to do business in writing! I hired a painter a little while ago to paint the exterior of my house. Younger guy, learned the contracting business from his uncle who is fairly well-regarded locally. (Which is why I recognized his name.) He showed up when promised, did what he said he'd do, performed quality work, and the price was right. BUT-- even though I'm happy with his work and he provided good value for money, I may not hire him for some interior work I'm going to need done later, and I'm CERTAINLY not going to hire him to act as the general for the collection of projects I want to get done this year. Why? He doesn't do business in writing. Everything was by phone call or text. I had to ask him for a written invoice when none was forthcoming at the end of the job -- and then I had to remind him twice. When he finally sent one, it was a one-line email. And he wants me to trust him with keeping track of 3 bathroom remodels? I don't think so. I wish someone would tell him why it's important to provide customers with records of work done and money paid. It would be rude coming from me.
ChrisC this is great advice! I always prefer to communicate with customers through text to make sure there’s a written record of what we discussed but my jobs are a lot smaller. I specialize in tv mounting and the associated services. Side note: tv mounting seems easy to me and I would think it’s something any homeowner can do, aside from the tricky situations I have every once in awhile like my last job today, but it’s actually not. I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve had to fix a horribly botched job from a handyman... even mounted tvs for 2 people in construction who didn’t even wanna touch it and would rather go with a professional.
LED Nerd - CRI you're looking for, which is basically a measure of the quality of light and accuracy of colors. A CRI of 70 is typical, 80 is pretty good, and 90 is very nice.
Not that you need more tasks to steal your time..... but a handyman business podcast would pair really well with this channel. You always have a lot to say and it's easy to listen to for everyone interested in this channel. You could record like 10-15 minute rants even just on your phone, publish, and promote it through this channel. Just an idea, I always love watching but due to time restraints it's easier for me to listen to podcasts while I work... so I'm just being selfish Anyone else?
Ryan Luby I too would like that. I often find myself clicking on his videos while driving and only briefly glance at whatever he’s directly referencing.
What about taking notes on your phone if you have a samsung note or lg stylo and you are writing them with a stylus? Thats almost like a pen and paper and you can then share it digitally afterwards if you like or need to.
CRI is the other spec of importance. Color rendering index. It has to do with the way the light makes objects/ colors appear. A good CRI number is over 90, it becomes important when installing lights for art work in galleries or fancy houses
Lol.. you’re totally correct when saying, you can’t look like a scrub, and must speak properly when trying to sell yourself, or your company etc... I find it funny when kids I work with always ask me how I sell so much.. #DONTBEGHETTO
Home Depot also sells them with a switch that allows you to switch between 3 different light settings. The switch is on the transformer box. And they don't blink on low with a dimmer switch either.
On those Cover Alls i have bought them before they are okay but i found better deals at the military surpluss stores. look for maintenance crew coveralls or Navy crew coveralls the material is much more durable, and i got them at bulk price 10 pairs mediume Regular $25.00. hope this helps
I like my daylight type light bulbs the more blinding the better, I also carry the titanium Charge with clip attached as a formal carry, for brutish work I take my Surge, doubles as a hammer or something to throw at a vicious dog while running away in a not so gracious manner, so no sloppy heathens allowed at sales meet,
Hey man I RUN on the idea that if you show the customer that you're willing to work hard enough to take your notes on paper compared to your cell phone ....... they're more inept to hire you rather than a handyman that cant put the phone down!