03/23/2024
Found this on Reddit…. So good…
https://www.reddit.com/r/handyman/comments/1bjeoeu/my_top_12_rules_for_being_a_handyman_and_running
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My Top 12 Rules for Being a Handyman, and Running a Handyman Business
Thought this sub would benefit from some insights I've gained over the last two years of building my business. I did look for duplicates, but didn't find anything quite like what I had in mind. If you have suggestions, comments, or edits, please feel free to let me know.
1. Never state a price without putting eyeballs on the problem. I learned this one very quickly; there is no way to properly diagnose and quote a job over the phone. Don't even guess. Get over there with a level, tape measure, pad of paper, flashlight, and take notes. Then do some research, then email them back with a quote.
2. You are going to screw up. I've been fixing and building things my entire adult life, but when I made this my business, I had to do a lot more learning. Even so, I still cut boards short, don't take something into account, break things that I should have been more careful with. Don't beat yourself up, just take a deep breath and keep making progress until you are done. Then make a mental note how to do it better next time.
3. Take breaks, drink water. I do a lot of thinking on the job. I also do a lot of very physical labor. When you get tired, you make mistakes, and mistakes cost time and money, and greatly increase the odds that you will hurt yourself.
4. Do not rush. Take your time. That doesn't mean go slow as molasses, it means go as quickly as you can to ensure the job is done correctly the first time. If the customer does not believe you, kindly take the time to explain each step, why you did it that way, why doing it another way is bad, and then finish up by kindly telling them that they are paying you to explain all this.
5. Do good work. Don't do bad work. Over the last two years I've had good jobs, fun jobs, creative jobs, and a whole host of crappy, drudge, disgusting jobs. Each one I have worked to ensure that it was done correctly, with the right materials, to the satisfaction of the customer. As a result, I've been too busy working to advertise, build a website, or even have business cards printed up. All word of mouth.
6. Never miss an opportunity to shake the money tree. Right now, I'm building and installing a custom sliding gate for a fence. Hey, your outdoor outlet isn't working. I do install GFCI outlets too, eh? I've also got my business contact info pinned on my phone. Someone wants to chat? Sure, but I'm busy now. Let's exchange info, make a note to call back. I've gotten four other jobs in the same neighborhood from people walking by while I was building a railing outside.
7. Don't be a hero. Your most valuable tool is your body. If there's even a mild risk of you hurting yourself, figure out a way to lessen or eliminate the risk. Get good tough shoes and boots. Wear long pants with reinforced knees. Get two pairs of very good gloves. Lift with your knees, not your back. Raining out? Don't get up on a ladder, don't do roof work, in fact, just avoid the outdoors today. Moving a lot of wood? Wear very tough gloves. Something isn't stable? Stop right there, figure out a different way. Lifting more than 25 pounds over your head? Wear a hardhat. All of this stuff is inconvenient, annoying, uncomfortable, and will save you from a bad injury.
8. Tell the customer everything, then put it in writing and get it in their hands. If there's a larger problem that is found while working on the job, tell them in detail and tell them it will cost more to fix. Be somewhat prepared to say how much more, but also tell them it will be difficult to put an exact number on it, as it is an unexpected problem. Be sure to say that if they don't want it fixed that's fine, but if they do, the original stated price is going up.
9. Do one quote for free. Charge for everything after. Early on I ran into a problem of one guy having me come out, look something over, then telling me "I have to talk it over with my wife." A month later, he'd say they didn't have the money for the original fix, is there a cheaper option. Maybe, but it's been a month, I need a fresh look. After time #3, I told him I would have to start charging him $30.
10. If the customer was an expert, they wouldn't need you. Oh, the stories I could tell. My personal favorite was someone who wanted their kitchen cabinets leveled. Went out and gently broke it to them that their cabinets were already level, their house was just sinking in one corner. Yes, you need your drywall fixed, but only because you have a leak in your roof. Get the roof fixed then call me. Your toilet drain is leaking? It certainly is, and has been for some time, but it is worse now because your subfloor has absorbed the toilet water and rotted out. This all goes back to rule #1, get eyeballs on the problem.
11. Know your limits. Can I build a roof? Yes. Will I build your roof? No, get a team of roofers out. Be prepared to refuse a job because unfortunately sometimes the only way to win is not to play. Be ready to recommend who can do a job out of your scope.
12. Secure your tools, clean and organize regularly. I've had to chase down a drug addict who snatched up my cordless stuff when I went in to use the bathroom, but I've had to make a lot more emergency trips to the hardware store because I didn't check to make sure I had exactly what I needed for a job. Saw blades need replacing, drill bits break, gloves wear out, paint goes bad, glue dries out, boards warp.
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