Starting a handyman company?

[john70t]

I was thinking about making some more money while staying busy, and wondered about the process. There are plenty of feeble, retired, and/or people who might need help with small projects around here.
Landscaping, painting, minor construction/electrical/plumbing, etc., etc. I've done it all.

Just wondering about the cavaets: What are the lines that can't be crossed? Does one need a General Contractor's or Electrician's license to change a light or fan fixture? A taxi license to take a customer to the store for materials? A roofing licence to caulk edges?
Is bonding and insurance a necessity?

[scottmandue]

I did it for a while when I was unemployed... for small stuff... never got a license or permits.

Not saying it was legal but it kept me going for a while.

Never advertised, I knew a couple contractors and they would kick me down the little jobs they didn't want/need... after a little while by word of mouth I had a bit of a following (neighbors find out I show up on time, cleaned up after myself, and did quality work)

[GH85Carrera]

It would totally depend on location and local laws. I know of a guy that wanted to build a business on one corner of an intersection. The city & county started making demands for changes. He said screw it and moved across the street to a different county with no city and built it just the way he wanted.

[widebody911]

I thought those "handyman" outfits were just covers for male escort agencies?

[vash]

i think any job under $500 can be done without a license or permit?

(i might be talking out of my butt..)

[Cdnone1]

Don't take any job that involves pulling a permit or having an inspector sign off on it and you should be able to do all kinds of jobs.
Once the gov. gets involved you will spend all your time making money for them and very little making money for yourself

Steve

[cashflyer]

Originally Posted by john70t

Does one need a General Contractor's or Electrician's license to change a light or fan fixture? A taxi license to take a customer to the store for materials? A roofing licence to caulk edges?
Is bonding and insurance a necessity?

In some states, if you are getting paid for it you must have a license.

And I would say insurance is a must. What if that ceiling fan shorted out and burned the house down, and the elderly occupants were killed? I bet the next of kin will be looking at you.

[RWebb]

you have to check with your state - you don't say which one you're in

some, like Oregon, require licensing & bonding for anything you do to someone else's house

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by vash

i think any job under $500 can be done without a license or permit?

(i might be talking out of my butt..)

In CA the amount is the aggregate of labor AND materials. One cannot legally advertise services for any amount. However, lately I have seen ads with "unlicensed" in the ad. So maybe it's changed.

Since my window sales and installation business went.. well, out the window due to the economy, I now do handywork. I do have a general's license, but I prefer to not start anything too intense at this later stage in life. I've been at it one way or another for 40 years.

Networking is the key. Not being a flake once connecting is very important as Scott said. Advertising will get you not too many leads and almost all of them will be shoppers.

I find that half the work I know do is painting. More light painting and touch up than big stuff which is fine with me. Patching and wood repair are good to know as well. Being able to replace a few tiles or strips of wood floors comes in handy.

I shy away from electrical and won't do plumbing even though I can and have all the tools. I don't want to carry insurance with "completed operations" coverage, so best to stay away from jobs that can bite you. When has a paint job ever become a liability?

If you want to take it to a more technical level, hang doors and build gates. There are literally scores of things to do.

[wdfifteen]

The licensing issues depend on where you are located. The bonding and insurance cover your behind as well as give you legitimacy. I would never contract with anyone who didn't have insurance. However, I often hire part time help for this kind of thing. In that case, all the responsibility is on me. They don't get paid as much of course.

[mattdavis11]

It's a great way to make extra dough. Don't take on projects that require permits and excessive completion times. You might just want the ones where you "assist" the homeowner with the repair or upgrade. Most of the laws and ordinances, as well as licenses required, get thrown out the window in those circumstances. Cash.

[VINMAN]

Originally Posted by vash

i think any job under $500 can be done without a license or permit?

(i might be talking out of my butt..)

Thats how it is here in Joisey.

[Hugh R]

I've used a neighborhood handyman a few times for light stuff like painting. I won't use one for anything electrical, or climbing a ladder. If he falls and breaks his neck, he's going to own my house. The permits, licenses, insurance will take all your profits.

[cgarr]

We have a guy in our area that everyone uses. He does just about everything except major roofing. He is always very busy, where do you find someone to install a toilet, hang a door etc. Works by the hour and he is good!

[Zeke]

And, mostly I work for women, not men. Men tend to not hire "handymen.'

You better like working for women. For 40 years except for the time I built room additions and commercial build outs, I've mainly had contact with women.

[Hugh R]

Side benefits?

[RWebb]

BTW - Oregon, and maybe your state, has small biz get started help. They will decode the laws for you, explain common problems in a small biz, help you take Comm. College classes, and even give out loans (my city also has a small biz loan pgm).

So, check around & put your tax money to work -- for you.

[Mothy]

There is an outfit down under called "Hire-a-Hubby" - home handyman franchise.

Sounds funny now in light of some of the above comments above regarding working for women.

[john70t]

Great ideas thanks.

[jhynesrockmtn]

I supervised a maintenance guy at my previous non profit job. He was taking care of residential homes that disabled people lived in. He could do just about everything but heavy duty electrical. I had to lay him off and gave him the tools, sold him the van at a good price and worked with him on a business plan. My ex who is a real estate agent helped him network with agents and we used him for a few jobs. People selling homes always end up with a list of things to fix. Landlords always have maintenance to do on rentals. He made $35-$50 an hour for several years until health issues with his wife forced him to relocate. It can be done but being a good business person is key. Professional, setting the right expectations, quality work, on time, all that. GC license and insurance are a must.