A lot for noon naps nestled in a gently swaying hammock.

I by some means managed to fireside up a handyman enterprise that’s consuming increasingly more of my time. Did I lose the plot? I imagined Early Retirement as a relaxing and carefree escape whereas chiseling away the years in a cubicle.

This complete handyman nonsense began earlier this 12 months after I spent six weeks rehabbing a buddy’s rental house (the earlier tenants trashed the place). Because the challenge unfolded and every new problem received knocked down, the rewarding feeling of tangible achievement sparked one thing in me.

Getting shit done with a drill and a hammer felt higher than countless conferences and emails. Think about that?

So why the heck does a so-called “early retiree” determine to change into a handyman?

1. I like fixing issues for individuals – being useful.
2. It will get me out of the home when my spouse is working and the youngsters are at college. Boredom avoidance.
3. I get to satisfy all types of individuals and get a wholesome dose of optimistic social interplay.
4. I’m typically studying new abilities and am incessantly challenged by new jobs.
5. You’ll be able to solely play a lot pickleball earlier than your Achilles tendons begin to cry “Uncle!”

What a Handyman Does

There’s a world of prospects with this gig. I favor the “punch listing” duties that may be accomplished inside a number of hours of concentrated effort. These embody putting in ceiling followers, hanging bi-fold doorways, changing rubbish disposals, putting in locks, fixing railings, and so forth.

Huge jobs like rehabs and putting in kitchen cupboards come alongside sometimes, however are extra time intensive and crimp an early retiree’s type (I’ve received pickleball wants, man!) Nonetheless, all of those jobs are nice for earning a little extra scratch when your net worth is tied up in not-so-easy-to-tap 401K and actual property belongings.

Not each job is a picnic. Simply this week I helped a good friend of a good friend with a bathroom restore that took longer than it ought to have, due to rust-fused tank bolts. I’ve by no means hugged a bathroom a lot simply to loosen some nuts. Bogs – Not on the menu!

These soiled a$$ jobs you’re taking as a result of, effectively, you wish to be an excellent good friend. I additionally don’t prefer to tackle portray jobs, however for the suitable shopper I’ll make an exception, and I’ll most likely cost a bit extra too.

Given the suitable instruments, there are few repairs a DIY’er or a handyman on FIRE can’t full. I’ve three toolboxes at this stage of my journey: One for all the fundamental instruments, one for plumbing tools and parts, and one for greater energy instruments and miscellaneous security gear (eye and ear safety, knee pads, and so forth.).

How A lot Cash Does a Handyman Make?

Most handymen make anyplace from $25 to $100 per hour. I cost on the excessive finish after I’m tackling these one-off jobs of an hour or much less. That helps offset the price of driving round city in an SUV sucking down gasoline with a less-than-ideal MPG.

If it’s going to be a 3-plus hour job, I’ll put collectively an estimate and take a look at my greatest to stay near it. Stunning your prospects isn’t a good suggestion, so after I come throughout a SNAFU I allow them to learn about any adjustments to the unique plan earlier than I proceed.

By now, I figured I’d have accomplished a number of actual property offers with that fancy Realtor’s license I acquired again in October of 2023. It’s sadly been crickets on that entrance, however within the meantime, I’ve remodeled 20 grand in revenues from a really part-time endeavor (6 – 12 hours per week).

Plus, each shopper will get one among my Realtor enterprise playing cards to placed on their fridge. I believe/hope the handyman gig will repay down the highway when a few of my prospects look to promote.

The way to Develop into a Handyman and Construct Your Abilities

Turning into a handyman doesn’t require one to know all the pieces there may be to learn about each single commerce. I’ve an in depth listing of providers to supply, however generally there are jobs past my ability stage. Different occasions I simply plain don’t wish to do it! (Rest room swaps, drain repairs, you realize – the actual yucky stuff…)

I constructed up my assortment of abilities by taking up small duties round my home and repairs at our rental properties. My recommendation is to start out with a number of small initiatives and use YouTube as your information:

1. Changing door lock handsets and deadbolts. Typically, this process requires nothing greater than a screwdriver. Chances are you’ll want an influence drill to interchange strike plates.
2. Changing lighting fixtures or ceiling followers. Get an excellent ladder, and another mild supply, and switch off the sunshine swap. You want a voltage “pen” tester and a few wire cutters (in case the ends of the wires have to be stripped). Should you nonetheless get a sign of electrical energy flowing after turning off the swap, flip the breaker on the service panel. I additionally advocate utilizing a small cable or hook to hold the brand new fixture from the mount whereas connecting wires. You don’t wish to simply the fixture hold by wire nuts or it might simply come crashing down.
3. Changing taps. If you could find the water provide valves and switch them off, there’s nothing to worry. Assuming you don’t have rusted nuts maintain that faucet in place. For this job, get a can of WD-40 with the extension nozzle. This lets you attain into tight spots and take away rusted-on nuts from their bolts. I additionally maintain a easy kneeling pad useful for working from my again, and an LED headband for lighting up the work space underneath a sink. You’ll wish to choose up a few adjustable crescent wrenches (one small, one massive), a set of vice grips, and a plumber’s socket set. Should you’re changing the drain as effectively, choose up some plumber’s putty.

These have been the “massive 3” that received me began after I bought my first house years in the past. Numerous initiatives have related mechanisms and instruments. Grasp these three, and also you’re effectively in your means.

As soon as you are feeling you could have what it takes to swap a faucet or two, or a giant, heavy ceiling fan, see for those who may help out a good friend or member of the family to get some expertise underneath your belt. Simply keep in mind, for those who come throughout a state of affairs that appears sophisticated, don’t attempt to be the hero. I’ve opened up a number of fixtures with spaghetti junction wiring that left me questioning how the hell that home didn’t burn down but.

In instances like these, name within the execs. Equally, if the water valves begin leaking when endeavor a faucet alternative, you most likely want new valves put in. This can be a “level-up” process that’s not tough in and of itself, however you want to know what you’re doing earlier than taking up supply-side plumbing points.

Keep in mind that your instruments, mileage, and provides are tax write-offs, which is able to assist you considerably come tax time. That stated, don’t go nuts and purchase a shitload of shiny new Milwaukee instruments that you just’ll by no means use. Usually you’ll be able to hire sure instruments or borrow them from a good friend.

In your fledgling handyman enterprise, begin with one small influence driver with additional batteries, a multi-tool, and possibly a battery-powered hand noticed. Finally, you’ll wish to choose up a nail gun, and in that case, I’d additionally go along with a battery-powered unit that makes use of 16 gauge nails. Simply attempt to get all of those instruments underneath the identical model and battery sort, so you’ll be able to simply swap batteries between instruments. 

The way to Market Your Handyman Enterprise

Should you’re like me and simply searching for a part-time handyman gig, nothing beats word-of-mouth advertising and marketing. These first few jobs (if completed proper and at an affordable worth) are positive to generate referrals. Nonetheless, for those who’ve simply began to enterprise into this gig, you’ve gotta let individuals learn about it.

NextDoor.com has been my bread and butter in relation to advertising and marketing. I’ve a page for my handyman business setup on Next Door with my contact data and a short description of my providers. The good half about Subsequent Door is it’s free, and when prospects discover you there, they will additionally submit suggestions. A optimistic suggestion generates not less than a half dozen new leads.

I’ve additionally discovered prospects through my Google.com business page. As an area enterprise, I can present plenty of useful particulars for anybody wanting up “Minneapolis Handyman”. And the critiques (100% 5 stars) assist generate new enterprise. Plus, it’s free!

I’ve additionally tried Thumbtack, however I don’t advocate it. I give up after paying means an excessive amount of for leads that went nowhere. Simply keep away from Thumbtack and follow Google and Subsequent Door. Belief me, you don’t need the frustrations and misplaced income that comes with utilizing this platform. 

What’s to Love (and to not love) About This Hustle

Being a handyman is extra rewarding than you’d most likely think about. No, it isn’t glamorous. It’s not a job that you just take up for status. And but, I come house after one or two initiatives feeling like I achieved one thing. Distinction that with my 17 years in healthcare insurance coverage; Positive, I received paid a pleasant wage, however tangible outcomes have been elusive.

Virtually each single buyer is sweet to work with and appreciates the job I do. I get to work together face-to-face with new individuals at each gig. These are additionally novel issues after slogging the political corporate seas.

After all, there are a number of ache factors, like as an illustration, bogs. I nonetheless tackle rest room restore for family and friends however I’m just about completed with dealing with these points. I’ll substitute a flapper or flush management system, however that’s about it. And as I discussed earlier than, generally you get taps which might be inconceivable to take away with no torch and a Sawzall. GD rusted nuts!!!

I burn extra energy these days due to the bodily nature of the work. Even hauling a few heavy toolboxes counts for my day by day farmer’s carries. I have to be cautious although as a result of there are some heights concerned with fixtures and tight squeezes with plumbing.

Typically I’ll come house feeling like I’ve been put by way of the wringer. Should you’re in respectable form, the handyman gig could also be an excellent match for you.

Construct sufficient goodwill and a gentle movement of leads, and you’ll command a good worth listing in your providers. In my first full 12 months, I’m producing roughly $300 per challenge, at a price of about $80/hour. Working for myself as a sole proprietor, I don’t get taxed like a W2 worker, so my hourly price is nominally greater.

One final level: Regardless that the roles are available bunches and issues decelerate throughout winter time, I can discover different helpful issues to take up my time: just like the initiatives in our own residence, or, possibly this weblog.

(Featured Photograph by Susan Holt Simpson on Unsplash)

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