The essentials you need to run a successful handyman business
Running your own handyman business can be a rewarding venture. You can choose which services you want to offer and pick your own hours, making it easier to fit in time with the family or meet your mates at the pub for a pint. Working for yourself is also believed to be better for your wellbeing.
A study conducted by the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) found that prior to the pandemic, Brits who were self-employed were more satisfied with their jobs and reported lower levels of anxiety than those who were privately employed.
If you’ve decided to take the plunge and launch your own handyman company, there are a few important things to arrange before you open for business. From investing in proper tools and equipment, getting to jobs and taking out a solid insurance policy, there’s a lot to take into consideration. Here, we outline the essentials every handyman needs to run a successful business.
Having the correct tools
The tools you need to have in your kit will depend on the work you carry out for your clients. Set up a basic toolbox containing the items you need for most jobs. Tools such as Estwing Hammers from Stonex, screwdrivers, and tape measures are likely to be used daily, so keeping these stored separately from the equipment you use less frequently will make it easier to be organised and ensure you turn up to your jobs with all the essentials you need to hand.
Having the ability to travel to jobs
To be a successful tradesman, it’s important to have your own vehicle to get around in. Public transport is not always reliable, and it wouldn’t be practical to carry boxes of equipment on the train, especially if you have to walk a fair distance to arrive at your client’s home.
Investing in a small car or even a van will make it easier to keep to your schedule, get to your jobs quickly and eliminate the stress and frustration that comes with waiting for public transport. A small vehicle will also allow you to transport your tools and equipment to the site with ease.
Getting insured
Insurance is the best way to protect yourself and your business from taking a financial hit if something doesn’t go to plan. Tradesmen insurance can at least partly protect you from loss of physical items, such as your tools, any equipment you hire, vehicles, and materials you use on site.
Tradesmen insurance can also protect your business against damage caused by your work, such as pollution or contamination. This protection extends to your clients, who are likely to be the ones affected and disgruntled if a job doesn’t turn out the way it was intended, so it’s important to have this extra assurance in place for their peace of mind, too.
