Have you ever considered becoming a handyman? To be successful as a professional handyman, you have to know the job requirements. It’s also important to know how much money can be made. Read this article to get the average pay rate, and what you need to do to become a professional handyman.
Who Is a Handyman?
A handyman, also known as a “handyperson” or the British term “Jack of all Trades” is a man performing various tasks around homes. To become a professional handyman, the first requirement is to be skilled in different areas of work. This includes carpentry, painting, plumbing, and other skillsets.
If you want to become a reliable handyman, it’s important that you have good customer service skills. You will be dealing with clients on a daily basis and they should feel satisfied after your visit.
Get ready as a contractor may ask you to do something from scratch. The odd jobs may include designing a staircase or creating a perfect table. Common handyman services include painting bedrooms and fixing a leaky faucet. This requires that you are skilled in these areas, but also passionate about what you do.
A handyman usually charges their clients at hourly rates. The cost estimates by region but usually handyman rates range between $40 and $110. Get ready to compensate tool material costs.
How to Become a Handyman?
Some handymen have a high school diploma and others have a bachelor’s degree. You will need to meet the financial requirements of your state and be over 18 years old in order for you to get certified as an apprentice or journeyman within this field.
Most clients require a handyman with great stamina and the ability to work for extended periods of time. If you are looking to become a handyman, be ready to get your hands dirty.
Handymen usually are self-employed so you will need to account for taxes and insurance rates. You should be prepared to work on your own as well. This means driving yourself around town to various sites in order to complete projects. Many handymen run their own handyman business with a website for easy contact.
Handyman Education
First practice can be obtained at a technical school. You might be able to get a basic certification in one year or less. You will need to take courses and seminars that are related to the industry you want to work in, for example, carpentry. There are different certifications that handymen can get if they want a higher salary such as Commercial Handyman or Certified Residential Contractor.
Next, find an employer who has openings for apprenticeships. The last step is becoming certified as a journeyman by taking another exam through your state in order to be able to work on your own.
How to Get a Handyman License?
Becoming a certified handyman is the last step in your journey. There are things that you need to do in order to get this career off of the ground. First, students generally attend a technical school where they can become eligible for certification exams after taking courses and seminars related to their desired industry.
For example, carpentry classes would be necessary in case you want to become a carpenter. After completing these classes, students can take an exam through their employer which is administered by the state in order to be able to work as a journeyman without supervision from another tradesperson or supervisor.
An alternative route of becoming certified would be going directly through your state and taking the certification exams offered there based on your desired trade.
Becoming a certified handyman is a good perk as some clients may require an accredited professional. They may ask about your prior work and liability insurance. Plus, certified handymen can charge more than a non-certified one. In short, a handyman license adds more credibility and trust points.
A handyman license is beneficial but not necessary. As there is plenty of work available, especially if you have skills that can be proven in practice.
What Does a Handyman Do?
A handyman is an individual who has skills in a variety of trades and can fix anything. They are generalists, as opposed to specialists. There have been some discussions about whether or not this career path should be replaced by that of the trade specialist. It seems unlikely because there will always be work for someone with basic knowledge on any number of topics: plumbing, electrical wiring, carpentry, etc.
A person working within the trade as a consultant might specialize more narrowly than one who does not. The most common skill set among handymen includes painting, drywall installation/repair, flooring (vinyl plankings), deck building, and gutter repair. People usually hold many different licenses at once due to the inherent diversity of the field.
The type of work you do will largely determine how much you earn. For example, installing a toilet costs less than building an outdoor deck but pays more on an hourly basis. General contractors may ask to work from scratch or do small jobs. These include routine maintenance, home repairs with high-end materials.
A handyman needs various skills and tools in order to work. Depending on what type of work you provide, you’ll need a range of tools. This can be an inspection camera to check narrow areas. Or a light meter to find if there’s enough lighting in the room. The list of professional tools can be endless. Contact your client in advance to get what tools to bring for a specific project.
What Is an Average Handyman Salary?
An experienced professional can earn anywhere from $60 000 to $150 000 annually. A person who does not specialize might be able to make around $30 000 to $40 000 per year. If you want to save money, hire a handyman who works independently. As a handyman company provides services at an hourly rate with extra charges to the total cost. On the other hand, corporate handymen could provide solid discounts.
How Much Does a Handyman Charge Per Hour?
An average handyman can expect to make $25-35 per one hour. This is about $100 000 to $140 000 annually before taxes and business expenses are taken into consideration. Mind these figures are averages rather than absolutes. Some handymen charge by the hour while others may offer flat rate pricing. Or simply take jobs on spec without establishing prices with their clients in advance. The total price depends on the amount of work required. Whether these are minor repairs or solid renovation.
How to Start Your Own Handyman Business
Becoming a handyman is as easy as starting your own company. You will need to register at the state level and file for an EIN number with the IRS. You can skip registering it with any other governing body. Since there are none specifically overseeing this type of service. One exception would be if you want to do contracting work that requires licenses with a governing body, such as electrical work.
Once you have your business registered and are ready to start marketing yourself, it’s important that you get all of the necessary tools for the job ahead. A good toolkit will include: a hammer, screwdrivers, pliers, wrenches. As well as a cordless drill with a variety of bits. You may also want to have other hand tools that are specific to the job at hand. These include an electric saw or sander depending on what you will be doing in your business.
You should always carry any necessary safety equipment required by law. And enforce it for yourself and anyone working with you. A good pair of safety goggles are a must for any home improvement job.
Handyman Jobs and Salary Revealed
A national average handyman can make over $60,000 per year. The salary depends on their experience and skill level. Certified and well-experienced professionals charge more. Handymen usually charge per hour or offer flat prices. You may consider getting a handyman license to be accredited in your state. Get ready to provide a range of services according to your contractor’s needs. You may be asked to replace wiring or make a general home repair. An experienced handyman can easily estimate the work done.
Finding the right handyman may be challenging. Develop a trusting relationship with your contractors to thrive your business. Provide a reasonable hourly rate to draw more potential clients.
