Offering Handyman Services: DIY Enthusiast to Professional
As long as the service industry grows so will handyman services. Learn how offering handyman services can increase your revenue streams.
- Offering handyman services can be a lucrative side hustle for skilled DIY enthusiasts.
- Handyman tasks include plumbing, painting, carpentry, and smart home upgrades.
- Earnings range from $20 to $100 per job, with experienced handymen making $50,000-$100,000 annually.
- Find gigs on TaskRabbit, ThumbTack, Handy, HomeAdvisor, and local classifieds.
Brett has years of experience starting businesses.
Are you skilled with your hands? Does your DIY knowledge go beyond simple home repairs and maintenance?
If you answered “yes,” you may be sitting on a valuable side hustle opportunity.
By offering handyman services, you’ll be able to earn extra income while doing what you love.
Handymen, also known as maintenance workers or repair technicians, are skilled professionals who offer a variety of services, including:
- Minor plumbing
- Furniture assembly
- Drywall repair and maintenance
- Interior and exterior painting
- Gutter cleaning
- Carpentry
- Smart home upgrades
- Light fixture installation
The handyman service industry in the United States is expected to reach $1.8 billion by 2033, an annual growth rate of 16.5% from 2023.
This figure is impressive but not surprising. After all, homeowners, property managers, and businesses rely on handymen to keep their properties, furniture, and equipment in good condition.
Handyman services can be broken down into two categories: those that are profitable and those that are in demand.
Profitable jobs, like plumbing, HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning), and electrical work, require specialized skills.
In-demand jobs, like fixing a leaky faucet, patching drywall, or replacing a window, pay significantly less but provide a steady stream of work.
Many handymen build credibility and maximize profits by offering both specialized and general maintenance needs.
How Much Can Offering Handyman Services Earn You?
As an independent contractor, you can make anywhere between $20 to upwards of $100 per job, depending on your level of expertise, the complexity of the job, and your location.
Some handymen charge per service (i.e., a leaky faucet for $20, patching drywall for $30, etc.) while others charge per hour.
Company-employed handymen make around $40,000 per hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
But experienced self-employed handymen make a lot more, usually between $50,000 to $100,000 per year after expenses.
Starting a handyman business is dependent on two things: your handyman skills and your business skills.
If you learn how to market your business effectively, you can increase your visibility and attract more clients, which in turn can boost your income.
How Much Does it Cost to Start a Side Hustle Offering Handyman Services?
One of the best things about being a freelance handyman is its low start-up cost. If you already own basic tools and equipment, you’ve essentially cut your expenses in half.
Essential tools for a handyman include hand tools (pliers, screwdrivers, wrenches), power tools (jigsaw, circular saw, drill), measuring equipment, and safety gear.
The cost of these tools can range from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand, depending on the type and quality.
Another expense to consider is transportation. You’ll need a reliable mode of transportation to get to and from job sites.
If you already have a vehicle, you’ll only have to worry about gas expenses.
Perhaps the biggest expense of this side gig is marketing and advertising.
To attract clients, you’ll need to create a professional website, print business cards and fliers, and pay for online advertisements on various sites.
Costs vary depending on your chosen marketing channel but expect to pay no less than $50 a month for advertising your handyman business name.
Where Can You Find Handyman Gigs?
Handyman services are in high demand, so you can find wanted gigs just about anywhere. Here’s where you should start:
As an independent contractor, you can find clients through online marketplaces like TaskRabbit and ThumbTack, where you can create online profiles to showcase your work and apply for available jobs.
Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist are good options too, though they require more proactive efforts to secure clients.
Apart from online marketplaces, you can also find clients by checking local classified ads, community bulletin boards, and neighborhood newsletters for job postings.
Don’t underestimate traditional advertising methods, either.
By distributing fliers, business cards, and brochures in residential neighborhoods and local businesses, you can increase your visibility and reach clients who aren’t actively searching for handyman services online.
Gig Economy Companies That Offer Handyman Gigs
Specialized websites that offer handyman gig worker jobs include Handy, HomeAdvisor, and Homee.
Handy and HomeAdvisor are online marketplaces that specialize in home services.
They allow you to apply as a Handyman and accept jobs that match your skills and availability.
Homee connects you with property management companies looking for maintenance and repair work.
Here are some reasons why you should consider getting a handyman side hustle:
Low startup cost
Compared to other businesses, the startup costs for a handyman’s side hustle are relatively low.
If you’re good with your hands and passionate about DIY, you may already have some of the necessary tools.
High demand
With the right marketing skills and connections, you’ll have no difficulty bringing in work.
There’s a consistent demand for handyman services, as homeowners, businesses, and local communities frequently require maintenance and repairs.
High potential for profit
On average, freelance handyman jobs pay between $20 to upwards of $100, depending on the complexity of the job. The more time-consuming the work, the higher the payout.
Problems With Offering Handyman Services
Before committing to a handyman side gig, consider the following disadvantages:
Requires a fair bit of expertise
As a handyman, you’re required to have a diverse set of skills. Performing unrelated, under-the-table jobs or tasks outside your skill set can negatively affect your reputation.
Physically demanding
Handyman work can sometimes be physically demanding. Some jobs require you to lift heavy objects, climb various spaces, and work in challenging conditions.
If you’re not used to hard labor, this can take a toll on your body.
Jobs can come at short notice
Most of the time, handymen don’t have fixed schedules. Jobs can come on short notice because a homeowner has a task that requires immediate fixing.
This can force you to accept the jobs at odd hours.
What Handyman Job Pays the Most?
Some of the highest-paying handyman jobs include electrical work, plumbing jobs, HVAC-related jobs, and carpentry work.
These jobs require specialized skills, precision, and craftsmanship. An hour’s job can cost upwards of $100.
How Much Should a Handyman Charge Per Hour?
It depends on the type of work you’re doing. For easy tasks such as fixing leaky pipes, changing a light fixture, or assembling furniture, the average hourly fee is $20 to $30.
Complex jobs and large-scale projects involve cost estimates rather than hourly rates, but on average, these tasks can cost more than $70 an hour.