How Do I Become A Handyman?

If you have ever considered becoming a handyman, you might be unsure where to get started with your career. The good news is that becoming a handyman is fairly simple. In this article, we’re going to cover the basics of becoming a handyman and starting your own handyman service.

How To Become A Handyman In 5 Steps

1. Get Experience Or Training

Many handymen start working for construction companies or performing trades such as plumbing, carpentry, and electrical. However, you can still become a handyman even if you don’t have much experience. If you have the passion to learn these skills, they can be acquired over time. Many of the duties of a handymen include basic tasks like hanging shelves, cleaning gutters, or painting. In today’s digital world, most of this information is readily available online through video tutorials and other educational sources.

There are some official certifications that handymen can get to permit them to perform more complex tasks. The two most common certifications are Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician and Certificate III in Plumbing.

2. Licensing

Being a handyman doesn’t require any type of licensing from the state or territory since many of the activities are basic home repairs. However, there are thresholds where a contractor’s license is required. For example, in Queensland, jobs that exceed $3,000 (for labour and materials) must be handled by someone with a contractor’s license. Be sure to research the laws in your area to avoid any business disruptions or fines.

3. Setting Up The Business

Next, you’ll need to properly set up your business. At a minimum, handymen businesses should have an ABN (Australian Business Number). This is free to obtain and will be used for tax and record purposes. You should also consider registering your business name through ASIC.

A handyman business requires very little beyond tools, however, you should have basic marketing materials in place to give your business a professional appearance and help with securing clients. These items could include business cards, flyers, or a simple website.

Finally, handymen should make sure they have the proper insurance cover to protect them in the event that they cause injury or damage to their client or their property. Public & products liability insurance is a common policy held by handymen.

Check out this article we wrote on the 10 steps to start a business in Australia for more information about getting your handyman business started.

4. Finding Clients

Most handymen are great at performing repairs or servicing their clients. However, a big part of running a handyman business is finding new clients. If you aren’t able to sell your services, you may struggle to maintain a steady flow of income.

A good way to get started is by offering to perform work for friends and family in exchange for referrals. As you increase your experience and build a good reputation, you’ll get more and more clients from word of mouth. There are also a few places you can advertise your handymen services in Australia to help you get more clients.

5. Perfecting Your Craft And Specialisation

Over time, you’ll receive lots of requests for tasks that you have never done before. Use these opportunities to pick up new skills that can be applied to future jobs and make you more marketable. While having a solid general knowledge of handyman work is great, some professionals choose to specialise in certain trades or projects (for example, laying tile). Specialising and becoming an expert can help you charge higher rates.

Eliminate Your Risk While Working As A Handyman

Unfortunately, things can go wrong when performing work for your clients. A tripping hazard could cause someone to fall and get injured or perhaps spilled paint could ruin an expensive piece of furniture. The best protection from these types of accidents is by carrying Public & Products Liability Insurance. Check out our instant quote generator where you can get an estimate on market-leading insurance for handymen in seconds! Simply enter your occupation and expected revenue to get started. When you're done, head over to our range of articles for handymen, all written to help you start and grow your handyman business.