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Proven and Profitable Handyman Business Models

7 Profitable Handyman Business Models That Can Replace Your Income

The handyman business is surprisingly versatile.

While many outsiders assume that all handymen businesses are identical, that couldn’t be further from the truth.

Since starting my business over ten years ago, I’ve seen a wide array of business models in this industry and had the opportunity to speak with several handymen who have carved out interesting (and profitable) niches for themselves.

Each model has some unique benefits and, of course, some disadvantages. Some are more profitable. Some are easier to set up. Some require minimal experience. And some of them might even surprise you.

In this article, I’ll provide insight into each business model so you can pick the one that works the best for your goals, skills, and lifestyle.

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HS034 – 7 Profitable Handyman Business Models

#1 – The “Do It All” Handyman

When I say do it all, I mean everything.

I once spoke with a contractor from Atlanta who prides himself on serving all of the customer’s home needs. It doesn’t matter what it is.

Whether it’s plumbing, electrical, bathroom remodels, a leaky faucet, or just mowing the lawn.

His “We do it all” approach aims to provide the customer with the benefit of never having to call another contractor or handyman. That means he keeps them in his little web.

This model often cashes in on bigger jobs like remodels and additions by providing small repairs and maintenance at very little or no charge.

Although this was more common in the past, it’s rare now due to complexity and contracting laws. To pull this business model off legally in most states, you’d need to have dozens of different trade licenses, which would take decades to acquire for a single person.

Of course, many people still do it; they just aren’t following the contracting laws 100%.

Additionally, as homes get more advanced, many improvements require specialized knowledge to offer the highest quality products and services. Since it’s impossible to be an expert at everything, the quality of work will likely suffer with this model.

But there are some advantages. The biggest one is that you’d have to invest far less in marketing because you can stay busy with just a few clients. So if you have an aversion to marketing, this might be a decent model for you.

There’s also a lot of variety in the projects you take on, and you practically become family to those you serve.

However, this model gets a big thumbs down from me. Other than the issues I mentioned, it’s far too complex and challenging to streamline with no added profit advantage.

Plus, if I operated this way, I’d have to offer many services I hate providing to get the jobs I want.

While this can be a profitable and enjoyable way to run a home repair business, it’s not my favorite.

#2 – The To-Do List Handyman

I didn’t know about this unique handyman business model until I interviewed Jim Copenhaver from Chicago. Since, I’ve tried it in my own business with success and have helped many others take this approach.

This model takes advantage of the opportunities created by our overly busy lives.

Busy working parents don’t have the time (or skills) to take care of simple repairs and maintenance, wealthy people simply don’t want to, and the elderly can’t or don’t want to either.

The type of work with this model usually includes hanging pictures, small painting projects, hanging shelves, adjusting doors, furniture assembly, and countless other small things that homeowners don’t get around to.

Since this model only requires basic handyman skills, the barrier of entry is pretty low from a skill perspective. A handy teenager could easily start this type of business.

I’m a big fan of this business model. Even though there are more profitable models out there, this is a low-stress, simple, and reliable way to build a handyman business. It’s also easier on your body than many other models since you are doing a wide variety of small projects instead of repetitive and labor-intensive big projects.

Of course, there are downsides as well. The work is often not very challenging and can be tedious at times. Secondly, while you can make a solid six-figure income doing these types of services, there are more profitable models out there (I’ll talk about those next).

Making this business model work requires just four ingredients:

  • Good customer service and communication
  • Attention to detail
  • Good marketing to attract customers who are willing to pay higher rates for convenience and service.
  • The right pricing model.

#3 The Specialist

Don’t assume that to start a handyman business you have to do everything. In many cases, it can be more profitable to specialize.

For example, you can start a business just mounting TVs. I’ve seen it done many times.

Or a business that just installs trampolines.

Or a business that just focuses on pressure washing.

Of course, there are also the more common specialties like painting, window cleaning, Electrical, or plumbing.

This business model has several advantages:

  • It’s efficient since you only need limited tools, and you’ll tend to get faster the more you do similar projects.
  • It’s much easier to do flat-rate pricing, which can be more profitable than charging based on time.
  • Many people want to hire the best of the best. By specializing, you’ll likely surpass the generalist in skill and knowledge for your specialty.
  • It can be easier to scale and hire employees if that’s your goal.
  • It can be more profitable.

However, this type of business will typically require better marketing skills to stay busy. Since you are only doing a particular service, you will need more customers than a To-Do-List or Do-It-All Handyman since you won’t have as much repeat business. Customers may only need your service once every few years as opposed to the previous two models, where some customers would hire you monthly or even weekly.

I like this business model. If making a lot of money is your primary goal, then this is usually the best model to go with because once you dial in your systems and marketing, you can crank out jobs super fast, optimize your pricing to generate very high income per hour, and implement other strategies for boosting your profits.

#4 The Cherry Picker Handyman

This is the type of handyman business that cherry-picks jobs based on the skill set and interests of the handyman.

It’s a mix between The Specialist, The Do-It-All, and The To-Do-List Handyman, except in this model, you only take on jobs you enjoy or are profitable. You can then recommend other contractors for the jobs you don’t want.

I like this business model because it allows you to enjoy the higher profits of having a specialty service or two while still allowing you to enjoy the security and variety of general home repairs and maintenance.

The key to making this work (as with many of these models) is to have good marketing systems. You want to get to the point where your schedule is booked out several weeks in advance so you can be picky about which jobs and customers you take on.

Additionally, your marketing will help fill your schedule with your most profitable services.

This is an excellent, low-risk way to transition from a general Do-It-All Handyman to a Specialist because you can rely on your repeat customers for security while moving your business in a more profitable direction.

Another benefit is that this business model is enjoyable because of the variety and excitement of growing profits.

The downsides are that this business is not as easily systemized or scaled and is more complex than The Specialist. But it’s important to note that it’s not all about making money. Personally, I’m happy to take a minor hit to my profits for a bit of variety in my day.

#5 The Franchise Handyman

The fifth handyman business model is investing in a handyman business franchise.

If you prefer working in the office and still want to be in the handyman industry, here’s an option for you. You won’t be swinging a hammer, but you can take an established brand and run with it if you’re a good businessman.

This is a higher-risk business to start because of the upfront costs, but handyman business franchises come with all of the business systems in place, plus some training, so you don’t need to figure it out by yourself.

The downside of this model is that it’s expensive. According to this website, you’d need to invest at least $117,000 to get started.

This model gets a big thumbs down from me because I don’t think the cost justifies the value. For fast-food restaurants, I think franchises are great because you get a well-known name, systems, and food that is consistent with what customers expect. With a handyman business franchise, you get the name and the systems, but the name isn’t that powerful. You’ll still need to invest in the same amount of marketing to get it going.

It’s just too easy to set up a business yourself to justify the expense.

In this interview, I discuss franchises with another handyman if you want to learn more about them.

#6 – The Home Maintenance Membership

If none of the other business models were new to you, perhaps this one is.

The Home Maintenance Membership model is when you sell a monthly or quarterly maintenance package for a monthly or quarterly membership. Just like a lawn care company, you would ideally set up automatic billing and scheduling.

Services might include changing air and water filters, changing light bulbs, inspecting fire and carbon monoxide alarms, winterizing irrigation systems, fertilizing lawns, trees, and shrubs, cleaning gutters, and inspecting areas of the house like a roof and crawlspace that aren’t accessed often.

This is perfect for selling to second homeowners or other wealthy clients who want hands-off home maintenance and a bit of peace of mind. Another benefit often offered to members is a discounted rate on repairs and materials.

This can be a great business model because you can lock in a consistent income month to month, there is minimal skill required for most of the tasks, and it would be easy to hire employees to tackle the easy stuff.

The downsides are that unless you are hiring employees, the services may get boring. This model will also usually require more direct face-to-face sales since fewer people are proactively looking for this service. You’d have to sell it to your existing customers. If you don’t like to sell stuff, this wouldn’t work well.

This business is a bit more complex as well. You’d need more sophisticated software to automate customer follow-up, billing, and scheduling. Dealing with membership payments can also get annoying when people fail their payments.

However, if you’re a proactive, systems-based thinker, this is a great model that will increase customer retention and build a consistent income. The inspections you’d perform would often lead to bigger and more lucrative jobs.

#7 The Weekend Warrior

Let’s not forget the part-time handyman business. Maybe you don’t want to leave your cushy job with full benefits until you know you can make enough to support your family and lifestyle.

If that’s the case, then starting a handyman business on the side is a great option. Many homeowners are happy to get their repairs done in the evenings or on the weekends.

The advantages are all pretty evident with this model. The main benefit is minimal risk because you still have your day job to fall back on if things don’t work out.

The only disadvantage is your business growth will be slowed because you won’t have as much time to work on it. But it’s better to get started slowly than not to get started at all!

Final Thoughts

As you can see from these examples, the handyman business is one of the most flexible businesses you can run.

If you only want to work on the weekends, you can. If you get tired of doing certain repairs, you can stop doing them. If you only want to work in a small area within your city, you can do that, too.

If you want to start as a Do-It-All Handyman and transition to a Specialist later and then dabble with memberships, you can do that.

If you want to combine two or more of these business models, why not?

If you want to run your business solo, that works great, but you can also hire employees and scale things up.

Don’t make the mistake of thinking that if you start a handyman business, you will be stuck doing hard labor until you’re 75 (better than working at a desk). You can go in many directions, and if you stay consistent and work smart, profitability is unlimited.

If starting a handyman business is something you are serious about, check out my step-by-step guide to starting a profitable handyman business here. From setting up your business to attracting customers, it will give you all of the information you need to start making money from your home repair skills – starting today.

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  • Randal DeHart November 25, 2015

    Dan,
    This is the best description of Handyman personalities as well as types. I certainly have a lot of respect and admiration for men and women with multiple skills in construction.

    Warm Regards,
    Randal

    • Dan Perry November 26, 2015

      Hey Randal,

      Thanks for stopping by to read this! I hope that you are also getting the respect and admiration you deserve as somebody who has contributed so much to the industry and continues to help us all be more profitable and keep our accounting in line.

  • Douglas. Ybarra November 25, 2015

    Thanks for boost of confidence just got done with kitchen remodle and two bedroom ceilings, took longer than expected.help didnt want to work . I Learned it is not always smart to hire friends but in the end everything turned out. Again thanks!!

    • Dan Perry November 25, 2015

      That’s what it’s all about. Progress over perfection. Good job man.

  • Erik November 25, 2015

    Great blog, Dan. I’m currently finishing up my first year as a handyman. I suppose for a first year it’s been fairly successful but lately I’ve been stressing out a little bit trying to decide which direction to go. Right now I suppose I’m mostly a “To-Do List” handyman, although there are some jobs I turn down because I don’t have enough skills, and others because I don’t like the headaches (such as plumbing). What I’ve been thinking of trying to move toward is a combination “Niche” and “Cherry Picker” handyman. It definitely requires more thought, but it’s nice to see you’ve put into words some of the things I’ve been thinking about. Thank you again for all you do!

    • Dan Perry November 26, 2015

      I think that’s a smart move. I would say everyone, even if you are a generalist, should pick at LEAST one specific service to specialize in. It helps make a name for your business and is a great way to attract customers initially before promoting your full menu of skills. It’s also a good place to maximize profit.

  • Toby December 18, 2015

    Great article Dan, I’m just starting my business, and posts like this really help me gain the confidence I need to succeed and decide which direction to take. I’d also want to thank you for creating the handyman web academy, full of useful information, well worth the money!

    • Dan Perry December 18, 2015

      Thanks Toby! So glad you are making progress in your business!

  • Tobias Frost December 18, 2015

    I am a 17 year old that is finishing my first year of handyman work. I went from 10 per hour to 25 -30 an hour. I do a variety of work but mostly general construction including painting, flooring, roofing, trim, bathroom remodel, and lots of other things. I face some extra challenges because of my young age but I love my job and I am completely independent. My gf Is proud of my job too and that’s always a plus 😉 I do good work and keep happy customers. I work mostly in the country

    • Dan Perry December 19, 2015

      Nice! I wish I would have dove into business when I was a teenager. As long as you keep learning business and avoid getting too comfortable, you will see that hourly rate climb much higher. Good Job, Tobias.

  • Fantastic Handyman London January 22, 2016

    Quite impressive overview of the handyman service schema! It seems handymen around the world handle business pretty much the same way. I might say that you’ve put it quite adequate. To be the ultimate handyman would be more than great, but no matter if it’s maintenance or repairs, the more specialized you are (no matter a local handyman or on demand) the better and more handy your business will perform (at least that’s my humble opinion). People nowadays (or at least when it comes down to London handyman services for sure) simply need to “find a handyman” and I think (ofc, only and only imho) the best approach for a business entity (I underline) is the “do it all” approach, which implies “being a company”. At least for me that’s the best option for commercial handyman services, because I would not want people to remember me as a provider with any sort of limitations, which is once again only my humble opinion.

    cheers!
    Dmitri of Fantastic Handyman

  • Will Schmucker February 14, 2017

    I’ve been enjoying your blog. Last weekend I read a bunch of your articles and it gave me courage to charge an extra thousand for the job. And the customer immediately accepted! So thanks.
    I live in a rural area, (3000 people in the whole county) so it has worked for me to do about anything that comes along. Out here it is just more difficult to specialize. And since there is almost zero oversight by the government, I can do anything I feel like without permits licenses etc. As my reputation has grown, I have started to specialize more though. It definitely makes it easier to bid jobs I do a lot of. I also agree that a few extra profitable specialties are a good idea. I’ve started to do quite a few kitchen and bath remodels, but I also wish I could find a specialty a little like your TV wall mounts, but more applicable to my part of the country.
    Thanks
    Will

    • Shrita May 14, 2018

      Hi Will,
      I was curious to know how do you bid for jobs? Do you have a single point where you can go bid for different jobs in you area of work?

    • Andrew Burgoyne June 29, 2018

      Hi will, I just read your comment from a lost a year and a half ago. Hopefully business has been good for you and may have found a niche by now. If not, might I suggest furniture assembly? I get loads of request for ikea and wayfair products in New Jersey. Would think people in the country also order online products requiring assembly?

  • TITUS MBANDI July 20, 2017

    All you need is skills. No capital needed to start. It is a people business so you have to be good in networking. Electrical repairs, TV installation, CCTV installation and repair services, Appliances and fixes are the core. Good Luck anyway

  • Paul Wright March 28, 2018

    Great overview. I enjoy being a Handyman full time. Its tough to find the right balance of work, pricing, advertising and paperwork.

  • B&B Maintenance April 15, 2019

    i enjoy doing handyman work nights and weekends. That way I can get the company name out there without the stress of wondering if I can make it. Specialize In plumbing and electrical. But also do some remodel work. You’re definitely right the repeat customers is where I make my money

  • Chris December 8, 2019

    Hi Dan, we have recently started out a new handyman service company and came across your article. Really appreciate you taking the time to educate us on this. I would have never thought that there are several handyman business model and we just went ahead with the “Do it All”, and it makes perfect sense. Handyman by no means is an exciting topic to write about, but you did an excellent job keeping it entertaining and not boring. We are also very much interested in your eBook “Turn Your Skills Into Profit”. I think that would be a big help in starting a handyman business, especially the Pricing and Sales Strategies which we are currently struggling with. Thanks a ton, Dan.

    • Dan Perry December 11, 2019

      You’re welcome Chris. However, if pricing and sales are what you need help with, then you want “$100K Handyman Pricing” instead of “Turn Your Skills Into Profit.”

  • Tim Boyer January 18, 2020

    Hey Dan, thanks for the article! . I can do almost any job and most of the trades at a professional level but I often struggle with pricing and not shooting myself in the foot, while not robbing customers. Any tips?

    • Dan Perry January 24, 2020

      Of course! In fact I created an entire program to address this exact issue called $100K Handyman Pricing. I’d highly recommend giving it a shot. You can find it on the products page.

  • Rafael Mendez September 19, 2020

    I feel that I am naturally handy, but I don’t have much experience in any area (plumbing the most), but I always figure a way to get things done. I want to start my business, but i don’t know where to start.

    Thanks

  • Bob Frapples October 27, 2020

    Handymen don’t always need a license or a permit to run their business in their city. Run a handyman business by the book by making sure you ask your city about permit regulations. Great info you have shared here.

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