Just tossing around an idea in my lately, with all the remodeling I have been doing.
What sounds best or more professional for General maintenance, light remodel, landscaping, misc…. _____ handyman or home services.
Does anyone run there business as handyman or home services?
Thanks,
Home Services… If your going to be legit. Contractors license..
Handyman: jack of all trades, master of none.
I agree home services. The term “handyman” just seems to have gained a bad stigma which from the few I have known certainly isn’t deserved.
Good size niche in that sector where people don’t necessarily need a full blown contractor but still need to get stuff done without .
Agreed…Home Service seems more reputable.
and don’t forget, the appropriate timeframe answer is always “2 weeks”.
HRG
Yep. After the handyman is done call the pros. You only get to pay three times then.
I agree that “Home Service” sounds more reputable, but it also “sounds” more expensive (even though it’s the same thing).
That may or may not be a bad thing. I’d imagine a more professional sounding name would also draw a higher level of clientele. ($$$)
Just my two cents.
Home repair service ,
How about licensed bonded and insured superduper jack of all trades will get ur job done right for a fair price home improvement services. Lol just remember what happened to the british navy. They opened it up for an online vite to name the ship and now they have have an H.M.S. boatyMcboatface lol
Who wouldn’t want Goerge the handyman from the Stratford In hanging around?
What’s the difference between lables? Markup.
Do you want to only be a handyman? If you want to start as a Handyman and grow your business into something more, don’t call yourself a handyman or home services.
Either way, you need liability insurance and if you perform more than one service you may need a Contractors license. If you pick up work from another business they may require workers comp.
If your doing remodeling now, why be a handyman?
work from another business they may require workers comp.
Just went thru this, there is an exempt form for single owner operators. State does not require it. Grey area, I don’t want to get into, but if you want that form I may be able to find it again. My agent set it up.
I won’t hire anyone who isn’t a licensed contractor, bonded and insured. I also want exactly Zero subcontractors here, so if I hire you, I want you doing my work. You should see the looks I get. Some of these fly by night guys that drive the big fancy trucks with all the left handed graphics, they don’t have a single tool in them. Then they want to give me a bid of 22k for my windows. I ask the question…..are you gonna be here installing each and every window? Bye bye. Everyone wants to be the guy getting paid to sub it out. Not here pal. I had siding estimates from $9k to $24k (family painted instead for $800, my siding is gonna outlast me anyways) …….window estimates from $6k to $22k (bought Renewal by Anderson Windows myself for $5500 and paid a licensed contractor $550 to put them in) from $5500- $8k …..and I could go on.
I have a friend who has a handyman service who has been successful called fix-it now. So don’t necessarily have to have handyman or home services in title. My two cents is with aging population home services in title would serve you better.
I won’t hire anyone who isn’t a licensed contractor, bonded and insured. I also want exactly Zero subcontractors here, so if I hire you, I want you doing my work. You should see the looks I get. Some of these fly by night guys that drive the big fancy trucks with all the left handed graphics, they don’t have a single tool in them. Then they want to give me a bid of 22k for my windows. I ask the question…..are you gonna be here installing each and every window? Bye bye. Everyone wants to be the guy getting paid to sub it out. Not here pal. I had siding estimates from $9k to $24k (family painted instead for $800, my siding is gonna outlast me anyways) …….window estimates from $6k to $22k (bought Renewal by Anderson Windows myself for $5500 and paid a licensed contractor $550 to put them in) from $5500- $8k …..and I could go on.
In MN Contractors are not bonded, the project is. You can have the Contractor bond a project. There are typically 3 types of bonds. As the client you could request a performance bond. That is something you could ask for from the contractor, but ultimately you would pay for it.
Subcontractors, It’s dang near impossible for a GC to perform a project without Subs due to the fact you made need a licensed tradesman to perform a specialized trade. For example, if your have your home sided the siding would need to hire an electrician to remove and re-install the exterior lights and outlets. They would be considered a sub-contractor.
If a licensed contractor has no employees and sub-contracts all work, they are know as a Paper Contractor. There are quite a few of them out there. Some not so good, some very good. I recommend doing your homework when hiring a Contractor.
Unlicensed and uninsured Mr.Handyman hides behind his low prices, the end result provides work for those can do the work properly. Unfortunately the property owner ends up paying twice.
I would suggest to call yourself (insert name) Contracting. Then list home services, remodeling, etc. as your operations.
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>eelpoutguy wrote:</div>
work from another business they may require workers comp.Just went thru this, there is an exempt form for single owner operators. State does not require it. Grey area, I don’t want to get into, but if you want that form I may be able to find it again. My agent set it up.
Nick, you are correct. The state does not require a single owner operator to carry workers comp, but if you were to sub a client (or the GC) may require you to have the it. That’s where you would get the WC “waiver” from your insurance co which states you have WC and if you were to hire someone along the way they are covered.
The reason a client would ask for that is so they wouldn’t be on the hook to possibly pay for WC to there insurance co.
The waiver is about $50 to $75 per year after deposit. The bad thing about this is the Audit performed by the insurance company each year. You better have your I’s dotted and T’s crossed. Trust me on that.
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