There is no denying that service businesses are needed more than ever today. It seems everyone is busier than ever with extended workdays, multiple family responsibilities, and other demands on their time. Families of all sizes want to enjoy their free time as they see fit, and for many that means choosing leisure time over the stress of the endless household maintenance tasks required to keep a home running smoothly. Yet most people still want order and functionality, and they recognize the need to keep their homes and property in good working order. The answer for many busy people today is to turn to a handyman to get the job done.

      This book is written for anyone who would like to take advantage of the growing need for handyman services and turn it into a viable business. It is also written for those who are thinking of working as a handyman part time, perhaps to earn some extra income or simply to enjoy helping others do those things they cannot or do not want to do themselves. The book is premised on you, the reader, having some skills and experience in solving household maintenance problems. By adding a few professional techniques and a business strategy offered in this book, you will be well on your way to starting and running a successful, independent handyman business.

      Operating your own business requires self-motivation, perseverance, discipline, and common sense. It also requires some business knowledge, and that’s where this book can be of particular help.

      It offers advice on starting up — from registering a business name to customer service considerations to choosing the right equipment. You add the ingredients of your skills and knowledge and your desire to succeed.

      Being a handyman can be full of adventure. It brings you in touch with many kinds of people and their homes. It lets you be a problem solver, a creative thinker, and a valuable person to have around. And who wouldn’t find satisfaction in being such a person?

      We bring to this book our personal experiences and successes. As a working couple with two small children, we know the demands of family life and home ownership. And we have personal experience in both business and handyman work.

      Kevin has been a handyman for more than 20 years, offering a wide range of services. He has helped his long-term customers through several home renovations and family changes. Kevin’s work experience started early. At the age of 12, he helped on the farm close to his home. He developed a wide range of skills and gradually gained confidence as he learned new ones. As a teenager, Kevin worked at the Pioneer Museum Village in Greenwood, Ontario, providing maintenance services. He specifically learned about the upkeep and maintenance required for historic buildings. After leaving high school, he worked with his father in the family business doing home renovations, painting, and other handyman jobs. During this time he learned to think on his feet, and he became well known for his problem-solving skills. His father had a knack for knowing how to fix anything, and he taught Kevin everything he knew. Kevin carries on the family business today.

      Sarah has provided the business background to this book. She assists Kevin in his business by organizing the home office, doing the taxes, and taking care of advertising. She also works full time in the municipal government. Sarah, Kevin, and their children share a 100-year-old home that has been under some form of renovation for more than ten years.

      The handyman business has been good to us. As an independent businessman, Kevin can make decisions about how much time he works, how much he is paid, and what kind of work he wants to take on. He is also able to make a good living by helping people improve their homes.

      Now we both want to pass on what we have learned. If your goal is to turn your ability to help others improve their homes and lives into a business that also serves you, then this book is for you. To achieve your goal, think and plan carefully. The principles of running a successful handyman business are the same as those needed for running any other enterprise: good judgment and a willingness to work hard. You can reach all your goals if you stay creative, keep learning, and believe in yourself.

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      The Handyman Business: An Opportunity Waiting for You