Almost by definition, handymen (and handywomen) are valuable people to have around. They have a diverse skillset which means they can be called upon in a range of circumstances. If you build a reputation, then you can rely on the business of just a handful of clients.

Before you make a start working as a handyman, however, there are a few things worth bearing in mind.

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What does a handyman do?

A handyman is a tradesperson with expertise in a broad range of areas. They don’t tend to charge as much as a specialist for the same job, and they might not have the qualifications necessary to legally carry out more complex problems. But most jobs don’t require specialist expertise, and in these cases, a handyman can be enormously useful.

How much does a handyman earn?

A handyman can expect to pick up around 30k per annum. This varies considerably, depending on your level of experience, and the location you’re working in. London-based handymen can expect to earn more than their counterparts in the countryside.

Do I need to be qualified?

There’s no legal requirement that people advertising themselves as handymen undergo any formal training. Unless you’re doing a specific task, like rewiring a house or rerouting a gas pipe, you’re not compelled by law to undergo any particular training.

With that said, you might be able to earn more as a handyman by undergoing training in a few particular niches. This will improve the quality of your work, allow you to more easily collaborate with other tradespeople, and get clients coming back for more.

Cost

When formulating your business plan, you should be sure that you’ve accounted for all of the costs you’ll need to deal with. These include transport and equipment. To work as a handyman, you’ll need a varied toolkit, including essential items like hammers, drills, screwdrivers and the like. Higher quality tools, like Milwaukee drill drivers, will ensure that you’re able to work to a higher standard, and more efficiently, too. They’ll also mean that you don’t spend more on replacements.

Insurance

When you work as a handyman, you’re exposed to certain kinds of financial risk. You can seek to minimise some of these by implementing the right working practices. If you wear appropriate protective equipment, for example, then you’re less likely to be forced out of work by an injury.

Insurance will offer you cover against financial damage. You should look to cover not only yourself, but your liability to the public. You don’t want to find that you’re not covered in the event that you should be involved in an accident, and a member of the public be harmed as a consequence.