| There are a lot of people that believe that in order to | | | | 5. Know thy customer. Research and see what is |
| start a handyman business all you need to do is slap | | | | needed in your community. Do you have a lot of senior |
| some signs on a truck and you're in business. Yes, you | | | | citizens that need help? What about landlords and real |
| can do that, however if you want to be in business for | | | | estate agents? Are their areas with older homes that |
| longer than a few months then you need to follow | | | | will need repairs. It's important that you know who you |
| these 9 steps to starting your business. | | | | are targeting. This information will be used later to put |
| 1. Start with yourself. Evaluate your likes and dislikes | | | | a plan together. |
| and then decide if being self employed is right for you. | | | | 6. Know thy competitor? Why? Because knowing |
| Not everyone is cut out to own their own business. | | | | what your competition does well, what they do not do |
| 2. Decide what you will name your business and how | | | | well, and what services are not being offered will help |
| you will operate your business. For example there are | | | | you in deciding what to offer and possibly how much |
| many forms of businesses, sole proprietor, LLC, | | | | to charge. |
| corporation. You will want to get advice from qualified | | | | 7. Use your research. Take the research you did on |
| account and attorney. Have them help you decide | | | | your customers and competition and use this research |
| which entity is best for you. | | | | to decide what services to offer and what prices to |
| 3. Next you need to look into what insurance you may | | | | charge. |
| need. In some instances your state may dictate that | | | | 8. Get your tools in order. Make sure you have what |
| you have workers compensation insurance. You may | | | | you need to get started. You may need to purchase |
| also need general liability insurance and possibly | | | | some basic supplies like nails, caulk, and screws. Small |
| commercial insurance for your truck. Some | | | | things that you will need to do the jobs you are |
| municipalities may require that you carrying insurance. | | | | offering. |
| Get in touch with a qualified insurance agent to help | | | | 9. Put this into a plan. Write out a business plan. This |
| you. Make sure you know what you need before you | | | | does not need to be complicated. Take what you did |
| start. | | | | above and put it into writing along with what type of |
| 4. Licenses may also be required. The municipality you | | | | advertising you will be doing. Come up with a budget. |
| are working in may require a business license. You | | | | Having a plan will go a long way toward keeping you |
| may need an electrical or plumbing license. Does your | | | | on track and helping you become successful. |
| state require any type of license? It's very important | | | | Follow these 9 steps before you open your doors and |
| that you have these in place before your open your | | | | you will be way ahead of most people who attempt |
| doors. If you do not, you may find yourself in some hot | | | | to start a handyman business. |
| water if you are operating without the proper licenses. | | | | |