Are you considering turning your handyman skills into a profitable business, but you’re worried about the initial costs of getting set up and the demands of managing the day-to-day operations that come with running a company? Thankfully, new technologies are designed to save you time and let you focus on what you do best. Here are some tips that will help you turn your dreams of owning your own business into a reality:

Setting Up Your Business

Once you’ve decided on what services you want to offer, create a business plan outlining the legal structure of your new company and its management, estimate how much money it will take to launch your company, and do some financial forecasting to see where you’ll be in a few years. This great ZenBusiness start a business guide offers detailed information on what to include in your business plan and why each component is critical. 

As part of your business plan, you’ll need to decide on which legal entity you’ll want to operate your company under. A limited liability company, or LLC, is a safe choice for most new entrepreneurs. This structure protects your personal assets from being involved in any lawsuits your company may face in the future, and you’ll enjoy tax benefits as well. If you don’t know how to start an LLC in Rhode Island, as is the case with most people who aren’t trained in business law, it’s best to work with a formation agency that will make sure all of your paperwork is filed correctly.

If you need to find investors or partners to get you started (for example, if you need financial help for buying equipment and supplies, getting a truck, renting a space for your workshop, or anything else you need to have right away), having your business plan in hand will certainly help with getting funded, as it will show your business’s potential for growth. Additionally, check with your state contractor board and see what kind of permits and licenses you need in order to be compliant, so you can avoid any legal issues once you start getting paid for your services. 

Getting the Tools You Need

We’re not just talking about what’s in your tool belt or toolbox here: we’re talking about online tools that will help you run your business smoothly and effectively. Gone are the days when giving a client an estimate would take several days and a lot of back and forth, wasting precious time that you could have spent on more productive endeavors. The use of a construction estimating app that lets you create, measure, and finalize your plans quickly and accurately lets you avoid this. Since it’s portable, you can take your estimator on the job you’re quoting and enter all the details directly into it. No need to go back to the office and pull out your calculator: construction cost estimating software does it all for you, from adding the costs of materials and labor to calculating taxes. Thanks to this awesome tool, you’ll never have to wonder if you’re underbidding or overbidding when you’re quoting a project.  

Looking for Clients

If you’ve been working for people in your family or your neighborhood, helping at your church or community center, or just fixing up your own home, start building a portfolio of your projects and take before-and-after pictures that showcase your skills. Then, create a website that will serve as a virtual calling card for your professional services. Make sure your contact information is clearly displayed, and to get even more engagement, think about starting a blog where you can share tips and tricks of the trade with your followers. 

Join your local chamber of commerce and network with other entrepreneurs in your area, ask for referrals, and don’t forget to give out business cards with your services listed. After completing a job, don’t hesitate to ask your clients to post an honest review of your work online, and share it on your social media channels to increase exposure and establish yourself as a real professional.

As a handyman, starting your own business will allow you the flexibility to pick and choose your projects, make your own hours, and earn the money you deserve. Establish yourself as a professional, and start prospecting for clients both online and in your community. The latest digital tools and apps will help you optimize your processes and operations.

Build your business with the help of fantastic resources provided by the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce. Join us today!