Ten Handymen Businesses You Can Start This Year

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Heather Jones
Heather Jones
I'm Heather, an author passionate about home improvements. My writing is your guide to making homes better. Let's explore easy ways to enhance your living spaces, from small fixes to exciting projects. Join me on a journey of making your house a cozy and stylish haven.

Every homeowner likely has a long list of to-dos piled up around their home. While household maintenance issues may be trivial when taken individually, a cracked tile in the bathroom and a wobbly stool leg can quickly snowball into a burgeoning upkeep backlog. This issue illustrates clearly why a quality handyman has never been more in demand. It can be remunerative work as well. An established handyman in the right industry can earn up to $3,000 a week. So, what handy niches can any entrepreneur look to get into for themselves in 2022? 

Some of the most intriguing options for those looking to get into the handyman business are repair or refurbishment, such as furniture, appliances, and windows. Installation of carpet, tile and sprinkler systems are also popular. Of course, painting and home organization are always options as well. The key to finding a successful niche is doing something you are good at and finding clients to help grow your handyman empire.

Of course, there is much more to consider than just the above. (You can always choose to be as specialized or general of a laborer as you please.) So, if getting into handyman work sounds intriguing, read on as we hammer out the details on every handyman niche you need to know about starting this year.

How to Choose Between the Best Startup Handymen Businesses of 2022?

Below you’ll find ten of the most popular options for those looking to take on handyman work either on the side or as their own business. What niche will be right for you will rely on a few factors. This can include considerations such as your level of experience, how many handymen offer similar services in your area, what clientele you want to target, and how much time and energy you want to commit to starting a business.

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For example, if you have limited time and notice that competition for niches is fierce, look for an underreported job type. By filling this need and working in a niche that won’t require a lot of time or specialized equipment, you can ensure a reasonable return on your time and investment.

No Matter Your Home Improvement Niche, Be Sure to Protect Your Business

And it should go without saying that having the right insurance coverage can make all the difference in such a risky industry. Besides being a regulatory necessity, good insurance is also essential for business protection. For example, a typical policy for a handyman business may include standard general liability coverage and workers’ compensation, as well as coverage for items such as work vehicles and tools.

Remember, there are a variety of factors that can impact insurance costs. This can include aspects like the location of your business, how many employees you have (if any), past claims history, the specific type of work you do, and what limits the policy may have.

Plumbing

There will always be a need for experts to repair and maintain pipes and water flow, meaning that being a plumber offers a certain degree of security. Plumbing is a career with a lot of variety and advancement opportunities because it is a licensed and regulated trade. As a plumber with the right ambition, you can choose to go into business for yourself if you prefer to work more independently. However, as with any handyman trade, there is inherent risk involved, as is the need for business protection. It is important for plumbers stay up to date on safety protocols and have the proper insurance coverage. 

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Furniture Refurbishing

Many are attracted to furniture refurbishing for its relative simplicity and the sense of accomplishment that can come from restoring a quality piece of furniture. However, what this entails will depend mainly on your customer base and the work they require.

It could include anything from staining and refinishing a dining room table to welding a leg back onto a chair. One of the most lucrative types of restoration can be caning, or wickerwork, something that can take practice to excel at—but which can pay upwards of $60 an hour for skilled practitioners. 

Sprinkler System Installation

Believe it or not, you don’t need an advanced engineering degree from MIT to install sprinkler systems these days. Rudimentary math skills and hand tools can be all you need to help homeowners install a watering system. Keep in mind that in colder climates, this work is highly seasonal.

Window Washing and Repair

Never underestimate the number of homeowners who are loathed to climb a ladder for any reason, let alone to futz around with their second-floor windows. If you have no such qualms, consider window washing or repair as a handyman business. This is an inexpensive enterprise to start, and it requires minimal advanced skills to complete.

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Basement Finishing

If you live in an area where basements are a common household feature, rehabbing, replacing, or finishing basement space is likely an in-demand trade. While this work will require more time, equipment, and effort than many on this list, it is also one of the most remunerative. However, be sure to keep in mind that such projects are rarely a one-person job—and thus will likely require additional laborers.

House Painting

It doesn’t get more basic than painting work. And besides being simple to master, painting can also be inexpensive work. Besides protective equipment and brushes, the most significant expense is usually paint (which the customer pays for). More advanced work will require more skill, time, and tools. Yet, more intricate jobs will command a higher pay rate. 

Appliance Repair

Entire enterprises used to be based around servicing consumer appliances such as radios and TVs. These days, if something breaks, it most likely will be thrown away. However, that isn’t always true. Major appliances such as refrigerators, stoves, dishwashers, and laundry machines are still a sizable enough investment that most homeowners would rather repair than replace them every time an issue crops up. If this sounds good to you, consider getting into appliance repair by inquiring about technician opportunities with a major manufacturer.

Household Organization

Do you have a knack for an organization that would make even Marie Kondo jealous? Consider helping others with their home organization projects. This can include anything from tidying up a garage or attic to making sure everything in the kid’s playroom can truly be put away. 

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And don’t worry if you’re more likely to hammer your thumb than a nail. This is one handyman business even the least handy can handle. All it requires is an analytical mind, a thorough plan, and a minimal amount of physical effort.

Carpet Installation

The barrier to entry into carpet installation is relatively low. The key is finding a reliable carpeting provider so that the best products and quality can be passed on to customers at fair prices. Other than that, make sure to measure twice and cut once to avoid expensive mistakes!

Bathtub Reglazing

Bathtub reglazing is a profitable niche for anyone who takes the time to master the process. While it will require a sizable workshop if you will be reglazing tubs off-site, if working at a customer’s home, the need for space and extra equipment is much more limited. The process isn’t overly complex, though it takes some practice to reglaze flawlessly. It is more the cost of materials than equipment that needs to be considered.

Tile Installation

Finally, we have tiling. This specialty is a lot like carpet installation. In fact, many home flooring professionals will eventually expand their offerings to both. So, which to start with? Tile installation can be more exact for those with minimal flooring experience. For example, tiles may need to be cut precisely to ensure proper installation. If that sounds intimidating, perhaps go with carpeting as a niche.

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