Starting New Handyman and Home Renovation Business

Green Bay, Wisconsin
Contractors
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Starting New Handyman and Home Renovation Business

Marc Kenyon
Investor · WI · Member since 2022 · 13 posts · 7 votes

Good afternoon BP community! After about a year of dipping my toes into real estate investing (purchased one duplex, renovated one half and listing it for MTR while LTR the other unit), I'm strongly contemplating starting up my own Handyman and Home Renovation Business serving Central Wisconsin. 

Our niche will primarily be serving real estate investors and agents and their clients by doing handyman jobs for fixing up rentals, getting a property ready for sale, addressing inspection findings either before or after a sale, and renovating kitchens, baths or whatever for anyone that wants some quality work done.

A little about me: I've 25+ years of experience with home construction - not as a contractor, but as an 'old-timey' kind of guy who knows how to fix things. In addition to helping my handyman grandfather when I was younger, my wife and I have completed four live-in flips over the years. I spent a couple years while in the military on a team to renovate the building my unit was using (25,000 sq.ft. building with offices, restrooms, etc.). I've helped numerous friends with their home renovation projects, from concrete to decks, to windows, siding, roofing; the list goes on. And unlike work (which IS a four-letter word) at my W-2 job, I genuinely enjoy building and fixing things. I also like helping people. 

Just posting today to get my name out there and see if the BP community has any advice on servicing this niche. 

Do you think it's a tenable idea? 

How would I build a clientele? 

What are potential pitfalls? 

How to market quality over quantity?

How would you start up a business like this?

Anyway, thanks for reading and offering any advice. I'm interested to see where this conversation goes.

Cheers

1Reply
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Most Popular Reply

Marcus Auerbach
Investor · Milwaukee - Mequon, WI · Member since 2010 · 5k+ posts · 7k+ votes
2y
Quote from @Marc Kenyon:

Good afternoon BP community! After about a year of dipping my toes into real estate investing (purchased one duplex, renovated one half and listing it for MTR while LTR the other unit), I'm strongly contemplating starting up my own Handyman and Home Renovation Business serving Central Wisconsin. 

Our niche will primarily be serving real estate investors and agents and their clients by doing handyman jobs for fixing up rentals, getting a property ready for sale, addressing inspection findings either before or after a sale, and renovating kitchens, baths or whatever for anyone that wants some quality work done.

A little about me: I've 25+ years of experience with home construction - not as a contractor, but as an 'old-timey' kind of guy who knows how to fix things. In addition to helping my handyman grandfather when I was younger, my wife and I have completed four live-in flips over the years. I spent a couple years while in the military on a team to renovate the building my unit was using (25,000 sq.ft. building with offices, restrooms, etc.). I've helped numerous friends with their home renovation projects, from concrete to decks, to windows, siding, roofing; the list goes on. And unlike work (which IS a four-letter word) at my W-2 job, I genuinely enjoy building and fixing things. I also like helping people. 

Just posting today to get my name out there and see if the BP community has any advice on servicing this niche. 

Do you think it's a tenable idea? 

How would I build a clientele? 

What are potential pitfalls? 

How to market quality over quantity?

How would you start up a business like this?

Anyway, thanks for reading and offering any advice. I'm interested to see where this conversation goes.

Cheers


Great idea! The market needs more contractors, does not matter if handyman or licensed. I would keep it simple, start a FB business page, post pictures of ever job or task completed along with how to contact you. Also post on FB groups for contractors, landlords and investors. This will get you calls from both investors and also homeowners. Keep your rates reasonable, always follow through, communicate well, treat everyone fair. Word of mouth will spread if you work hard and deliver what you promise. Many contractors do not, many slack at the last 10% or leave the job a mess. Your reputation is EVERYTHING (just like it is for us agents)! You'll do great!

2Reply
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  • Tom Fidrych
    Member since 2020 · 241 posts · 179 votes
    2y

    I'd start by ensuring you have the proper licensing and insurance for the type of work you will perform. Once you are licensed and insured, reach out to some property management companies. If your work is good, you will be as busy as you want to be. 

    0Reply
  • Marc Kenyon
    OP
    Investor · WI · Member since 2022 · 13 posts · 7 votes
    2y
    Quote from @Tom Fidrych:

    I'd start by ensuring you have the proper licensing and insurance for the type of work you will perform. Once you are licensed and insured, reach out to some property management companies. If your work is good, you will be as busy as you want to be. 


     Thanks Tom. Great point. I've already started the required steps for getting the license and am open to ideas for good insurance companies for this type of work. 

    0Reply
  • Account Closed
    New to Real Estate · Ålesund, Norway · Member since 2023 · 3 posts · 0 votes
    2y

    Hello, @Marc Kenyon. I am quite new to the real estate investing field, and the same goes for the BP community. I'll mention right away that I'm only 18 years old, so my advice might have limitations, but let's address your questions:

    Do you think it's a tenable idea?
    It is a tenable idea, because there is demand out there for property maintenence and renovation services. In addition you already have "25 years+ experience" in home construction and a passion to fixing things and this could be top-notch service. As well as you know how to do different types of renovation projects such as "concrete to decks, to widows, siding, roofing...etc" this is versatility, compared to other contractors that only focus on one field, this could the investors benefit from.

    How would I build a clientele? and How to market quality over quantity?
    There is multiple ways to build a clientele, such as the BG community where you can find real estate investors, agents and their clients. You can also focus on networking with local real estate investors, by meeting them face to face at in real life webinars or just join local Facebook groups or connecting with people at LinkedIn. For example in the facebook groups you can showcase your work through before and after pictures and even get testimonial proofs from your friends. My bonus tip is to market your work on platforms such as Instagram or TikTok so the potential clients would connect with you without paying for leads.

    What are potential pitfalls?
    There is an endless of answer to this question, but I will probably guess inconsistent demand where you will get a period with a lot of work to do and another period with almost nothing to do. Competition with local contractors where you have to compete ensuring the quality work.

    How would you start up a business like this?
    I live in Norway so I dont know the rules, but I will try to guess how it would be the same process in the US as well short and simple. I would first off all register my business through "Brønnøysundregistrene" (The Brønnøysund Registers, formally the Register Unit in Brønnøysund, is a Norwegian state agency subordinate to the Ministry of Trade and Fisheries that runs many of the country's most important registers - Wikipedia) and I would also guess that we will not need a trade licence for home renovation business (but this depends on what your working with, for example if your performing electrical maintenance or electrical installation you need to have a electrician licence to do this). After the registration of your business you will also need insurance (this is not a must, but its recommended I will assume in this type of business)

    If you have more questions, I will gladly answer them 

    0Reply
  • Marcus Auerbach
    Investor · Milwaukee - Mequon, WI · Member since 2010 · 5k+ posts · 7k+ votes
    2y
    Quote from @Marc Kenyon:

    Good afternoon BP community! After about a year of dipping my toes into real estate investing (purchased one duplex, renovated one half and listing it for MTR while LTR the other unit), I'm strongly contemplating starting up my own Handyman and Home Renovation Business serving Central Wisconsin. 

    Our niche will primarily be serving real estate investors and agents and their clients by doing handyman jobs for fixing up rentals, getting a property ready for sale, addressing inspection findings either before or after a sale, and renovating kitchens, baths or whatever for anyone that wants some quality work done.

    A little about me: I've 25+ years of experience with home construction - not as a contractor, but as an 'old-timey' kind of guy who knows how to fix things. In addition to helping my handyman grandfather when I was younger, my wife and I have completed four live-in flips over the years. I spent a couple years while in the military on a team to renovate the building my unit was using (25,000 sq.ft. building with offices, restrooms, etc.). I've helped numerous friends with their home renovation projects, from concrete to decks, to windows, siding, roofing; the list goes on. And unlike work (which IS a four-letter word) at my W-2 job, I genuinely enjoy building and fixing things. I also like helping people. 

    Just posting today to get my name out there and see if the BP community has any advice on servicing this niche. 

    Do you think it's a tenable idea? 

    How would I build a clientele? 

    What are potential pitfalls? 

    How to market quality over quantity?

    How would you start up a business like this?

    Anyway, thanks for reading and offering any advice. I'm interested to see where this conversation goes.

    Cheers


    Great idea! The market needs more contractors, does not matter if handyman or licensed. I would keep it simple, start a FB business page, post pictures of ever job or task completed along with how to contact you. Also post on FB groups for contractors, landlords and investors. This will get you calls from both investors and also homeowners. Keep your rates reasonable, always follow through, communicate well, treat everyone fair. Word of mouth will spread if you work hard and deliver what you promise. Many contractors do not, many slack at the last 10% or leave the job a mess. Your reputation is EVERYTHING (just like it is for us agents)! You'll do great!

    2Reply
  • Philip CookPro Member
    Investor · Stevens Point, WI · Member since 2020 · 91 posts · 52 votes
    2y

    Are you planning on covering the Stevens Point area? There is a huge need for people to do what you're talking about. Simply returning calls and not being booked out 9 months plus will keep you busier than you want to be. As others stated, finishing jobs with a quality product will make your reputation spread quickly.

    0Reply
  • Bonnie LowPro Member
    Lender · Asheville, NC · Member since 2016 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    2y

    It's definitely an important service. Every host needs at least a great cleaner and a great handyman on their team. Most communities have a short term rental facebook page for owners so I'd put your name out there and make some connections. If you're able to make a few great connections word will spread quickly. I have found all my team members and all the trades we've used - from roofing to bat removal! - through referrals.

    [email protected]
    0Reply
  • Alecia LovelessPro Member
    Member since 2019 · 3k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    2y

    @Marc Kenyon Simply by returning your phone calls in a timely manner you will likely have more business than you will know what to do with if you do good quality work.

    My contractor is so busy I’d love to have someone else he approved of to do some little things he didn’t have time to do around my own home but other people are either booked out over a year in advance or do such shoddy work you wouldn’t want to hire them.

    0Reply
  • Marc Kenyon
    OP
    Investor · WI · Member since 2022 · 13 posts · 7 votes
    2y

    @Account Closed - great points and I really appreciate your support in this endeavor. There are some REIA meetups locally, so I'll definitely plug into those. I'm not sure about TikTok, but maybe my kids can help me out with that.

    @Marcus Auerbach - Facebook and follow-through. Great advice - thank you!

    0Reply
  • Marc Kenyon
    OP
    Investor · WI · Member since 2022 · 13 posts · 7 votes
    2y
    Quote from @Philip Cook:

    Are you planning on covering the Stevens Point area? There is a huge need for people to do what you're talking about. Simply returning calls and not being booked out 9 months plus will keep you busier than you want to be. As others stated, finishing jobs with a quality product will make your reputation spread quickly.

    Yes Phil - Stevens Point area and essentially a 1 hour drive from there would be my service area (Wausau, Waupaca, New London, Wisconsin Rapids, etc). Some of my REI friends have noticed this trend of busy contractors and not returning phone calls. Conversations I've had with them helped me build this idea. And thanks for your support!

    1Reply
  • Matthew Paul
    Severna Park, MD · Member since 2013 · 7k+ posts · 7k+ votes
    2y

    The better money is working for homeowners 

    0Reply
  • Jason Bilbrey
    Investor · Stevens Point, WI · Member since 2018 · 89 posts · 25 votes
    2y
    Quote from @Marc Kenyon:

    Good afternoon BP community! After about a year of dipping my toes into real estate investing (purchased one duplex, renovated one half and listing it for MTR while LTR the other unit), I'm strongly contemplating starting up my own Handyman and Home Renovation Business serving Central Wisconsin. 

    Our niche will primarily be serving real estate investors and agents and their clients by doing handyman jobs for fixing up rentals, getting a property ready for sale, addressing inspection findings either before or after a sale, and renovating kitchens, baths or whatever for anyone that wants some quality work done.

    A little about me: I've 25+ years of experience with home construction - not as a contractor, but as an 'old-timey' kind of guy who knows how to fix things. In addition to helping my handyman grandfather when I was younger, my wife and I have completed four live-in flips over the years. I spent a couple years while in the military on a team to renovate the building my unit was using (25,000 sq.ft. building with offices, restrooms, etc.). I've helped numerous friends with their home renovation projects, from concrete to decks, to windows, siding, roofing; the list goes on. And unlike work (which IS a four-letter word) at my W-2 job, I genuinely enjoy building and fixing things. I also like helping people. 

    Just posting today to get my name out there and see if the BP community has any advice on servicing this niche. 

    Do you think it's a tenable idea? 

    How would I build a clientele? 

    What are potential pitfalls? 

    How to market quality over quantity?

    How would you start up a business like this?

    Anyway, thanks for reading and offering any advice. I'm interested to see where this conversation goes.

    Cheers

    Very viable and needed in Stevens Point area. 
    0Reply
  • Marc Kenyon
    OP
    Investor · WI · Member since 2022 · 13 posts · 7 votes
    2y
    Quote from @Matthew Paul:

    The better money is working for homeowners 


    Thanks for commenting Matthew. I'm curious why you say this. I believe your perspective, I'm just wanting to learn from your experiences what led you to this conclusion. Is it that homeowners are willing to pay more, or that there are simply more homeowners and thus it's a matter of scale, or is it something else? I appreciate you making time to comment. - Cheers

    0Reply
  • Matthew Paul
    Severna Park, MD · Member since 2013 · 7k+ posts · 7k+ votes
    2y
    Quote from @Marc Kenyon:
    Quote from @Matthew Paul:

    The better money is working for homeowners 


    Thanks for commenting Matthew. I'm curious why you say this. I believe your perspective, I'm just wanting to learn from your experiences what led you to this conclusion. Is it that homeowners are willing to pay more, or that there are simply more homeowners and thus it's a matter of scale, or is it something else? I appreciate you making time to comment. - Cheers


     Good contractors are hard to find , the boomers are aging and the millenials dont have a clue how to use tools . There is more work out there than you could handle . Homeowners dont try to nickle and dime you as much as investors do . Investors are trying to line their pocket , homeowners want things done right and are willing to pay . And yes there are more homeowners .

    0Reply
  • Marc Kenyon
    OP
    Investor · WI · Member since 2022 · 13 posts · 7 votes
    2y

    Thanks @Matthew Paul. 

    0Reply
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