In 2022, more than 1.6 million people had jobs performing general maintenance and repairs, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That’s a lot of competition. To stand out in this field, you need to prove that your skills are the right fit for prospective clients. That’s what a handyman services list is for.
Those interested in using your services can see at a glance what you provide and how much it will cost.
This guide covers how to make a list of the general handyman services you offer. You’ll also see why making this list is so important to succeed as a professional handyman.
What Does a Handyman Do?
Handyman is an industry term for someone who performs general repair and maintenance tasks. But in reality, both men and women work in this industry. Data shows that 93.4% of workers in this profession are male, which means 6.6% are women.
A handyman’s job is to make fixes that property owners request. This includes many different kinds of tasks, with the most requested handyman services usually focused on aesthetic improvements or minor repairs.
Homeowner spending on property repairs and improvements is rising in the U.S. Research shows that Americans actually spent more than $420 billion on these services in 2020.
This trend is part of a do-it-for-me culture. It’s replacing the old DIY ethic, where people tried to handle home renovation jobs on their own.
A handyman services list is, as the name suggests, a list of services that you can provide. It’s like a summary of all the work you’re qualified and licensed to do. Potential customers can then check the list to see if you offer the service they seek.
Include all the jobs you’re willing to do for customers. And be specific where you can. If you can do some electrical work but couldn’t rewire a whole house, put “light electrical work” on the list.
By making the scope of your work clear, you can set clear expectations with customers. You’ll also avoid talking to customers interested in projects you can’t complete for them. That saves both parties time.
Creating a list of your services has many benefits. Here are some of the biggest advantages it offers:
Creates a pricing strategy. You can choose to list the prices of handyman jobs on your list. This gives you time to carefully consider what you need to charge to make a profit after business expenses. Customers will also know what to expect. They won’t face unpleasant surprises when they receive your invoice.
Builds transparency and trust. Customers will trust you more if they know you have a clear understanding of what you’re capable of. They can feel confident knowing you’re skilled at a task if it’s on your list.
Provides quotes to clients. You can refer to your list when quoting jobs. This makes the process simple and efficient. After you finish the job, you can make sure to include each of these items on the receipt.
Start a marketing plan. Your handyman services list can be part of your marketing. Send it to potential customers to share with others and post it on social media platforms like Facebook or TikTok.
Offers easy online booking. Let’s say you have a list of your services with prices on your website. You can set up a page that allows customers to request appointments online. They can specify which items on your list they want you to complete, and they’ll already have an estimate of what it costs.
Looks professional. You can design your list to look attractive and match the rest of your branding. This shows customers that you’re serious about your business and the work you do.
The 15 Most Requested Handyman Services to Add to Your List
You should add handyman services to your list that you’re comfortable completing. However, it’s also helpful to include popular services to get more business. Here are some top services property owners hire handymen for that you could include on your list.
1. Exterior and Interior Painting
From taping off rooms to priming to using special techniques like spray applications, painting requires many skills. And many homeowners hire people to paint their rooms or houses. You can also offer services painting other things, like fences or furniture.
2. Carpentry
Built-ins and trim work make a home beautiful. If you do these types of finishing work, include them on your list. You can also specify other carpentry tasks you do. Common examples include installing kitchen cabinets or adding pet doors.
3. Drywall Repair and Maintenance
Drywall finishing is a special task that’s hard to get right. Homeowners with holes in the wall or nail pops may need a drywall expert. Many people also want to remove old wallpaper and need help fixing the wall finish, which you can offer as a service.
4. Minor Electrical Work
Some simple residential electrical jobs don’t need a special license or training. Examples include installing security cameras and equipment or updating smoke detectors.
Fences can be damaged by weather events or accidents. They can also simply get old and need fixing. Offer to help homeowners build or install decorative fences. You can also help fix broken gates or repair broken panels or posts under this list item.
6. Plumbing
From clogged toilets to dripping sinks, a lot can go wrong with a home’s plumbing. Specialized licensed plumbers cost a pretty penny, so many homeowners may want to work with a handyman for simple jobs.
7. Smart Home Upgrades
Smart home technology is getting more and more accessible. But many people aren’t comfortable setting up all the devices on their own. Offer a service installing things like video doorbells or remote thermostats.
8. Senior Home Modifications
Many seniors are choosing to age at home, and they may need help modifying their homes to do that. You could offer services that install accessibility aids like stair lifts or grab bars in the shower.
9. Babyproofing
When a new baby comes home, many parents don’t have time to tackle the task of making a house safe. Babyproofing services install things like baby gates or cabinet latches that keep curious children from harm.
10. Window Covering
Blinds and curtains can be challenging to install. Your handyman service list could include things like handing shutters or installing curtain rods to provide privacy and light control.
11. Door Repairing
Doors may need to be replaced or repaired. Or homeowners may want to switch out dated hardware. Repairing entry and interior doors is an in-demand task to consider adding to your list.
12. Tiling
New tiles can put a fresh face on a room. But pouring grout and keeping things lined up can be tough for an amateur. If you have the skills to do so, consider offering to replace or install tile.
13. Furniture Assembly
Much of the furniture homeowners buy today is ready-to-assemble. Unfortunately, homeowners may not have the tools, skills, or time to assemble it. This is a great service to offer. You can also help with IKEA hacks, a major industry in which people modify IKEA products to make them look built-in or more expensive.
14. Small Appliances Installation
Appliances are no longer built to last and often need frequent replacement. If you can, offer to repair or install small ones such as under-counter refrigerators or built-in microwaves.
15. Pressure washing
Pressure washing is important for pavers and patios. If you have a pressure washer, this skill should definitely be on your list.
5 Pro Tips for Making a General Handyman Services List
If you’re ready to make your list, here are some pro tips to make sure it’s perfect.
Learn your state’s licensing requirements. Some states require special licenses for certain kinds of work. This often includes electrical and plumbing work. If you don’t have a license, don’t offer services that must be provided only by licensed contractors.
Choose a target audience. You should know who your customer base is and tailor your list to them. If you primarily work with young families, you might list baby proofing and carpentry to feature prominently on your list instead of senior home modifications.
Cover basic services. You want as many potential customers as possible to see the jobs they’re looking for on your list. But you don’t want to be passed over for the most in-demand work, which is usually the most straightforward tasks. Include the basics on your list.
Build an online presence. Many people look for a handyman online. Build a website and put your list on it to make sure people can find you through search engines.
Network with other local businesses. Working with other companies helps you get more customers. Those businesses can pass out your list to clients who might be in need of your services.
Win more clients on the spot with quick and professional estimates
A handyman services list makes estimating jobs easy. So does Joist.
You can create and share estimates in just minutes with our easy-to-use mobile estimating tool. Packed with powerful features built for contractors, including Deposits, Markups, Contracts, and Photos, Joist is ideal for handymen who want a leg up in the industry.
Take Your Business to the Next Level Introducing Joist Pro Elite: Our most powerful set of estimating and invoicing tools. Contractors and Remodelers everywhere: get ready to maximize your invoicing potential! After months of designing, building and polishing, we’re thrilled to finally release our newest solution: Joist Pro Elite. Whether you’re trying Joist for the first time or upgrading from another Joist product, you’ll have access to an arsenal of highly effective features built to help you win more jobs, save more time and get paid faster. Here’s what you can take advantage of in our latest product release: Change Orders As a major component of the Joist Pro Elite release, we’re introducing Change Orders! Now, you can stay on top of project scope changes without the piles of paperwork. With Change Orders, you can instantly send change orders to customers for on-the-spot review and signing. In doing so, you reduce the back and forth between you and your customer and prevent payment disputes from arising. Plus, you and your client will have peace of mind knowing documents are approved before any work continues. Sections While Joist and Joist Pro make your estimates paperless, Joist Pro Elite will make them attractive. With Sections, you can organize your bids in a way that works best for you and your customer. Currently available on Android devices only, Sections let users group their line items into easy to understand buckets like labor or materials. In presenting your estimates with a more professional look and feel, you’ll help your clients visualize where and how the work will be done. A strong understanding of their project scope also makes it easier for your customer to sign a contract, ultimately winning you more jobs in the long run. Sales Reporting Joist Pro Elite takes the guesswork out of running your business with Sales Reporting. Users that set goals or targets can now opt-in to receive weekly emailed reports and better track their progress over time. With added visibility into company performance, you can gain valuable insights into your business that can be leveraged to improve processes. By upgrading to Joist Pro Elite, you unlock the power of business data and get a leg up on the competition. License and Insurance We know you worked hard for your credentials; your customers should know it too! With our new License and Insurance features, users can showcase their professionalism by adding their credentials to estimates from an IOS or Android device. Including proof of qualification will not only increase trust with potential clients, but also give assurance to current customers that they’re working with a pro. Web and Social Links Accessible from an IOS or Android device, Web and Social links allow you to show off previous work or customer reviews directly from your estimates or invoices. The added transparency will impress your prospective clients, while also showing customers that you stand by your work and reputation. Whether you link to your website, yelp page, or social media, harnessing the power of social proof will win you more jobs and land you bigger clients. We hope you’re as excited about Joist Pro Elite as we are! With features designed to help you win more jobs, save time and maximize efficiencies, Joist Pro Elite helps contractors reach their full potential. Make the sky the limit for your business and get started with Joist Pro Elite today!
Tips & Shortcuts for working with your iPhone/iPad in the field Congratulations, you’ve started using your iPhone/iPad in your contractor business to work in the field. Here are a few tips and tricks to maximize the effectiveness of using these devices. Shake to “undo”Have you ever accidentally erased a note on your device? Or crucial information about a client? Here’s the perfect tip to get that information back. To “undo” your last action (when typing) simply “shake” your iPhone (yes you make look funny). A popup message will appear with the options “Undo” or “Cancel” tap undo, and you will get all of your information back. Tap to bring to topIf you’ve ever read a really long page perhaps on your safari browser or you’ve scrolled a long way down the screen in an app. Rather than having to scroll slowly back to the top of the screen you can tap the black bar on the absolute top of your iOS screen where it displays the current time. This will auto-scroll the page back up to the top. This is particularly useful on screen such as your address book or in iPod. Take screenshotsThis is another great tip. To take a photo of what is currently on your iOS screen, place one finger on the home button of your device and another on the button at the top-right. Simultaneously tap the two buttons and the screen will briefly flash capturing a photo. If you go to “photos” the image will be saved there. Swipe through open apps with 4 fingers (iPad)Do you find it annoying to consistently close an app you’re in then open up another to navigate through multiple apps? One trick is when working on your iPad you can swipe from left or to the right with four fingers to swipe through your open apps. Making it quicker and more enjoyable when working on two apps at the same time. Close apps with 4 fingersAnother gesture that can save you time is easily getting back to the home screen of your iPad from the current app you are working in. To do this place 4 fingers on the screen and make a pinching motion. The App will close and you will be lead back to the home screen. So there you have it, 5 quick tips to makes things easier for you when using your iPhone and iPad in your business. The new Apples iOS 7 is coming out soon, so look out for new shortcuts and tricks coming soon. If you’re an Android fan, we’ll have an article for you soon. And a version of Contractor Estimating & Invoicing Tool — by Joist! Sign up here for the Android waiting list: Joist for Android waiting list
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