[THUNDERLORD]

I've decided to launch a Handyman business as soon as the weather breaks.
Just gearing up for it as far as tools and supplies.

I've been practicing on relatives stuff getting ready and practicing dealing with customers...
Here are some of the services I will offer:
Painting (exterior): Garage doors, trim and windows,
Metal railings painted,
Pressure washing: concrete walkways,
Stain/sealing for wood decks and fences,
Interior painting,
Drywall,
Any electrical needs (my friend is out of work electrician),
Junk removal, car removal,
moving etc.
I don't have a liscense or insurance, but at this point I don't give a [edit: F-word].

Any fellow theopians have any advice or want to share ideas on this type stuff ???
(edit): I have a bunch of ideas and info on this!

[aetherguy881]

Car removal is it's own business. I would be careful to how many things you offer. Try to keep it centralized to household handywork.

[THUNDERLORD]

Car removal is it's own business. I would be careful to how many things you offer. Try to keep it centralized to household handywork.

Thanks, I was thinking that one because my van I was planning on using went bad,
Landlord told me it had to go from in front,
So I looked into having it towed but not enough $$$ offered .
So I found tow dollies for $45 + insurance and + tax =$62 at U-haul (the others only rent them with truck rental)...

Best scrap price is if I deliver it to one they'll pay $8 per LB. (EDIT: OOps, I meant per 100LB.) ...
Title has empty weight of 3400 something,
I got to remove the battery which I just got,
Cut either six 1" holes in gas tank or three 2" by 15" slashes in tank (FUN FUN FUN),
And remove the wheels when they lift it up on a crane at the lot, (which is good too because my tires are brand new and rims are alloy alum.)

That comes to like atleast $274 minus the tow dolley rental and gas.
It could be an OK hustle if the cars to be removed will roll on a tow dolley...
Course a guy offered me $200 for it as is so I said OK, he still hasn't gotten it though.

(IDK hopefully someone will find all that useful info to look into)

As for the business, it was strange I found an ad for a seminar coming up soon with info on small business liscense AND insurance info, types and companies will be there.
I plan to go, So hopefully more about that soon!!!

A friend made me a flyer on thier Apple that came out good,
I didn't list any prices and thought it was a good idea not to on the flyer(?),
But the weather went below 50 F that whole next week (and since) so the flyer isn't useable yet.

Like your advice, I plan on a package with pressure washing concrete walkway and painting the iron railings,
And maybe house numbers re-done on the wood plaques.
Maybe one with re-caulking and painting around garage doors, and trim painted ,
forgot to mention asphalt driveway sealing...
I've been meaning to check into sealing concrete after pressure washing it (Any good???)

(pretty awesome, my target area is the age this type stuff is needed for the first time, plus many townhouses so I'm hoping the neighbors of one will see the need for thiers done too! )

I do the railings with a brush and rustoleum black ... Been wondering about the cheap basic spray guns (any good for doors and railings?)

BTW, the Home Depot that's nearest me is very helpfull when I ask them stuff.
I like the Behr brand paints there the best...I used to absolutely hate painting but It's all about patience and having good new supplies, Oh and being able to fix mistakes too.

Oh, I'm trying to avoid hieghts on ladders although I'm comfortable on ladders what do you think?
Thanks!
EDIT: BTW, Cool link 2010 census jobs www.2010censusjobs.gov 1800-861-2010

[aetherguy881]

I'm not afraid of heights either, however it depends on what I'm on. I only get edgy when I'm on a ladder changing our peak lights at our house. Some times we get the random bat or yellow jacket nest up in the vent, it's more the surprise factor while I'm up there (about 20-30').

[THUNDERLORD]

That's something to watch out for!

Well, just an update,
I took a job in a restaurant (cook work), and found out they offer benefits.
I was planning on saving up for tools,
and with the hours (evening/nighttime) hopefully I'll do Handyman business in the daytime before I go in.
With health benefits, no worry about heights etc. too!

I was thinking of the census thing I linked to (above) until spring,
but I've gotten sort of a rap sheet of stupid little charges,


Out of time for now

EDIT: The seminar I mentioned is soon,
I still plan to go and report whatever I learn here!
Oh, also, been doing some caulking indoors, I use the GE silicone in white and paintable.
Seems to be more runny than other caulking(?)
Found a trick to put a long nail in the tip and wrap duct-tape around it for reuse otherwise it's one time use and $6+ per tube.

[THUNDERLORD]

Just an update,
The weather has lifted.
But I never made it to the seminar for license and insurance info.
I procrastinated since I found out they have one every two weeks.
I will have to attend one soon since I have jobs starting to line up.

Been working on a short flyer that takes up exactly half a typing paper.
And someone even offered me a Yellow Pages ad for about 13$ per month.

But I might have too much work by word of mouth advertising alone!
Part of that is a lot of outdoor stuff calls for checking if rain is forecast for the next 24hr.s after job.
Perhaps I could still advertise and pick up the [*guys] who work for too cheap (reason I need my own company in the first place) , or get a commision to give the work to other companies.
Once again though I will need license so if I step on another companies toes(competition) they can't call and report me.

I stain-sealed a deck with"Behr premium- natural #500" second time I've used it, works great.
I built a funny looking "ghetto" or "red-neck" ladder out of a few dollars lumber, but I'm missing my camera cable for now.

I am adding a new service of driveway sealing and maybe garage floor painting. (tough winter with the salt/sand).

More later.

[THUNDERLORD]

...(EDITED FOR "RAGING")
I JUST SPENT ABOUT 1 AND HALF HOUR POSTING A GREAT HOW-TO RELATED THREAD AND WHEN I HIT SUBMIT THE "LOG-IN " SCREEN
...!!!
WTF?

[paaiyan]

Did you try hitting the "Back" button? Usually brings me right back to the page with all my text still saved.

EDIT: Matter of fact, I just tested it. I posted this post, went to the confirmation page, then clicked log out. After being redirected to the home page where it confirmed I was logged out I just hit back until I got back to the page where I was composing this post, and all my text was still there.

Then again, I use Firefox. If you're using IE you might just be hosed.

[aetherguy881]

Chill man. One thing you can do is copy every so often if you're making a large post.

Also, the raging doesn't help your case. I'd also have to agree with paaiyan on this one, what browser are you using?

[THUNDERLORD]

Yeah, I tried everything (carefully),
But it was zapped.
I was on I.E.

Dang that was frustrating since I didn't have any notes or anything.
It was a how-to on Deck Stain-Sealing with tool/supply list,
technique, bunch of info etc. that I spent over two hours on...
(it was raining so seemed like a good time waster activity)

I've learned to copy the post or reply when it's long,
but there seemed like no reason to in this case.

Thanks for the replies.

[aetherguy881]

No problem man, I hate to see a good member get peev'd when something screws up.

[paaiyan]

Firefox wins. You should use it. Dump IE, it will eat your soul.