Becoming a self-employed handyman can turn your skills into a job that pays \u2013 plus, you can enjoy all the benefits of working for yourself.<\/p>\n\n
Ready to take the leap and become a self-employed handyman in the UK? Read on for our comprehensive how-to guide.<\/p>\n\n
If you’re starting from scratch, you might be wondering what handymen do. Handymen have varied work lives, and no two days are the same.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Your responsibilities will differ depending on whether you\u2019re working in domestic or business environments, but some of your key responsibilities are likely to include:<\/p>\n\n
Handymen who work as employees can generally expect to earn between \u00a318,000 and \u00a325,000 a year. However, as a self-employed handyman you\u2019ll set your own rates. The going hourly rate for this kind of work varies widely.<\/p>\n\n
PayScale places the average hourly rate for a handyman at around \u00a310. Yet Skilled Handyman, for example, charges \u00a365 plus VAT an hour, and Handyman Hero’s services cost \u00a350 for the first hour and \u00a340 for any subsequent hours.<\/p>\n\n
As a self-employed worker, you\u2019ll also have more options for career progression. For example, you might choose to specialise in a specific area, and set up a business offering those services \u2013 perfecting a niche can be a good way to win clients and repeat business. Eventually, you might take on employees as your business expands.<\/p>\n\n
So, now you know what a handyman\u2019s job entails and how much a handyman earns, you may be ready to take the leap and start out on your own.<\/p>\n\n
There\u2019s no formal training required to be a handyman, although there are some training courses that you might choose to do to get yourself up to speed. City & Guilds, BTEC, and NVQ qualifications in related fields are all available.<\/p>\n\n
Whether or not you have formal training, you\u2019ll need a wide range of skills, and these will vary depending on the environments you work in. For example, you may need different skills if you\u2019re working in domestic as opposed to industrial settings. You should have some basic electrical skills, and some familiarity with minor plumbing jobs. You\u2019ll also need to be handy with a paintbrush and roller.<\/p>\n\n
Importantly, you\u2019ll need to be physically strong, as handyman jobs generally require a relatively high degree of physical exertion.<\/p>\n\n
Again, the supplies and equipment you\u2019ll need as a handyman will vary depending on the type of work you\u2019re doing. However, the following should get you off to a good start:<\/p>\n\n
As a self-employed person, you have a number of legal requirements you should sort before you start trading. It’s likely that you’ll start out as a sole trader, but you can read about choosing a legal structure for your business<\/a> here.<\/p>\n\n You\u2019ll need to register as self-employed with HMRC<\/a>. You\u2019ll need to file your tax return and pay your bill according to the UK tax deadlines<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n It\u2019s important that you budget for your tax bill, remembering the annual payment on account<\/a> too. Read what to do if you can\u2019t pay your tax bill<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n It\u2019s also important that handymen think about insurance. No matter how careful you are, mistakes can happen \u2013 and one mistake can be financially devastating. Tailored insurance can help make sure you\u2019re protected.<\/p>\n\n Simply Business offers insurance tailored specifically to handymen. It’s quick and easy to purchase your policy, combining the covers you need for your business. Compare handyman insurance quotes today<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n Now that you\u2019re all set up, it\u2019s time to find some customers! You can start local \u2013 this could be as simple as putting up cards in nearby shops, but you could also think about advertising in local publications.<\/p>\n\n Digital marketing is becoming increasingly important for all tradesmen, including handymen. There\u2019s a range of sites where you can list yourself and bid for jobs in your local area, perhaps the best-known of which is Rated People.<\/p>\n\n You could also set up your own website<\/a> to help promote your business.<\/p>\n\n We\u2019ve compiled a complete guide to online marketing for tradesmen<\/a> to get you started.<\/p>\n\n Hopefully you’re all set to start your handyman business \u2013 let us know how you get on in the comments below.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n4. Get insured<\/h3>\n\n
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5. Find customers for your handyman business<\/h3>\n\n