Handyman & Property Maintenance Service

General repairs, furniture assembly, decorating touch-ups and small jobs for homeowners and landlords.

Every street has a list of small jobs too minor for specialist trades - and landlords need reliable maintenance cover. Typical offers: hourly rates with a minimum charge, day rates for bigger jobs, and monthly landlord maintenance retainers. A broad but honest skill list wins trust; refer gas, electrical and structural work to qualified trades. Photos of before-and-after work drive local word of mouth fast. Gross margin figures are planning estimates of revenue minus direct costs (materials, travel and per-job expenses); they exclude the owner's own labour time.

Steps

  1. Register and insure: Week 1. Register as a sole trader and arrange public liability insurance.
  2. Set the price list: Week 1. Benchmark hourly, half-day and day rates against local listings.
  3. Take first jobs: Weeks 1-2. Platform profiles plus leaflets in two or three postcodes.
  4. Win landlord retainers: Month 2. Pitch monthly maintenance cover to landlords and letting agents.

Risks

  • Rate ceiling: Customers compare handyman rates closely.
  • Scope creep: Jobs expand - quote clearly and refer regulated work out.
  • Travel time: Short jobs mean travel eats the day.

Costs

  • Tools — Cordless drill and driver, hand tools, ladders contribution and fixings stock — 400 GBP
  • Insurance — Public liability at entry level — 200 GBP
  • Marketing — Leaflets, local groups and Google Business Profile — 150 GBP
  • Platform profile — MyBuilder/Checkatrade profile fees and first-job travel — 100 GBP

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