Handyman

What Does a Handyman Do?

Start by registering your business with local bureaus and getting insurance. Then, consider marketing your services in your community by posting flyers or distributing business cards at local businesses and events. You can also make a name for yourself by offering fair rates. Learn how to calculate your break-even point to ensure you’re charging enough to cover expenses while remaining competitive.

HandymanHandyman Naperville IL has many skills and can perform many tasks. They often work freelance and are self-employed, though some may find employment with construction or repair service firms. Others work as in-house maintenance professionals for commercial or residential complexes. Still others might work with a service agency that takes calls from homeowners or businesses in need of assistance and assigns them to a handyman.

Some states require that Handymen have a license to work in their field, while others do not. In any case, it is recommended that Handymen obtain a general business insurance policy to cover their work and protect themselves from liability claims or property damage. It is also recommended that they have individual specialty insurance policies to cover specific types of projects or equipment.

Handyman services are often provided on an as-needed basis, so the setting where they work can vary greatly. For example, some might travel between multiple home or business locations every day while others might remain at one facility where they perform various tasks on a maintenance schedule.

A common role for a Handyman is to put together furniture when someone moves into a new home or office. They can also be hired to paint trim or complete other smaller carpentry projects. Many Handymen can provide basic electrical work, but any more intricate work should be completed by licensed electricians.

Another type of work a Handyman might do is check or install smart home devices such as thermostats and doorbells. These can be complicated to install and sometimes require specific knowledge of the product brand. A Handyman who is certified to install these devices can help make the process much easier and faster for the homeowner or business owner.

There are a number of ways for people to become Handymen, including vocational school programs that specialize in a single trade or apprenticeships with more experienced professionals. Some Handymen will volunteer for construction and renovation projects on their own to develop and expand their skill set. Others will acquire a license to work as a plumber or electrician and then transition into a Handyman role when they are ready to move on.

General Repair & Maintenance

Generally, handymen work on smaller projects that don’t require specialty skills or a license to perform. This could include anything from decluttering basements to assembling furniture. Other common tasks are fixing leaky faucets or gutters, patching drywall, and general carpentry. Some handymen are self employed or contractors, while others work for maintenance companies or apartment complexes. Some even work for government or community entities. Whether working as an independent contractor or on staff, a handyman typically assesses the project at hand, makes recommendations for approaches, quotes a cost for materials and labor, secures said materials, performs the job and cleans up any messes.

Many homeowners hire handymen to put together furniture after purchasing it, or for larger pieces that need to be assembled. For example, a bed or desk can be difficult to assemble without the proper instructions. Handymen are great for this sort of project, and can also be called to help move furniture around a room when it’s being redecorated.

Flooring is another common service handymen provide, and this includes carpeting, tiling, and vinyl tile installation. When installing tile, a handyman has to measure the space correctly to ensure that tiles fit properly and aren’t left in crooked layouts. They may also need to seal non-vitreous (water absorbing) tiles to prevent them from getting soaked with moisture over time.

A handyman can also refinish hardwood floors, or patch and repair damaged wood surfaces. They might also be able to replace worn or broken carpeting. It’s important to note that a handyman can only do so much, and they may need to recommend a professional contractor or plumber for more involved work.

Handymen can also install smart home devices like doorbells, thermostats and more, if they’re certified to do so. If the job requires specialized knowledge of home electrical systems, a licensed electrician should be hired.

It’s also worth noting that a contractor must have a license to perform most construction-related jobs. A contractor usually oversees large projects, and works with other specialists like plumbers, electricians, and carpenters to get the job done. They may be licensed by the state to construct new buildings, or they might specialize in certain kinds of renovations and repairs.

Plumbing

Plumbing involves any system that conveys fluids for a variety of applications. It is usually regulated by building codes and ordinances to ensure safety and quality of life for the public. Plumbing can include sanitary drainage systems, potable water systems and stormwater drainage systems. Those who work in the plumbing trade often work as contractors or subcontractors for large construction projects and may be responsible for coordinating and completing renovations and repairs to existing plumbing systems.

Professional plumbers have extensive knowledge of a range of tools and can fix many different types of plumbing problems. Handymen, on the other hand, are generally only able to provide minor plumbing services, such as leakage repair or drain clog fixing. If a problem is more severe, such as a broken pipe or sewer backup, it will need to be addressed by a professional plumber. These professionals are also trained to use modern plumbing equipment and appliances to speed up their job completion time.