6 Handyman Business Success Stories [2023]
A handyman business covers a wide range of home repair and maintenance services, making it an easy entry into the industry.
You can start with minimal resources, and by providing valuable assistance to customers, you'll quickly establish yourself as a trusted professional in the field.
To start a handyman business on a budget, identify your skills and the services you can offer confidently.
Then, create a basic business plan outlining your services, target market, and pricing.
Next, obtain any necessary licenses or permits, and invest in basic tools and equipment.
Finally, promote your services through word of mouth, local advertising, and online platforms to attract customers and gradually grow your handyman business.
Here are some real life success stories of starting a handyman business:
1. Dundas Valley Pools ($96K/year)
Dan Stewart, the founder of Dundas Valley Pools, came up with the idea for his business while working part-time at a pool company. He saw an opportunity to provide personalized, on-site pool services in Southern Ontario, and after gaining experience and knowledge in the industry, he decided to start his own business. Since its inception in 2016, Dundas Valley Pools has grown to service over 350 pools and earn an average of $8,000 per month in net revenue during the on-season.
How much they make: $96K/year
Where they're located: Hamilton, ON, Canada
Current team size: 1
Learn how a third generation business owner started a profitable pool service and installation business in Southern Ontario, earning an average of $8000/month net revenue during peak season and growing from servicing 0 to 350+ pools since May 2016 by doing things that don't scale, such as manually talking to customers and focusing on the ideal customer.
2. Patriot Chimney ($252K/year)
The founders of Patriot Chimney came up with the idea to provide transparent and trustworthy chimney and dryer vent services after noticing shady practices at their previous employer. With $212,000 in revenue generated in their first year and a successful sales and marketing strategy, they have been able to provide their services to over 350 homes in the Roanoke Valley region.
How much they make: $252K/year
Where they're located: Blue Ridge, Georgia, USA
Current team size: 5
Patriot Chimney, a Virginia-based chimney repair company founded by three friends, generated over $212,000 in its first year of operation, using a mix of digital and in-person marketing and customer retention strategies, and plans to expand its business and customer base with new initiatives including an online store and non-profit organization.
Learn more about starting a handyman business:
Where to start?
-> How to start a handyman business?
-> How much does it cost to start a handyman business?
-> Pros and cons of a handyman business
Need inspiration?
-> Examples of established handyman business
-> Marketing ideas for a handyman business
-> Handyman business slogans
-> Handyman business names
-> Handyman business Instagram bios
Other resources
-> Blog post ideas for a handyman business
-> Handyman business calculator
3. Go Green Cleaning & Maintenance Services ($360K/year)
Nicholas Ciano, founder of Go Green Cleaning & Maintenance, started his exterior home cleaning company after working in the industry for a few years. Realizing he could contribute a lot to the industry and wanting to focus on environmentally responsible and customer service-based services, he combined what he liked about his previous employer's business with his own ideas. With a small advertising budget and a truck, he started the business and has since grown it to generate an average of $20,000/month.
How much they make: $360K/year
Where they're located: Walnut Creek, California, USA
How much did it cost to start: $50K
Current team size: 3
Aiming to be environmentally responsible and customer-focused, Nicholas Ciano's exterior home cleaning company averaged around $20,000/month after incorporating all the aspects he liked with a previous employer, so he set out to do it better with a small advertising budget and a truck, offeringspecials and discounts for first-time customers as well as offering a 100% satisfaction guarantee with all services.
4. Fixer ($19.2M/year)
How much they make: $19.2M/year
Where they're located: Chicago, IL, USA
Current team size: 46
Fixer, a handyman service co-founded by former GrubHub COO Mike Evans, has completed nearly 25,000 jobs so far in Dallas and Chicago, offering skilled career paths for both men and women in the building trades.
Hey! 👋 I'm Pat Walls, the founder of Starter Story.
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