How do I start a Handyman business in Australia?

We’re a nation of DIY lovers here in Australia, but many of us just don’t have the time to put the theory of DIY into practice. Embarking on that home renovation project on your own might sound good in principle, but the reality is that many DIY projects actually require significant time commitments.

Many Australians are finding themselves busier than ever in the aftermath of COVID, so the demand for mobile handyman services has surged across the board. So, for those who have a penchant for DIY and a passion for helping others, starting a handyman business in 2022 could be a highly rewarding option to consider.

So, how to get started? Here are the basics about starting a handyman business in Australia.

What exactly does a handyman do?

A professional handyman offers a wide variety of services, ranging from small home maintenance and repair tasks to sizable home renovations. The broad range of services that handymen offer provides their customers the opportunity to tick off multiple tasks on their to-do lists in the one go.

Some of the most common services that are provided by mobile handymen include:

- Home maintenance–e.g. Gutter cleaning, general maintenance, furniture restoration;
- Home repairs–e.g. Door and window repairs, flooring repairs;
- Tiling–e.g. Repairing or replacing bathroom tiles and kitchen tiles;
- Plastering–e.g. Fixing holes in drywall;
- Carpentry–e.g. Cabinet installation, shelf installation;
- Home installations–e.g. Building an outdoor shed, a carpet, or pergola.

Do I need any qualifications to be a handyman?

In Australia, you don’t need to obtain any special licences or qualifications before you can perform basic handyman tasks. However, it’s not a bad idea to equip yourself with some basic professional qualifications in plumbing or electrical, because having these licences will allow you to complete some more complicated tasks for larger clients.

Some states also have rules relating to the size of the job that an unlicensed handyman is allowed to perform. In New South Wales, all building or home improvement work valued at over $5,000 must be carried out by a licensed tradesperson. In Victoria, that figure climbs up to $10,000. Since the rules vary state by state, it’s wise to contact your state’s relevant authority for some clarity on your licensing obligations before you commit to setting up your business.

Although it’s not essential to obtain a licence in order to start a handyman business, it is absolutely essential to obtain proper insurance cover. Public liability insurance, vehicle insurance, and tools and equipment insurance are some of the most crucial ones.

Are handyman businesses profitable?

Handymen businesses have high profit potential. Handyman services are generally priced by the hour; Hipages estimates that on average, the price per hour for a handyman in 2022 ranges somewhere between $40 to $90. For more standard jobs (e.g. plastering), a flat rate may be offered instead. As such, there’s no reason why a well-run handyman business can’t take in hundreds of dollars a day in sales, with little ongoing overhead.

Handymen businesses operate on a mobile basis, meaning that they travel to their customers instead of operating out of a shopfront. This means that handymen businesses have much higher profit margins compared to traditional retail-based businesses. By eliminating the need to cover rental costs and large utility costs, mobile handymen businesses can operate very successfully under minimal cost pressures. That’s how many of our franchise owners at Jim’s Handyman have been able to scale their businesses from small one-person operations to six-figure businesses with multiple employees.

At Jim’s Group, we also offer all of our franchise owners a unique minimum weekly guarantee of $1,500. Think of this as a security net that’s there to support you–particularly during the early days of your business. However, you might be surprised to know that the vast majority of our franchisees never need to fall back on this guarantee as most of them end up making more than $1,500 from day one!

Handyman businesses for sale

If you love lending a helping hand to others and are looking to start your own business this year, purchasing a Jim’s Handyman franchise is a great option to consider. With plenty of work to go around and plenty of opportunities for ongoing training and professional development, our franchises are primed for success from day one. Get in touch with us on 131 546 or enquire online to discuss next steps.