Getting started in handyman / odd jobs
Steps to go from handy-with-tools to your first paying handyman client.
- 1
Check your state's contractor licensing threshold
Most states let you do general handyman work unlicensed up to a certain job-value threshold (varies widely, e.g. $500-$1,000+), above which you need a licensed contractor — know your state's line before you quote a bigger job.
- 2
Get general liability insurance
Covers you if a repair goes wrong and damages a client's home — many clients and property managers won't hire an uninsured handyman for anything beyond the smallest job.
- 3
Stock a core tool kit and a reliable vehicle
Invest in quality hand and power tools you'll use across most jobs first, and make sure you have a vehicle that can haul a ladder, tool bags, and bulky materials.
- 4
Set your hourly rate, minimum, and a short flat-rate menu
Price an hourly rate with a minimum service-call fee for unpredictable jobs, and a flat-rate list for your most common, predictable tasks (TV mounting, furniture assembly, faucet swaps).
- 5
Build a simple quoting and payment process
Use a quoting/invoicing tool so every job has a written estimate and you can collect payment on-site instead of mailing invoices.
- 6
Get your first jobs and reviews
Start with friends, family, and a Nextdoor/Facebook neighborhood post, set up a free Google Business Profile, and ask every satisfied client for a Google review — reviews matter more for handymen than almost any other solo service since homeowners are letting a stranger into their house.