A handyman is a guy who can fix almost anything around the house, from leaking faucets to faulty air conditioning units. Handymen can be in high demand because they perform a variety of tasks that people don’t have the time or skill to perform for themselves. In some cases, handymen will need to have additional qualifications; for instance, those who wish to work on air conditioning systems will need to be HVAC certified and are familiar with the freon and electrical wiring that allows the unit to function.
Starting a business in Ohio, particularly a handyman business can be rewarding. However, there are a few things to consider when beginning your own handyman business, just as there are when starting any other firm.
Determine whether or not there is a market for your services.
One of the most common mistakes made by handymen is failing to evaluate whether or not there is a market for their services.
Consider this: if you live in a city where a handyman can be found on every corner, you’re likely to face stiff competition for clients. If there isn’t a handyman within the area, on the other hand, you may easily position yourself as the go-to expert for handyman services.
Take a look at what others are doing.
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, so if you are aware of a successful handyman business in the area, attempt to find out what it is about that firm that makes it so successful. Consider it competitive research!
Don’t be afraid to follow in the footsteps of successful handyman firms that have previously mastered the learning curves of beginning a business. Consider the following instances of how you may leverage your competition to shorten your learning curve:
- Examine their websites to learn what services they provide and how much they charge.
- Look them up on the internet to see how they sell themselves and promote their services.
- Grab a drink or a cup of coffee with a local handyman who is prepared to help you out.
Keep an eye out for how many handyman services are available in your neighborhood. If you’re encountering a lot of businesses, go back to the first piece of advice in this article and take a second look. Is starting your own business going to make you sufficient money?
Starting a handyman company in Ohio requires certain special measures. Because regulations change often, you must conduct your own careful investigation. Here are some actions you may need to take (in no particular sequence) to start your handyman business, along with connections to further resources.
Register Your Business Name
If you wish to start a business in Ohio, you will first need to register your handyman company name in Ohio with the Ohio Business Gateway.
More information about registering a fictional name may be found here: Registration of a business name in Ohio (https://tax.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/tax/help-center/resources/tax-education/starting-a-business-step-2).
Choose a business structure
There are a variety of business structures available, including sole proprietorship, limited liability company, partnership, and corporation.
Learn more about business structure here: Business Structure in Ohio – Obtain a business license for your handyman service.
The Ohio Business Gateway (https://ohiobusinessgateway.ohio.gov) contains a wealth of information on starting your own business.
Handyman needs to be aware of their risks and take steps to protect themselves and their businesses. Consider getting insurance for handyman in Ohio. Find out more here.
Open a checking account for your business
You’ll need to create a new bank account for your handyman business under your new company name.
Learn about taxes and consider hiring an accountant.
If you operate a small business, you may wish to file your own taxes. It will get easier to hire an accountant as your business grows. http://www.tax.ohio.gov/Business.aspx and http://www.irs.gov/Businesses/Small-Businesses-&-Self-Employed/Starting-a-Business provide further information on taxes.
Available Business Software
Before you even start, business software will streamline your handyman business by allowing you to see and handle all of your leads, sales, jobs, and tasks from a single platform, putting your firm on the fast track to success.
You’ll also be able to produce estimates, place material orders, and automate the tedious (but important) tasks, giving you and your team the tools they need to complete work on schedule and on budget.
Insure yourself against liability
You should also ensure you have sufficient insurance in place to protect yourself and your business should things not quite go according to plan. Start with liability insurance.
If you have employees, you’ll also need to secure Worker’s Compensation.
Register with the State of Ohio as a contractor
You do not currently need to register your handyman company with the state of Ohio, but you may need to do so in your specific city.
Purchase medical insurance.
As you will be self-employed, you should also consider getting health insurance. If you have workers, you’ll need to consider getting a plan that covers their medical requirements as well.
City Permit
Whether you live in the area or not, you may be needed to get a license to run your handyman service there. To do specific repairs or installations—for instance, air conditioning repairs—you may require certificates or licenses.
Permits
Before beginning some sort of handyman services, you may need to apply for permissions, depending on your location.
Inspection and Building Codes
Building codes for your specific work must be followed, and you may be subject to inspections.
OSHA
You may be required to obey OSHA standards depending on the number of employees you have. http://www.osha.gov