Anna B Posted October 27, 2011 Share Posted October 27, 2011 If there are any suitably skilled unemployed out there looking to set up their own business can I suggest becoming an all purpose Handyman (or woman.) From people I've talked to, there seems to be a real need for someone who is prepared to take on all those little jobs that never get done. Old people especially need this service. The price has to be right of course, as old people don't have much money to spare, but when you can't even stand on a chair to change a lightbulb, help is needed. The workmen around charge too much in my opinion, whereas someone with a good reliable reputation who gets personal referals and charges a reasonable rate would I'm sure be able to make a good living from lots of little jobs. What do you think? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0742Sheff Posted October 27, 2011 Share Posted October 27, 2011 I think you might be expecting too much for too little. You would need to define little jobs. If it is something as simple as changing a lightbulb, then fair enough, a standard call out charge should suffice. However, if you start talking about leaking radiators, shorting out sockets etc. Then you are moving away from a handyman, on to someone who is fully qualified, with insurance and all the right tools to do the job. I don't drive so i do not know how much it costs in fuel to get from one side of the city and back so i will not guess. On top of that cost you would need to add the cost of public liability insurance (even for the most simple task), tax and national insurance, before getting to how much the handyman will earn from doing the job. I would be surprised if a handyman could do any job for less than £15 without losing money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grafikhaus74 Posted October 27, 2011 Share Posted October 27, 2011 I've used several people from this forum for 'odd jobs'. One or two were brilliant, the rest were garbage. That's the trouble with 'odd jobs'. Most 'handymen' will just take on any job, regardless of whether they've done anything similar before. And make a ****-up out of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murphy Jnr Posted October 27, 2011 Share Posted October 27, 2011 I've used several people from this forum for 'odd jobs'. One or two were brilliant, the rest were garbage. That's the trouble with 'odd jobs'. Most 'handymen' will just take on any job, regardless of whether they've done anything similar before. And make a ****-up out of it. That's pretty much the definition of 'handy' though, no real qualification or expertise in any field just around to do the work, like a husband Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woggle Posted October 27, 2011 Share Posted October 27, 2011 Ive had them off here before, "Jack of all trades Master of non", rough work. They are putting real tradesmen out of business. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OOmpa Posted October 27, 2011 Share Posted October 27, 2011 Yes there are too many of these so called 'handymen' about already and most are useless so please don't go advertising for more:help: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murphy Jnr Posted October 27, 2011 Share Posted October 27, 2011 Ive had them off here "before, Jack of all trades Master of non", rough work. They are putting real tradesmen out of business. It could be argued that we are putting tradesmen/women out of business by employing handymen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mecky Posted October 27, 2011 Share Posted October 27, 2011 If there are any suitably skilled unemployed out there looking to set up their own business can I suggest becoming an all purpose Handyman (or woman.) From people I've talked to, there seems to be a real need for someone who is prepared to take on all those little jobs that never get done. Old people especially need this service. The price has to be right of course, as old people don't have much money to spare, but when you can't even stand on a chair to change a lightbulb, help is needed. The workmen around charge too much in my opinion, whereas someone with a good reliable reputation who gets personal referals and charges a reasonable rate would I'm sure be able to make a good living from lots of little jobs. What do you think? Great business that isn't it? You remind me of that little Hitler women who's getting money off the government to help bully people back into work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murphy Jnr Posted October 27, 2011 Share Posted October 27, 2011 The business idea itself is already in operation in many places, particularly where there is a high number of elderly. The idea being that different trades can be contacted via a central office. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna B Posted October 27, 2011 Author Share Posted October 27, 2011 Interesting responses, thankyou. I didn't mean to offend qualified tradesmen or poach their terratory. I also take your point about insurance etc. What prompted me was an elderly aunt who phones her son in Leicester to come over to do simple jobs (like change a lightbulb) and was charged £80 to replace a bit of skirting board. That seemed a lot to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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