The concept of becoming a handyman as a legitimate business opportunity is a fairly recent one. Previously, different companies specialised in different services and people had to employ plumbers, electricians and painter-decorators separately depending on their needs.
In these difficult economic times, more and more people from all walks of life with a little background knowledge or interest in these different trades are choosing to set up their own handyman businesses, and anyone with the knowhow and the right attitude to take on such a customer-facing role may well prosper. However, before you launch yourself into your first job, it is advisable to do a little preparatory research and planning and invest in the some basic plumbing and electrical equipment as well as some professional decorating tools.
It is wise to decide on what sort of business you want to run early on. You can always expand your service later, but to begin with it helps to set boundaries and make it clear to potential customers what jobs you are able to carry out. It might also be prudent to draw up a list of prices when you are making a business plan to ensure your venture will be a financially lucrative one.
There is no specific training required to label yourself a handyman. However, if you want to reassure clients and offer a wider range of services, it might be worth investigating some of the relevant regulatory bodies and considering whether it would be beneficial to register with them.
Finally, when you are ready to purchase your electrical, plumbing and decoration supplies, make sure you buy them from a reputable supplier. Good quality equipment is vital for those who are going to be using such items regularly and whose work needs to be carried to a high standard, and will often be the difference between someone seen as a professional and an amateur simply trying their luck.