A handyman business is one of the cheapest home repair businesses to start. You probably own most of the tools already. The hard part is not fixing things. It is charging enough, staying inside the law in your state and keeping the calendar full of jobs that are close together. Here is the order that works.
1. Pick the jobs you will do first
Do not list 40 services on day one. Start with the jobs homeowners call about every week and that you can do well, fast and without a special license:
- TV mounting and shelves
- Drywall patches and small repairs
- Furniture assembly
- Interior doors that stick, rub or will not latch
- Caulking, weatherstripping, curtain rods and blinds
- Light fixture and ceiling fan swaps, where your state allows it
These jobs are short, they repeat, and customers search for them by name. Leave remodels, roofs and anything structural for later or for a licensed contractor.
2. Check what your state lets a handyman do
This is the step most new owners skip. Many states let you work without a contractor license only under a dollar limit per job, and almost every state requires a licensed electrician or plumber for anything beyond simple swaps. California, for example, raised its limit to $1,000 per job including materials in 2025. Florida has no state handyman license, but licensed trades are off limits and many counties want a local business tax receipt or competency card. Read our guide to handyman license and insurance before you take your first paid job.
3. Handle the paperwork
- Register the business with your state. An LLC usually costs $50 to $300 to file
- Get an EIN from the IRS. It is free and takes ten minutes online
- Get general liability insurance. A solo handyman often pays $40 to $100 a month for $1 million per occurrence
- Open a business bank account and run every dollar through it
- Get a city or county business license if your area requires one
4. What it costs to start
If you already own a truck or van and basic tools, many owners start for $2,000 to $5,000:
- Insurance down payment and registration: $500 to $1,000
- Tools you are missing (stud finder, laser level, drill and impact set, oscillating tool, drywall kit): $800 to $2,000
- Ladders: a 6 foot and a 10 or 12 foot, $300 to $500
- Website, phone line and business cards: $50 to $150 a month
Buy tools as jobs pay for them. A $600 tool you use once a year can wait.
5. Set your prices before your first call
New handymen almost always charge too little and then work 60 hours to make a living. Work out what an hour of your time really costs: your pay, insurance, truck, tools, phone, software, taxes, and the hours you spend driving and buying parts that nobody pays for. Most owners land between $75 and $110 an hour with a minimum charge for the first hour. Read how much to charge as a handyman and keep a list of prices for common jobs so you can quote on the phone in ten seconds.
6. Get your first customers
- Tell everyone you know, and ask each happy customer for one neighbor
- Set up your Google Business Profile with the Handyman category, your service area and real photos of your work
- Put up a website with prices and a page for each job you do, so the person searching "TV mounting near me" at 9 p.m. finds you and sees a number
- Join neighborhood groups and answer questions without spamming
- Answer every call. Handyman customers call two or three numbers and book the first one who picks up
Our guide on how to get handyman customers goes deeper.
7. Set up simple systems from day one
Write down every job: the customer, the address, what you did, what you charged and when they paid. Send the invoice before you leave the driveway and take cards. It is much easier to start with a system than to clean up 200 jobs of texts and paper later.
How long until it pays
A solo handyman who charges $85 an hour and books 25 billable hours a week grosses about $8,500 a month. Most owners reach that in their first six to twelve months if they keep their area tight, answer quickly and look professional from the start: a real website, clear prices and an invoice they can pay with a card.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to start a handyman business?
If you already own a vehicle and basic tools, $2,000 to $5,000 covers registration, insurance, missing tools, ladders and a website. Buy specialty tools when a job pays for them.
Do I need a license to be a handyman?
It depends on your state and city. Many states allow small jobs under a dollar limit without a contractor license, and electrical, plumbing and HVAC work almost always need a licensed trade. Check your state licensing board before you start.
Is a handyman business profitable?
Yes, when you charge for your real costs. At $85 an hour and 25 billable hours a week, a solo owner grosses about $8,500 a month before expenses.