The handyman industry is growing fast. Homeowners need trusted professionals to help them tackle household repairs and light construction. With the global handyman market size projected to reach nearly $1.2 billion by 2032, there has never been a better time to build an in-demand business that serves your community.
Wondering how to start a handyman business of your own? This guide breaks down the steps to launching your own home services venture, whether you’re planning to start from scratch or invest in a franchise model. We’ll also explore the key differences between franchising and independent ownership, so you can decide which path makes the most sense for you.
Step 1: Define Your Service Offerings
If You’re Going Independent
If you’re planning to launch your own business, you’ll need to start by defining the services your company will offer. What projects are in demand in your area? What handyman skills can you — or the team you plan to hire — deliver with confidence?
To get started, you’ll need to:
- Identify the core handyman services you want your business to offer
- Ensure any craftsmen on your team have all necessary training and certifications
- Research licensing requirements for each type of service you plan to offer
Then, it’s time to map out the rest of your business strategy. From projected startup costs and service pricing to branding and marketing, you’ll need a documented plan for launching and growing your handyman business. This will help you stay organized in the early days of your business, but it’s also essential if you plan to seek outside funding or dream of scaling your operations down the line.
If You’re Franchising Your Handyman Business
Franchising simplifies the discovery phase. Rather than building your business from scratch, you’ll start with a proven business model, carefully crafted based on years of real industry insights. Our core offerings focus on less intensive projects like drywall repair, light carpentry, and gutter cleaning, so your team can avoid the headache of navigating complex renovations and the permits that come with them. Instead, you’ll be able to jump straight into solving everyday problems that homeowners don’t have time to fix themselves.
Plus, you don’t need to have repair skills yourself — you don’t even need to know somebody who does! We help franchisees recruit and hire qualified craftsmen who can consistently and professionally deliver the services you offer. Our model is built for scalability, so it’s easy to hire more craftsmen as demand increases.
Step 2: Register and Protect Your Business
If You’re Going Independent
If you’ve already been researching how to start a handyman business, you know legal compliance is a major piece of the puzzle.
On your own, you’ll need to:
- Choose a business structure that fits your goals. Most handyman business owners go with an LLC for liability protection, but a sole proprietorship or partnership might work for smaller operations.
- Register your business name with your state and apply for a federal tax ID number (EIN). You’ll need this to open a business bank account, file your taxes, and hire employees.
- Research licensing requirements in your city and state. Some areas require general contractor or specialty trade licenses even for basic repair work, so it’s important to check local regulations carefully.
- Secure liability insurance to protect yourself and your customers in case something goes wrong on the job.
If You’re Franchising Your Handyman Business
If the thought of figuring all that out on your own gives you a headache, franchising offers a simpler solution. Our dedicated franchise support team will help you navigate the specific licensing and compliance requirements in your territory and connect you with insurance providers who understand the industry.
Step 3: Understand Your Financial Investment
If You’re Going Independent
Every business requires money to get off the ground. How much will it cost to start your handyman business? When going solo, make sure to budget for everything upfront, including:
- Handyman tools and equipment
- A commercial service vehicle
- Insurance and licensing fees
- Advertising and marketing materials
- Scheduling and invoicing software
- Working capital to cover early expenses
If You’re Franchising Your Handyman Business
These costs can add up quickly, catching many independent business owners off guard. When you franchise with Ace Handyman Services, everything is laid out clearly in our Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD), so you know what to expect before you even get started. Our team can also help you explore financing options.
And with a franchise, your investment covers more than just the bare necessities. You’ll benefit from a fully developed business model, nationwide brand recognition, and dedicated startup support systems. Not only that, we have pre-negotiated pricing with many vendors to help save you precious start up capital. While your initial investment includes a franchise fee, this often replaces dozens of smaller decisions and costs you’d have to manage on your own.
Step 4: Find Your First Customers
If You’re Going Independent
Marketing is what gets your phone ringing and keeps the calls coming. As an independent owner, you’ll be responsible for building your brand and getting the word out. That usually means:
- Creating a website and optimizing it for local SEO
- Managing your business listings on Google and other platforms
- Launching social media pages and posting regularly
- Soliciting reviews from satisfied customers
- Running local ads or door-to-door promotions
Marketing your business can quickly become a full-time job of its own. If you want to effectively build your brand reputation and generate leads, you may need to invest in a dedicated staff member for your marketing efforts.
If You’re Franchising Your Handyman Business
As a franchisee, you gain the power of a name that consumers nationwide recognize and trust. We also provide extensive marketing support, including digital advertising, community outreach, and a robust grand opening campaign for your handyman business. A dedicated marketing portal provides access to templates to customize your own materials, and finding leads is also made easier with access to ACE Hardware’s 50+ million reward members. All that means you can spend less time figuring out how to market your business and more time doing the work you love.
Step 5: Streamline Daily Operations
If You’re Going Independent
Managing a business day-to-day comes with its own learning curve. Don’t forget to develop systems for:
- Scheduling service appointments
- Communicating with clients and handling service requests
- Sending invoices and processing payments
- Tracking expenses and preparing for tax time
- Hiring and training employees as you grow
You’ll need to define these workflows early if you want your business to grow beyond your grand opening.
If You’re Franchising Your Handyman Business
Good news! We’ve already built the systems you need to run efficiently. From scheduling software to backend reporting, everything is designed to help you work smarter, not harder. You’ll also receive hiring guidance, training resources, and access to a community of fellow franchisees, so you’re never facing challenges alone.
How to Start a Handyman Business that Works for You
If you’re looking for maximum control and have the time and resources to build your brand from scratch, you might be a good fit for independent ownership. You’ll call all the shots for your handyman business — but you’ll also handle all the details.
If you want to fast-track your success and reduce risk while benefiting from expert support along the way, an Ace Handyman Service franchise could be the answer. You’ll still run your own business — but with a proven playbook, unmatched brand recognition, and a team that has your back. It’s an opportunity to be in business for yourself, but not by yourself!
Ready to Build Something Bigger?
We’re ready to help. At Ace Handyman Services, we’ve cracked the formula for starting a handyman business that’s successful, scalable, and satisfying to own.
Connect with our franchise team today to learn more and schedule your introductory call.