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We're relocating to Oahu and noticed while looking for a rental that many properties need repairs and updates.
How do you think a Handy Man / Contractor business would do on the island. Hubby does everything plus finish carpentry. I could also do the final staging for the properties. Our personal homes have always sold within 3 to 7 days, even in 2009 in a suburb of Los Angeles.
Thought that hubby could semi-retire but with the COL in Oahu, he might need to start a business.
It could be difficult to break in to this job since so many out of work carpenters and contractors (and others less qualified) are doing the same thing. The reason you're seeing properties in need of some fixup could be two-fold; 1, a management not doing their job, and 2. owners that don't want to spend one cent more than possible just to keep the place legal.
In Hawaii, if one does more that $1000.00 worth of work in the carpentry, painting etc line, you must have a contractor's license. If he has a license in another state and can get one here that might help but if not, he will be limited to jobs of under $1000.00 each.
Our handyman charges about $30/hour plus materials. He does not charge extra to go to Home Depo or Lowe's or Ace or anywhere else to pickup necessary items.
My friend who's a licensed contractor is short of work right now, since you can buy an existing house cheaper than building one. So he's hires out to do handyman work, or anything that he can find. That's just the reality of the economy right now. Like KonaKat says, there's a lot of competition for handyman work.
If your DH can repair appliances, that might be the way to go...I know Sears is hiring and there is a shortage of qualified, trained servicers on most of the islands. Esp. in the higher end products.
If your DH can repair appliances, that might be the way to go...I know Sears is hiring and there is a shortage of qualified, trained servicers on most of the islands. Esp. in the higher end products.
Jolie, that's a great idea. DH can get certified before we leave and we actually know someone in Sears' corporate management who can maybe give us some pointers.
To the contractors/handy men and any others looking for work, we know it's been a rough road, DH has been on it. Keep the faith, look for the positives in the moment (love ones, friends, you're breathing and alive!) and keep on trucking.
One thing I noticed about handymen here - they don't market themselves very well. Yes, the good ones get referrals, but in tough times even those guys could use more business. And they don't seem to be proficient at figuring out how to get more.
My advice - referrals are the way to go, since of course people are going to trust a referral much more than any newspaper advertisement. Set up a referral incentive. Get a flyer to all the people who you have done work for already, and tell them they get a free hour of labor for every X hours of work that you do for someone they connect you to. So if their auntie hires you for 8 hours of work, maybe the referring customer gets an hour of your time. Or if auntie hires you for 4 and uncle hires you for 4, they still get an hour.
Of course a free hour can easily turn into an additional paid 2 hours, but don't push it. Encourage them to think of something that can be done in the free hour, because you don't want to come off as taking advantage. Maybe do an hour plus for free, just to encourage them. Then of course they will likely say, "You know, we've been meaning to change our cabinets." or you can point out that their cracked tiles in the kitchen could be replaced with the spares you spotted in the garage.
People will always refer a good resource, but it isn't at the top of their mind. If a friend asks, they will give your name, yet it just may not come up in conversation. If you start a referral program, then they will start thinking of who needs something done.
Just run the program for a limited time, unless it's really working for you. And don't ever ever grumble about the free hour. Schedule it as a priority, show up on time, do the work, clean up and say THANK YOU. After all, someone is helping you help yourself. Be grateful and the customer will be happy and help you again.
Calico, that is so true! Not only in Hawaii but in Cali. I do marketing and graphic design for a living. Get people in all the time, "Just run me 100 copies, please." Hand writing in pencil, sharpie, spelling errors, etc. I know many are hurting, so for $20 I'll typeset something professional with an appropriate photo(s) from my library (that way they don't have to buy stock photo).
Many of these guys see a big increase in calls, because they look like professionals! Not a fly by night company/person. I have guys I've helped from 10 years ago that still buy business cards and flyers from me, even after moving 10 miles over. Just because I took the time to help them out.
Take the extra step and make yourself took like you mean business!
Good luck, Ruby
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appliance repair
