Moving a Handyman Business to Hawaii (insurance, home, taxes)

[PattiKK]

Take cards and credentials to all the real estate companies on the island. Get known. Then you can choose your area.

[MauiPartTimer]

Two more places to try condo associations and property management companies that rent out properties as vacation rentals on behalf of owners.
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[Due]

Originally Posted by PattiKK

Though we are flooded with handymen, I can count on one hand how many we actually use in the real estate industry. Bring your business card in, bring in references and drop your price to get established. Prove yourself with realtors and your business could thrive. I can't even get one of our favorites because he is so busy for weeks out.

If you are moving here anyway, it's worth a try.

Patti

We've been in real estate (including property management for homes and commercial) for 30 years and agree with Patti. Reliable, honest, and quality work from vendors is valuable..
Also agree with KH for a handyman (or contractor): "being good at what you do (if you are) and actually showing up (even when surf's up!)" I'd like to add that, in addition to surfing, "other" sports are not an exuse for being late or not showing. I know about "island time" and understand, but there are vendors on Hawaii that don't adhere to island time and are professional: those have our business.

We've been using a "handyman" with a Contractor license and we like him....as a friend too. In the past he hasn't been good about punctual arrival nor "remembering" the scope of work and we considered not using him, but he improved recently. The contractor we use for railing, fencing, etc. is very professional as is one of the home inspectors.

Due

[hotzcatz]

Another option might be high end woodworking to be sold at craft fairs. Dunno as if it would make as much and it can be semi-seasonal, but if you have your house and lot paid for and just need retirement income, it might work. A skilled high end furniture maker can stay busy and you don't have to lift as heavy of stuff as you do as a handyman. There are a lot of handy people, not so much really high end skilled folks. You can also sell stuff to galleries, but they take high commissions.

Or, if you could manage to live on only $20 an hour, there's always heavy house cleaning. Folks that will wash walls and windows are always in demand. Add in the ability to do small repairs and you may have something.

[whtviper1]

You may want to consider S. Dakota, which ranks the highest for small business and entrepreneurship - Hawaii ranks 5th worst.

Article came out yesterday:

Hawaii fifth-worst for small business policy - Hawaii News - Honolulu Star-Advertiser

[hotzcatz]

I wonder how much of the poor ranking is from Hawaii's required employer health care provisions? We've had those in place forever while the rest of the country is playing catch up now. Will the rankings change once that effect is leveled?

[Olali]

It may be too late to be helpful to the original inquiry, but I'm a Hilo resident hunting for a good, reliable handyman with multiple abilities. In my experience it is true that there are lots of handymen out there but most of them are a waste of time and money. They often will schedule a time to do a job after coming to look at and giving an estimate, then not show up or call to cancel OR reschedule. Why?
The good ones are busy! And get work by word of mouth/the coconut wireless. I'm a good customer willing to pay well too! If you're looking to work part time and you're good, in time you can establish yourself here.
Also, forget Oahu, much higher cost of living. The big problem on the Big Island is access to health care...

[KonaKat]

I use handypersons all the time and pay at least $45/hour here in Kona. I don't doubt you could quickly have a pretty successful business here just with realtors alone. When we find someone trustworthy and reliable they are gold to us.

Now, that said are you aware of the limitations on a handyman here? No jobs over $1000 or you have to be a licensed contractor. Nothing that requires a licensed contractor such as some plumbing and electrical work, and of course any carpentry that deals with structural issues. Of course you need a GE license and liability insurance, and submit a W9 to anyone who uses your services.

If you have several month's worth of savings for living expenses, moving expenses, new vehicle (ship your tools and your truck), housing, insurance etc go for it. Have a Plan B and an exit strategy before you buy that plane ticket.

You will also have to buy health insurance which will be very expensive here. Hopefully you do not have any serious medical concerns because for the most part, medical care here is practically 3rd world.

[KonaKat]

Originally Posted by hotzcatz

I wonder how much of the poor ranking is from Hawaii's required employer health care provisions? We've had those in place forever while the rest of the country is playing catch up now. Will the rankings change once that effect is leveled?

It's due to high taxes and extremely high commercial rental costs. And if you're self employed, no one is required to provide you with health insurance but if you have employees, you betcha that's a zinger. My employer pays the first $500 and I pay over $350 on top of that for my health coverage. That's almost $775/mo. for ONE PERSON no dependents.

GE tax is also a reason - services are often not taxable because they do not provide a tangible product but here everything from your doctor's exam to notary public services have to add on that damn 4.166%.

[KaraBenNemsi]

Talking about the Kona side of the Big Island: $30 an hour and be good in what you do. And reliable. And friendly. And patient till you get a few absentee home and condo owners lined up.

Learn to deal with non-permitted buildings and get familiar with our specific building codes. Much work will be off the books and on cash base. Be discreet. Offer free consultations to realtors.

My 5 cents.