Handyman services describe a wide range of in-home services from refrigerator repair to plumbing, gutter cleaning, or carpet installation. If you serve a residential area, there will be demand for these services as people request bids home improvements or need a leaky faucet repaired. The data backs up starting this type of business with a reported $4 billion in annual revenue coming in from handyman franchises.

In addition to revenue potential, handyman franchises often come with lower start-up costs and the promise of steady profit. I closely look at the advantages and disadvantages the most popular handyman franchises to find the opportunity that’s best for you. Take this 7-minute quiz to find out if a handyman franchise is right for you.

Handyman Industry Overview

To become fully knowledgeable with the terms and operations that you need or you will be doing for this business, here is an overview regarding the type of work rendered by a handyman job. It’s best to select a niche service that you enjoy learning about and can eventually understand at a master level. 

• Small Repair Jobs – Tasks done might range from a minor or major fix. You’ll be fixing all sorts of issues from leaking faucets, window treatment installation, garage doors, or repairing pretty much any other odd job that comes up in a home.  
• Air Conditioning – HVAC professionals complete work wherein they tend to fix the control of ventilation, humidity, or temperature inside the building or vehicle to maintain the atmosphere needed for comfort.
• Plumbing – Installing and maintaining plumbing systems such as pipes or tanks were also done to prevent shortage or problems when it comes to the water supply or sanitation.
• Electrical Installations – Electrical equipment will be installed or fixed to fulfill a particular purpose. Handymen will also maintain and assure that lines from the main power are positioned to ensure safety.
• Gutter Cleaning – Gutter cleaning may seem like a simple job but handymen can also be asked to perform this task. Many homeowners like to hire out this task because it can be dangerous climbing up a ladder to remove leaves and other debris from gutter system. This task is important since it prevents damage of the roof, exterior, and foundation of the home. 
• Fixture Replacement – As light fixtures have a fixture body and one or more lamps, handyman jobs offer an easy replacement for this and even do some fixations for LED or wires. Sometimes, homeowners want more up-to-date fixtures to provide a modern look. 
• Painting for Interior and Exterior Upgrades – Every decade or so, homeowners like to refresh the pain on their home. Painting is another project completed to establish a finished and renewed look.
• Drywall Installation – This is also called wallboard, plasterboard, and gypsum board wherein it helps in slowing down the spread of fire and this will manage the safety and other potential damage of your place.
• Landscaping – This is the process of making a yard or land more attractive just by designing it, adding additional features to improve and upgrade its appearance. Handymen are often called on to install trees, plants to putting up a fence or deck. 

Not Sure What Franchise to Start? Take Our 7-Minute Franchise Business Quiz!

Is a handyman business profitable? How profitable?

Yes. Handyman services are in high demand. In fact, there are approximately 1,595 of these franchise businesses operating in the United States right now. Knowing there’s a nearly endless supply of work this business could have a chance to give you a high-profit potential for decades to come.

The overhead expenses that could be used are generally low and the best paid handymen are compensated at more than $100,000 per year. If you own your own handyman business and keep busy, you can exceed six figures in annual revenues.

What’s the demand for handyman services?

Handyman business and services have been around forever. If you’re a homeowner, you understand everything from appliances to bathtubs encounter problems from time to time.  The maintenance, upgrades, or fixes never seem to end.

Due to the unending customers seeking for help on this type of service, it has been proclaimed by the Bureau of Labor Statistics that the General Maintenance and Repair Worker has been increasing as fast as an average which grew 8% from 2020.

How does a handyman make a year?

When it comes to earning potential, you can make a lot more owning a handyman services business than working as an employee in one. The average salary of a handyman is $39,080. But if you own the business, you could be making more than $100,000 as long as you can keep busy. 

Typically, a handyman’s hourly rate could be between $60 to $70 per hour for independent workers and around $125 per hour for a handyman who works for a company. That would be much already however, not some of them are being paid the same accordingly but for the degree of work they have done. 

Becoming an owner of course is a little bit more complex. You’ll need to learn the basics of marketing and customer service. But if you can become proficient in these two skills, you’ll be ready to make the leap to ownership.

What are the advantages of joining a handyman franchise?

Joining a franchise help you master important skills like marketing, branding, and building a business. Joining a franchise also means you won’t need to worry about the brand-name, logos, or branding. You also get to leverage the trust of an existing brand even if you’re starting out. In other words, you get a game plan for a proven home services business. Here are some reasons founders invest in recognized franchises.

You Might Like: 14 Cheap $1k and Under Franchise Businesses Worth Joining 

Growth

If you’re operating a proven brand, it will be easier to attract local customers. These franchise opportunities have a proven marketing plan that can be applied to any market. Follow the plan and you’ll see growth faster than trying to figure out what works to find customers yourself. 

Training

In order to keep a good quality service that a company could offer, it will always be part of the requirement of accepting workers to make sure that they are trained and are capable of doing work and learning. Any business franchise for that matter will also provide training and support to let you, the owner, succeed with your business and help you hire workers when it’s time to expand the business.

Less Expense

If you are about to start a business, one of your worries would be your daily expenses when it comes to working. However, a handyman business will not require many expenses for this because this service will only require the handyman’s expertise, time, effort, and hard work to finish the task. Handyman franchise businesses can often be joined for less than $100,000 investment. This is not the case for other franchise opportunities like restaurants that will often require an investment of $1 million or more to qualify. 

Handyman Franchise Business Review: My Top 11 Picks

Handyman Franchise Business Review: My Top 11 Picks

The Flying Locksmiths van for residential and commercial services.

The Flying Locksmiths

• Initial Investment: $121,596 to $366,396
• Royalty Fees: 8.0%
• Franchise Units: 89
• Franchising Since: 2015
• Headquarters: Braintree, Massachusetts

The Flying Locksmiths help keep homes and businesses safe installing locks and other safety equipment. 

After being in the business industry more than 70 years, this handyman franchise is best when it comes to providing top-of-the-line security such as installing card access systems, CCTV, and even door closers. They also utilize all means of communication just like the electric strikes/intercom systems while staying true to family values.

The starting initial investment is $121,596 for this franchise. If you’re in the process of weighing the risk of starting your own business or franchising, make sure to add The Flying Locksmiths to your short list. Here’s why:

1. The demand for this business is continually expanding throughout the country. In 2021, the locksmith industry is valued at $2.8 billion in the United States with further growth expected in the coming years.
2. This business already has brand recognition and loyal customers. The number of positive reviews for this business gives you a big advantage in the early days. Consumers already recognize and trust the brand. This isn’t the case with all home-service businesses. 

Mr. Handyman

One of the most reliable handymen of Mr. Handyman.

• Initial Investment: $117,500 to $149,500
• Royalty Fees: 7.0%
• Franchise Units: 290
• Franchising Since: 2000
• Headquarters: Ann Arbor, Michigan

Starting from a major problem of a home owner’s leaky faucet or pipe, down to a minor problem in assembling shelves and more, worry less because Mr. Handyman can do it all for you.

Mr. Handyman offers home repair and improvement even before the year 2000 until its recent times. With the continuous growth of this franchise with its estimated 290 units, there is no wonder how their help flourished the homes of people who needed them. 

For spending an initial investment of $117, 500, your very own Mr. Handyman franchise could really give you a secured income. Also, hiring one of your workers will never be that hard because they, themselves could get benefits from this company that includes paid holidays or vacation, flexible schedule, and also education, training, tuition, and even certificate reimbursement.

If you are planning on owning this franchise, evaluate this list of benefits that you can receive to have a great bounceback of income and return on investment.

1. This franchise is known for its strong ethics and having an excellent standard when it comes to doing fixation jobs. With this strong qualification, the number of customers will surely entrust themselves with your good company, and your people.
2. To ensure good quality of service coming from your employees, no need to worry because these technicians will ensure that they get their ten years or more of experience in the field that they were in.
3. Lastly, this business franchise can do a list of works needed for home services, and that means the highest total earnings could be obtained.

Handyman Matters

Ready to provide complete repairs to your home!

• Initial Investment: $82,816 to $127,147
• Royalty Fees: 6.0%
• Franchise Units: 125
• Franchising Since: 2001
• Headquarters: Lakewood, Colorado

Handyman Matters is a franchise company that offers home and commercial maintenance, improvement, and remodeling services, nationally. In the year 2020, they have been recognized as a top brand by Newsweek’s list of America’s Best Companies for Customer Service after a survey was made for more than 20,000 US customers to choose the best solely in customer service.

Investing in this franchise is also a true winner as they were recently acquired by the Ace Hardware and provide multi-skilled craftsmen, who surely handle a homeowner’s list of tasks to do. Even though a review from their workers shows the least rating from them, their companies are still known for the amount of great value of work they give, considering that they were voted as part of the Best Companies for Customer Service.

With the amount of $82, 816 initial investment, you can already start up your own business by owning a franchise from Handyman Matters. If this franchise is one of the companies listed for you to choose from, I will be stating some of the benefits on why I think this is also the best one for you.

1. Aside from their quality to give better services for the people, this company was also passionate to have integrity as one of their goals. Knowing that they possess this, it surely does give hope that each owner of their franchise will be given much respect in hopes that they will reflect it to the behavior of their staff that would build an amount of trust for the future customers.
2. In order to maintain their premium work and support, this company maintains extensive training that will give a huge benefit not only for the owners of the franchise but also for the customers who will be receiving the work.
3. Lastly, this franchise is confident enough to bring your business success after having their strategic service plans. They also have said that if you still did not obtain an amount of $200,000 in Gross Revenue during the first 12 months, then they will give you a 50% refund for your franchise fee.

TruBlue Total House Care

The service van of TrueBlue House Care.

• Initial Investment: $61,850 to $81,000
• Royalty Fees: 6.0%
• Franchise Units: 60
• Franchising Since: 2011
• Headquarters: Cincinnati, Ohio

TruBlue Total House Care offers non-personal care, a home service franchise focused on Seniors and busy families. You can hire TruBlue for senior home safety modification, renewing your interior home design, down to commercial maintenance and repair, yard care, snow removal, or residential cleaning.

Among all these listed franchises that specialized in handyman services, the TruBlue Total House Care has the lowest initial investment if you’re on a budget. 

You Might Like: What’s the Exact Cost to Open a Tint World Franchise? 

Despite that issue, this business franchise was still able to make their name as the trusted handyman servicing company when it comes to senior house care and busy families. Here are the key advantages of this opportunity:

1. Low-Investment, Home-Based Business. For a startup franchising business, this is one of the lowest cost. With a lower investment, you can get in-the-black on the investment much faster than alternative opportunities. 
2. They have an easy business to own that is quickly to scale. Aside from allowing you to franchise their home-based business, TruBlue is also remarkable for allowing their franchisees to scale up quickly and efficiently because their executive team will be of great help in establishing this business in your community. If you have the goal of expanding into multiple home-service units this franchise was built to scale. 
3. Lastly, TruBlue meets the underserved demand for home care services. As we grow older, it can become more difficult to accomplish chores and projects around the home. TruBlue provides an essential service to the elderly and retired that can’t complete these types of projects on their own. 

Mr. Appliance

The representatives of Mr. Appliance.

• Initial Investment: $60,800 to $139,515
• Royalty Fees: 5.0%
• Franchise Units: 305
• Franchising Since: 1996
• Headquarters: Waco, Texas

Any one that’s had a refrigerator or oven break down in the past then you know what kind of a home-emergency this can be. Mr. Appliance saves the day by providing by repairing all sorts of appliances. 

For an initial investment of $60,800, you can own a Mr. Appliance franchise serving your community. There are also incentives if you’ve served in the military. But there are also challenges with this concept. This business has a franchise review score of 81%. Inevitably, there will be certain appliances you can’t fix. This can set the business up for negative reviews and will be a challenge in operating the business. 

Things to consider: 

1. The cost to buy new appliances has dropped over the past couple decades. For many consumers, they may decide to replace a broken refrigerator for a few thousand dollars instead of getting it fixed for a few hundred dollars.
2. In order to maintain the sustainability and profit for your business, Mr. Appliance has provided ongoing training and support to prepare you, the owner, for the operations that include finances, employee/technician retention, and scheduling.
3. Lastly, they also have provided marketing support for the owners in order to establish advertising or being known in the industry. Marketing will be the most important skill you learn in the early days of this business. 

Fresh Coat

• Initial Investment: $54,000 to $77,000
• Royalty Fees: 6.0%
• Franchise Units: 165
• Franchising Since: 2005
• Headquarters: Cincinnati, Ohio

The team behind the exceptional service of fresh coat!

If you are planning to have a business that focuses on giving colors and painting business in homes or establishments then Fresh Coat is a legit option. 

This franchise focuses on operating a painting business for both interior and exterior painting and wallpapering services for residential and commercial clients. They have been in the service industry since 2004 and up until now, they are still providing outstanding painting services at affordable rates. Speaking of affordable, the amount of initial investment between $54,000 – $77,000.

Here are a few of the of advantages of franchising Fresh Coat as I see it:

1. Access to capital. If you are planning to get a franchise from this company but you do not have much money to buy and start this business, Fresh Coat has a relationship with various banks and lenders that could help you expedite the process and provide loans to open up a franchise.
2. Fresh Coat has a low inventory and multiple revenue systems which includes the residential and commercial painting. This gives you more flexibility about the types of customers you can work with.  
3. Lastly, they have recently launched a comprehensive commercial training program that provides owners with tools to set the seal on a successful robust commercial painting market. This gets you read to provide an expert paint job even if you don’t have much experience in this industry. 

Handyman Connection

Satisfied business owner for the repairing service of HandymanConnection.

• Initial Investment: $99,000 to $149,000
• Royalty Fees: 5.0%
• Franchise Units: 60
• Franchising Since: 1991
• Headquarters: Blue Ash, Ohio

Home improvement can be messy, stressful, time consuming and hazardous. As a Handyman Connection franchise owner, you solve these problems for home owners. 

This business franchise has been operating since 1991 wherein people were calling for their help when it comes to professional craftsmanship and exemplary customer service. With over 60 franchise units, there’s reason this proven business has grown. 

1. Home repair and home remodeling are always in demand. This is especially true now that much of the country is seeing inflated new home prices. As a result, people are investing more into maintaining / improving their existing homes because they can’t afford a new place. 
2. Handyman Connection franchise has a simple business model that requires minimal inventory and low overhead. The services business is a fantastic cash in business to operate. 
3. Finally, you will be given a chance to interact, and learn from other Handyman Connection franchisees, customers and home improvement craftsmen in order to provide good quality services for homeowners. Getting hands on training and being able to consult with experienced business operators can be extremely valuable if you’re new. 

Mister Sparky

• Initial Investment: $123,873 to $301,553
• Royalty Fees: 6.0%
• Franchise Units: 103
• Franchising Since: 2006
• Headquarters: Houston, Texas

No repairs is too complicated for Mister Sparky’s team.

Providing safe, high-quality electrical services covered by a 100% satisfaction guarantee, Mister Sparky checks all the boxes for consumers. The initial investment is on the higher end of other handyman franchises, but is unique because of the electrician services provided. You won’t be working on small one-off fixes around the house with this franchise.  

To guide you if Mister Sparky is the best option that matches your goals, take a look at this compiled list of advantages when you partner with them:

1. This is a mobile electrician service. Due to their unique service providing electrical services, they can use it as their competitive edge and gain recognition in the local market.
2. The companies constantly-updated marketing toolbox, system, and technologies will keep this business ahead of everyone else.
3. Lastly, when you invest in a franchise in this company, owners will receive help from them when it comes to hiring, training, and keeping top talent, to generate customers and ensure that the business will stand out. If you’ve never owned a business this support can really help you out. 

House Doctors

• Initial Investment: $98,900 to $129,550
• Royalty Fees: 6.0%
• Franchise Units: 52
• Franchising Since: 1997
• Headquarters: Milford, Ohio

House Doctors’ service vehicle in action.

If you’re interested in opening a House Doctor franchise, you can get into business for $98,900. The franchise also has relationships with third-party sources that offer financing to cover up the possible franchise fee, start-up costs, equipment, inventory, accounts receivable, and even payrolls. Here are a few highlights of the company:

1. This franchise has multiple revenue streams to help you grow your business. This includes streams that are not limited to energy-efficient upgrades, remodeling, handyman & to-do lists, and commercial. This allows you to ride trends tied to the home-service industry. 
2. This business has low overhead costs which will not require you to spend much especially if this is your first franchised business.
3. Finally, this franchise operates in several major growth markets that include home modifications, improvements, and home repairs.

HandyPro

One of the handymen of Handypro fixing the side gutter of a residential home.

• Initial Investment: $70,640 to $128,643
• Royalty Fees: 6.0%
• Franchise Units: 10
• Franchising Since: 2000
• Headquarters: Plymouth, Michigan

Just like any other handyman service, this franchise company offers an affordable solution to a wide variety of building repairs and maintenance. Using your initial investment between $70,640 – $128,643, you can get into business. This franchise has been providing services for over 20 years now and only has a handful of franchisees so most territories remain open. 

If you want to want to start a Handy Pro, here are some things you need to know before getting started. 

1. If the predetermined sales goals in the franchise are not met, this franchise in the category will give the client a franchise fee refund. This is a really nice benefit, especially in the early days of operating a service business while you’re still building a customer base. 
2. This franchise has extensive initial and ongoing training and unlimited support to ensure that the business running with its name on it is successful and will maximize its profit potential. 
3. Businesses can be run from home or small inexpensive industrial spaces. Meaning, that this doesn’t have to give out all expenses just to keep this business from moving and operating which will help the franchisee to get back the initial investment they have spent. You could park the vehicle in your driveway assuming it’s okay with your HOA. 

The Honey Do Service, Inc.

The service van of The Honey Do Service ready to provide premiere home improvement service!

• Initial Investment: $85,630 to $122,200
• Royalty Fees: 6.0%
• Franchise Units: 16
• Franchising Since: 2008
• Headquarters: Bristol, Virginia

The HoneyDo Service, Inc. is one of the affordable, highly predictable investments in the service industry of a handyman job. This company helps people when it comes to the home improvements and remodeling industry which is undeniably sought after by many people. You can’t beat the tongue in cheek brand name either that helps you capture the attention of prospective customers.  

After all these years of service this could be your time to establish and own a franchise from them. The big question is, is it worth it? Here are the benefits of franchising The Honey Do service.

1. HoneyDo Service is one of the booming local handyman services in the industry which means that their capability in achieving goals in providing good quality work will keep growing. 
2. It has a low initial investment that can help aspiring business owners to start owning their franchise with a secured income in return.
3. This franchise has a low inventory requirement that allows owners to keep much of their money and spend less on their inventory. This is appealing especially if you’re starting the business on a budget. 

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average revenue of this occupation earns approximately $63,140 annually with the lowest possible income of $24,600. There are over 91,120 handymen employed in the United States which could be men or women.