I just stubble upon your channel, as a general contractor I am always watching videos to are how others are doing things and looking for new tips, trick etc. I really like your content but what keeps me watching is your delivery you have a great papyrus vibe. Keep up the great work
That's been my angle - I like commercial work. All word of mouth & constant referrals from one small company to another and repeat customers no Big companies only small companies. The downside is waiting for pay because I don't make invoices right then. The hours are all over the place like you said though. I charge 50% more than my residential rate (and I do a little residential too). Been at this for a year and commercial keeps getting more and more solid and regular. I only work with a work order in hand. havent seen any IVR;s at all fwiw.
It's definitely a great way to go. It seemed like once I did one or two jobs they just started flooding me with work orders. It could have just been me but I dealt with at least three companies that had a check in process. They were definitely others that sent me a work order and I just told them how much it would cost. You are absolutely right though, even the little jobs paid very well as long as you price them right.
New viewer here Daryl, you're right, I go thru all that crap with customers, but I keep it to myself because it's the job I choose, I like it but it could get a little overwhelming sometimes. It's all good Thank you for your honesty
Great video I am going on my fourth year as a handyman and have lately been slowing up on commercial work main reason with the IVR systems you are basically an hour employee you can make money but you are only going to get paid for the hours you are onsite if you give an estimate you are pretty much locked into the price if you go over but don't get the full amount if you get done quicker. The company never loses basically, You also need to be insured and have work comp.
You are absolutely right. I forgot to mention that most of them do require workman's comp. And with the IVR systems, it's not even like you can stretch it out since their apps are linked to the location of your phone.
@@DarylTheFINISHER Yes I do the invoicing and put every tool away onsite don't punch out till the job is 100 percent done unlike residential where I just throw the tools in the van at the end of the day and deal with it in the morning.
@@Handyman.Trav.YT01 I wish the companies would realize that when they hire real contractors/ professional handymen that being paid by the hour is not an incentive.
Your experience with commercial companies reminds me of my experience with the app companies I used for appliance repair. They called and expected me to handle all of their orders while doing repairs part-time. That wasn't happening, LOL. BK
I know what you mean bro. It's like you sign up and they open up the floodgates. Amazon started sending me work orders and I never even signed up with them. Lol
Most of the time they'll ask you for your trip charge up front. At this point I always tell them $125 which is the same as my minimum charge when I do residential. They only seem to worry about an hourly charge if they're looking for you to work long term. Then you may have to negotiate it. I never charge by the hour in residential or commercial though.
Great content Daryl, I’m thinking of starting a handy man business. I’m still a little on the fence. I reach out to a preservation company, they sent me a few work orders before I contract on with them, they were paying way below market rates for jobs so I decided not to sign on with a preservation company.
You'll probably do better with property preservation by working with them as a sub with your own contracting business. Some of those companies are always looking for the cheapest labor they can find.
You are right, they are looking for the cheapest labor which helps them keep more $$$ in their pocket. At 58yo, time is a very valuable resource that I can’t afford to give up cheaply!!!
In my experience, you'll probably do best to contact the head of maintenance for the hotel. Maybe even go to the hotel and talk to them about what you offer. Most of my work in hotels have been doing tile repair.
I just stubble upon your channel, as a general contractor I am always watching videos to are how others are doing things and looking for new tips, trick etc. I really like your content but what keeps me watching is your delivery you have a great papyrus vibe. Keep up the great work
That's been my angle - I like commercial work. All word of mouth & constant referrals from one small company to another and repeat customers no Big companies only small companies. The downside is waiting for pay because I don't make invoices right then. The hours are all over the place like you said though. I charge 50% more than my residential rate (and I do a little residential too). Been at this for a year and commercial keeps getting more and more solid and regular. I only work with a work order in hand. havent seen any IVR;s at all fwiw.
It's definitely a great way to go. It seemed like once I did one or two jobs they just started flooding me with work orders. It could have just been me but I dealt with at least three companies that had a check in process. They were definitely others that sent me a work order and I just told them how much it would cost. You are absolutely right though, even the little jobs paid very well as long as you price them right.
New viewer here Daryl, you're right, I go thru all that crap with customers, but I keep it to myself because it's the job I choose, I like it but it could get a little overwhelming sometimes.
It's all good
Thank you for your honesty
You're right, that's what we chose. They're going to be hurdles no matter how we get these jobs done but it's all part of the game.
Another good one Daryl.
Thanks!
Great to see this video, thanks for putting it up.
No problem, I appreciate the idea.
Great video I am going on my fourth year as a handyman and have lately been slowing up on commercial work main reason with the IVR systems you are basically an hour employee you can make money but you are only going to get paid for the hours you are onsite if you give an estimate you are pretty much locked into the price if you go over but don't get the full amount if you get done quicker. The company never loses basically, You also need to be insured and have work comp.
You are absolutely right. I forgot to mention that most of them do require workman's comp. And with the IVR systems, it's not even like you can stretch it out since their apps are linked to the location of your phone.
@@DarylTheFINISHER Yes I do the invoicing and put every tool away onsite don't punch out till the job is 100 percent done unlike residential where I just throw the tools in the van at the end of the day and deal with it in the morning.
@@Handyman.Trav.YT01 I wish the companies would realize that when they hire real contractors/ professional handymen that being paid by the hour is not an incentive.
Your experience with commercial companies reminds me of my experience with the app companies I used for appliance repair. They called and expected me to handle all of their orders while doing repairs part-time. That wasn't happening, LOL. BK
I know what you mean bro. It's like you sign up and they open up the floodgates. Amazon started sending me work orders and I never even signed up with them. Lol
@@DarylTheFINISHER Good ole Amazon and their magical ways, LOL. 🤣
Do you touch on your pricing for jobs based on the job? Would be super helpful to know roughly how to start: trip fee, hourly, etc. Thanks!
Most of the time they'll ask you for your trip charge up front. At this point I always tell them $125 which is the same as my minimum charge when I do residential. They only seem to worry about an hourly charge if they're looking for you to work long term. Then you may have to negotiate it. I never charge by the hour in residential or commercial though.
@@DarylTheFINISHER thank you for the tips!
Great content Daryl, I’m thinking of starting a handy man business. I’m still a little on the fence. I reach out to a preservation company, they sent me a few work orders before I contract on with them, they were paying way below market rates for jobs so I decided not to sign on with a preservation company.
You'll probably do better with property preservation by working with them as a sub with your own contracting business. Some of those companies are always looking for the cheapest labor they can find.
You are right, they are looking for the cheapest labor which helps them keep more $$$ in their pocket. At 58yo, time is a very valuable resource that I can’t afford to give up cheaply!!!
How can I get I to hotel...motels
In my experience, you'll probably do best to contact the head of maintenance for the hotel. Maybe even go to the hotel and talk to them about what you offer. Most of my work in hotels have been doing tile repair.