ProfitDrawer's handyman business guide gives an example budget of about $650 to $5,850. The biggest lines are hand and power tools you do not already own ($300 to $2,500), general liability insurance for the first months ($100 to $800), vehicle racks and bins ($0 to $600) and registration with a local license ($50 to $500). Someone with a good tool set and a pickup or van starts near the low end. These are example ranges; your costs will differ.
Example budget (your costs will differ):
| Item | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Hand and power tools you do not already own | $300 | $2,500 |
| Ladders and safety gear | $100 | $400 |
| Business registration and local license | $50 | $500 |
| General liability insurance (first months) | $100 | $800 |
| Vehicle setup (racks, bins, organizers) | $0 | $600 |
| Simple website or booking page, business cards | $0 | $400 |
| Marketing (flyers, door hangers, local ads) | $50 | $500 |
| Phone and software for the first months | $50 | $150 |
| Total | $650 | $5,850 |
Check which jobs your city, county and state let a handyman take without a contractor or trade license before you buy specialist tools (see answer 204).
Then price each job from your time, materials, driving and overhead. In the guide's worked example, a 2 hour faucet and door job at $45 an hour, with $27.50 of materials, $11.20 of driving and $12 of overhead, costs $140.70; adding 20% to the cost (a 20% markup) gives $168.84, rounded to $170. Put your own numbers into the free startup cost calculator and price per job calculator.
Source: How to Start a Handyman Business (ProfitDrawer guide) · Updated
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General information, not tax, legal or financial advice. Check the rules for your state and your situation.