The UK is a nation of DIY-lovers, but not all of us are cut out for aesthetic perfection — hiding poor wallpapering behind a cupboard and a grotty paint job behind the TV. And this is where the handyman franchise market sweeps in to save the day — just like DIY SOS.
The gender-neutral expression used by some in preference to handyman is maintenance person or fixer - the proverbial "Jack of all Trades". Most professional handypeople provide a range of services rather than specialising in just one trade area.
Handyman franchises cover a vast array of DIY and home-maintenance tasks, including:
- Plumbing
- Electrician
- Carpentry
- Plastering
- Painting & decorating
- Gardeners
- Lawn specialists (and artificial grass specialists)
- Renovators
- Refreshers — cleaning grout, repainting, and rescuing poorly completed decorating tasks.
- Oven cleaners
- Locksmiths
- Man/woman in a van services
- Flatpack building
- Deliveries and moving services
But you don't have to have handy skills to invest in a handyman franchise, especially if you're looking to build a little empire. Some handyman franchisees don't perform the physical work themselves — instead, they manage a team of craftspeople who complete jobs for them. This is a perfect opportunity for people with office, organisational, or marketing skills to thrive in a super-profitable marketplace.
Many people took time to reconsider their careers during the work-from-home/furlough periods of the early 2020s, which has prompted many to consider a change of pace in their professional lives. Those working in corporate businesses realised there's another way to earn a living — opting for the more satisfying manual professions rather than returning to high-pressure, target-orientated jobs they no longer enjoyed.
So, if you're feeling a bit burned out and chewed up by a stressful career that chains you to a desk, you might consider the freedom of a handyman franchise — helping others by providing essential skilled services.
If you're looking for a satisfying route to escaping the rat race, consider investing in a handyman franchise and help your customers have more beautiful homes (with furniture that doesn't fall apart!).
Franchising
Starting a new business from scratch presents a wide range of challenges, from the relative invisibility of your new venture among the established competition to recouping your initial investment.
However, investing in a handyman franchise overcomes many challenges independent business owners face.
When you invest in a handyman franchise, you enjoy a raft of fantastic benefits, including:
- An existing customer base of clients who already know you and trust you
- An established marketing strategy and online visibility
- A supply chain that ensures the best deals on materials
- Instantly recognisable branding, offering immediate curb appeal
- A reputation
What better way to go into business for yourself than to enter the marketplace with a reputation for excellent customer satisfaction?
Additionally, most handyman franchise opportunities come with an excellent training programme that ensures you can maintain the brand's hard-earned reputation. So, investing in a franchise represents a true investment in your skills.
As well as training, many parent companies offer a range of HR functions that helps ensure your new business runs in compliance with business, financial, and employment regulations. This is the stuff that keeps most business owners awake at night, so this type of support is genuinely worth its weight in gold.
Many people consider franchising a common-sense approach to becoming your own boss, and it's easy to see why!
Facts About Handyman Franchises
Handyman businesses charge a premium to complete tasks that homeowners can't do for themselves or don't have time to do - ranging upwards of £20-£30 an hour. These higher hourly rates are comparable with many management positions — without the stress and hassle!
Most handyman services offer home repair and maintenance services, from simple fixes to complex building and renovation projects. Others specialise in niches such as painting and decorating or plumbing — services in continuous high demand.
Many handyman franchises charge an hourly rate on top of a call-out fee, making the average customer spend around £60, according to Checkatrade.
According to Powered Now, 38% of Brits considered swapping their corporate roles for handyman trades during the early 2020s, citing improved work-life balance and the freedom of self-employment as the incentive. You might think this has led to an over-saturation of maintenance people in the marketplace, but 25% of existing handyman franchises have to turn down work due to the backlog of projects.
Indeed, handyman franchises experience continuous, steady work - with a high likelihood of repeat business from satisfied clients.
Franchising Vs. Independent
The first five years of any new business present a range of genuine risks that threaten the company's longevity. There's the problem of being discovered above the noise of your established competition. And then there's the challenge of recouping your initial investment. And this is where franchises trump most independent ventures.
When you set up a new business without the support of an established, experienced partner, you enter the marketplace with a service offering that lacks proof of viability. This makes it difficult for new business owners to hit the ground running as they learn what their customers really want.
On the other hand, franchise businesses run a tried-and-tested business model. The parent company has made all of the typical mistakes of all new businesses - and they have learned how to mould their business offering to precisely match the needs of their customer base.
And it’s this experience that makes franchises more appealing to banks and moneylenders because the business model has proven itself profitable, sustainable, and able to grow.
Independent companies don't have this proven market viability, which means that when they achieve startup funding from banks and moneylenders, they often receive poor interest rates compared to franchisees.
So, if you’re thinking about changing your career and going it alone, consider the benefits of investing in a handyman franchise, enjoying:
- A proven customer base that trusts the brand
- An operational supply chain
- Proven Market viability
Handyman FranchisesCheck out Franchise Direct's excellent selection of handyman franchises, and help the UK’s homeowners and renters live in beautiful spaces (without the effort).
As with many other segments of the home services franchise industry, the growth of handyman franchises is driven by the renewed health of the housing market, as well as the rising disposable incomes of people living in the UK.
According to the UK Office for National Statistics (ONS), there are many benefits to owning a handyman franchise. These include
- The year-on-year increase in the spending on DIY related categories in the UK since 2015.
- Over the past five years, the DIY industry revenue has increase by almost 6% with the industry expected to grow a further 2.1% over the next 3-5 years.
- The UK revenue for the DIY industry in the UK is expected to reach £12.8 billion by 2025.
- The increase in people working from home is expected to see an increase in the number of home office renovations which will see another surge in the industry profit forecast, 0.6% per year increase expected.
Facts About the Handyman Franchise Industry
- The handyman franchise industry is estimated to be worth $4 billion. Approximately 1,539 businesses are estimated to operate in the handyman franchise industry, according to IBISWorld.
- A handyman franchise benefits from homeowners recognizing the need to maintain and repair their homes in order to increase their home values. The tax credits available to homeowners have encouraged them to invest in energy-efficient home improvements, increasing the need to hire handyman services.
- It is not necessary to have technical experience to open your own handyman franchise. Instead of performing the physical work, franchisees manage a team of handymen who complete the job along with the marketing, sales, and office requirements of the business.
- Handyman franchises offer home repair and maintenance services. Franchises may offer a range of repair and maintenance services ranging from simple fixes to complex projects, while others may specialize in a particular niche such as plumbing or painting.
- Handyman franchises typically require an initial investment of $100,000 to $150,000. Investment ranges include the initial franchise fee, training, tools and equipment, insurance and licensing, advertising materials, and a company vehicle.
- There are several popular handyman franchises, including Mr. Appliance, Handyman Pro, Color World Housepainting, and Klappenberger and Son.
Many businesses, especially those operating within the home services sector, aim to make life more convenient. Handyman franchises have a lot in common with franchises providing home repair and maintenance services since both vendors cater to a growing market of time-starved homeowners seeking assistance with maintaining their properties. With a range of time-saving services, Franchise Direct helps franchise seekers like you find franchise handyman businesses available today.
It is important to find the right franchisor in order to purchase a handyman franchise. Establishing a successful, lucrative partnership with common goals sets the tone for a successful, lucrative partnership. Find your ideal partnership by selecting each handyman franchise.
Press releases, business opportunities, industry news, and much more help form a condensed list of potential franchisors. Fill out the information request form below and Franchise Direct will help you sort through these prospects with more in-depth information and direct connections to help answer any questions you may have about buying a handyman franchise.