I wanted to write an article on the best job in Quebec for 2023, that of the handyman. And chance does things well, I have been one for more than 12 years. Does my statement surprise you? You probably say to yourself that I add more to impress the gallery. Well no, I think so and it's almost embarrassing to be so lucky to have this job. This article sheds light on a profession that is too often overlooked.
Looking for the best job in Quebec.
Like everyone in Quebec, I was looking for an interesting, fulfilling, accessible, stable and very well paid job. So I finished college and took a great job… in finance. Very far from the profession of handyman.
My work experience.
Hi, I'm Daniel, the founder of Beau-Frère for rent and I decided to help renovation enthusiasts like you earn a good living by becoming a contractor specializing in small and medium renovation projects, it's i.e. jack of all trades. Over 12 years ago, I decided to drop everything and go my own way to become a handyman.
You know what? I have only one regret, I should have done it long before.
So, if you have doubts about this profession, like my entourage at the time, continue reading this article. I will try to convince you that it really is the most beautiful in the world.
An important point about this profession is as much for women as for men.
I would like to point out that I am referring to the trade that here in Quebec is called “handyman” and that in France it is rather called “handyman” or “handyman”. I want to emphasize that both women and men can exercise it.
I will try to convince you by demolishing the five prejudices that we hear most often.
The 5 reasons why the profession of handyman should be avoided according to popular beliefs and let's see why it's wrong!
- It is a job for poorly qualified (manual) and uneducated people: False
- It is a profession where the working conditions are miserable: False
- It is a poorly paid job: False
- It is an unstable and precarious profession: False
- It is not a job to create a profitable and successful business: False
First, the stereotype that this job is for people with little education and skills.
Couldn't be further from the truth! Professional handymen are highly skilled workers who have spent years perfecting their craft, learning about new techniques, materials and tools, as they face different situations every day. Sure, some jobs may be easier than others, but being a handyman means you never stop learning.
The general practitioner of the house.
They have an increasingly important role, they occupy the role of general practitioner for the house. They diagnose and advise customers who are highly specialized in one area and completely overwhelmed by everything that involves maintenance and repairs. Often they just don't have the time or inclination to deal with it. They want to have someone they trust who will take care of their home for them.
Working conditions are poor
This is simply wrong! Handymen have the freedom to set their own hours and work the way they want. They are their own boss and can choose to work on projects and clients that interest them. In 12 years, I can count on my fingers the number of times I have worked evenings and weekends… Ask a doctor if he can say the same.
In this business, we are in direct contact with our customers. The monetary reward is obviously there, be patient, we will get there soon, but the feeling of recognition that we receive and the pleasure of seeing in the faces of our customers that we make a real difference in their lives. That, few professions allow you to experience it every day.
This brings us to the stereotype that the handyman does not earn a good salary.
This time, it's more nuanced, in theory it's completely false, but unfortunately in practice we see it too often.
In theory (which I think should be the norm)
Good handymen know how to stand out, build a stable clientele, know how to choose their clients and the work they accept to do. The handymen who know how to do it make income that could make a lot of professionals blush.
If you stand out for the quality of your services, you will quickly become indispensable to your customers and you will be able to charge what you are really worth.
A good handyman often earns much more than many prestigious jobs requiring long studies.
In practice now, why do most handymen and home improvement contractors fail after just 3 years in business?
The all-purpose hamster wheel
The reason is simple and I call it “The All-Purpose Hamster Wheel”. And I'm not smarter than the others, I spent my early years there too.
Here is what this wheel consists of.
Imagine a guy full of good will, and with heart in his stomach, we'll call him “Daniel” it's really a coincidence if he has the same first name as me.
- Daniel knows he has the talent, the tools and the passion for renovation. But since his name is not really recognized in the market, except for his family and his group of friends, he thinks that to achieve a good reputation, it is normal to agree to negotiate on the price, to accept jobs that he does not really like and to go around town for new customers.
- As he has agreed to make good prices and works on what others are fleeing, he is super happy to see his agenda quickly filled for the first few weeks.
- But since he has compromised on the price and on his time, he is working like a madman to finish quickly and cash the first checks. Because, his cash is starting to become scarce with the purchases of materials for his new demands and the loss of his regular income that he left behind a few weeks ago.
- As he works like a madman, he therefore no longer has time to find and choose new requests that could be more profitable.
- After some time, Daniel inevitably finds himself faced with an empty agenda.
- And guess what? To remedy all this quickly, they accept at a discount new requests or requests that no one wanted… to “make a name for themselves” and “invest in the future”.
And there you see me coming, the wheel begins a second round... and a third round... and one day Daniel, this all-purpose hamster, came close to quitting the job as many have done before him and as many will still do. after him. By the way, I won't go into detail today, but I hope I can tell you how our handy hamster was finally able to get off its wheel.
This all-purpose hamster wheel is well known and a host of solutions are available to avoid it or at least get out of it as quickly as possible. It is certain that I will address the subject quickly in a future article if you are interested. But I can tell you right away that it is as a team that we can achieve this. You can't wear all hats.
So as not to leave you in an unbearable suspense, here are 5 ways to get out of this infernal spiral:
- Learn to delegate certain tasks, such as administrative management, marketing or customer prospecting.
- Find a mentor or join a network of entrepreneurs for advice and support.
- Offer specialized services, which will allow you to stand out from the competition and attract clients willing to pay for your expertise.
- Invest in your continuing education to improve and stay current in your field.
- Avoid creating stress with unnecessary employees and expenses. It is essential to manage your resources well and not overload yourself with responsibilities that could affect your well-being and efficiency. Without employees and by working in an organized way, you will be able to maintain your freedom and take full advantage of your job.
The Connect-forces franchise network
Now the stereotype that a handyman job is an unstable job.
That's why it's completely wrong. A good “professional” Handyman knows how to move from one season to another by diversifying his services. Each season brings its share of work. Hence the importance of having a loyal and selected clientele to help them throughout the seasons and plan the work. A handyman with a good system has no off seasons.
In times of recession, I would much rather be a jack of all trades than a specialized technician at Bombardier. The technician is likely to lose his job, not me. There will always be work to do, often even more in a recession because people prefer to renovate than move. And as our homes become more and more complex, there will be an even greater need for our services, skills and tools to advise and guide them in the maintenance and security of their home.
The last prejudice, it is not a good job to create a profitable and prosperous business.
Again here, theory (which should be the norm) and practice don't always come together, in my… I mean in the case of our jack of all trades, he thought he was creating a nice company, apparently everything was going well: A large commercial condo, a receptionist, an accounting clerk, two territory managers, more than 15 handymen on the road and a turnover of more than 1 million per year. But in reality, he almost lost everything. That too could be the subject of a future article.
With hindsight and the experience gained, I realize how this job offers all the advantages to become profitable very quickly, if you know how to avoid my mistakes, keep a simple structure and recognize what pays off and what makes you believe that it is chargeable.
And here's what really pays off: working alone from home and building customer loyalty in your neighborhood.
First, expenses are very limited.
– No premises and related costs to pay.
– No specialized tools to acquire and finance.
– No employees to pay.
– No inventory to bear.
Then, the income is very interesting
– In direct relation to our talent, our hourly rate can easily exceed $80/h.
– A clientele that we can help several times a year and for several years.
– No customer account. Work completed = work paid.
– Customer requests are numerous and very sufficient.
The advantage of the job is that the handyman can bet on: The “Repeat Business”
Regardless of the type of business and especially among renovation businesses, one of the challenges is to constantly renew its client list week after week and year after year. The kitchen contractor can't redo his client's kitchen next month.
The good handyman knows how to retain his customers and knows how to help them throughout the years to come to maintain, repair, renovate and even clean the house and thus become indispensable in their eyes. All this allows him to develop recurring services and to have his clientele in his neighborhood.
We shook up the world of franchising in Quebec
In conclusion: The "Best" job in the world!
In conclusion, being a handyman allows you to be your own boss, manage your business from home, not have to worry about employees, work for people in your neighborhood, have different days every day, earn a good living and have the gratitude of your customers day after day… and for years to come. So, if that's not the "best" job in the world...
Do you know Connect-forces? Maybe we could be a good option for you!
Forgotten traditional franchise networks?
Connect-Forces is shaking up traditional franchisors!
Connect-Forces opens the doors to a unique, modern and tailor-made opportunity for you? We're looking for real, passionate entrepreneurs, not those with the most money to bring in quickly. A very affordable monthly subscription allows you to work in a network to succeed as a team.
Choose the banner that most resembles you, they all share the same tools, strategies and experts serving the success of the entire Connect-forces network.
No entry fees !!!
Avoid getting into debt and conserve your cash.
Compared to other traditional franchisors, we believe in real risk sharing. We only succeed if you are successful too. Entry fees are replaced by a monthly subscription to the Connect-forces network.
Free to stay or not, It's up to you!
If you stay with us as a franchisee, it's because you are successful, not because you signed a contract.
Share expenses to increase your profits!
Share with all other franchisees of all banners the costs of the call center, a diverse team of experts and high-performance technological tools.
Pay only the services you request!
We don't all have the same budget, available time or interests, do you want to delegate more? It's possible ! Do more yourself? It’s also possible!
https://www.connect-forces.com/appointment/1If you are not sure and would like to study our different banners before becoming one of our new partners, here is a list of links. To Compare:.
Several opportunities are available
Cities of Greater Montreal
Capital Region Cities
City of Trois-Rivières
City of Gatineau
I have an invitation for you.
If you want to become your own boss by offering a handyman service as an entrepreneur, because like me, you love the job, I invite you to contact me by email or make an appointment on our website via my agenda for a 15-minute call to discuss your project together.
https://www.connect-forces.com/appointment/1
Online form for more information:
Address: 2293 Ile-des-Lys, Terrebonne, Quebec J6Y 6A2.
Website : https://www.connect-forces.com/
Phone: 514-666-2328
Email address: franchises@connect-forces.com
More articles to come
To learn more about the handyman profession and the franchise, here are some articles that I will write that may be of interest. Come back to check for updates..
- Why become a franchisee, and what are the important franchisee rights to check in a franchise agreement?
- Why is the best formula for making money is to avoid hiring employees?
- What is the best protection against lack of work?
- What to do when a customer is not satisfied with your service or your rates?
- How can you be sure your prices are the right ones?
- Planning his home business?
- What is a good organization of work for an independent entrepreneur?https://www.connect-forces.com/