Honestly I seriously regret not working with someone to learn to do that kind of work. I'm "mechanically inclined" as they say, and am generally "handy" in that I can find ways to fix things, but I completely lack the general knowledge for how one actually does all the types of work being a "handy man" entails. At this point I can't afford the massive pay cut that would come with working under someone to learn it all.

[–] Iconoclast@feddit.uk 10 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (2 children)

I'm a plumber by training. I had very little experience in construction and renovation work when I started as a handyman. I'm a homeowner and I've worked on my own house and have a lifelong passion for tinkering, but that's about it. Switching felt quite intimidating for multiple reasons, and a major one was that exact worry that "what if I don't know how to do something?"

But the internet is full of information. You figure it out once and then you get slightly better each time you do it. Nothing I do (besides plumbing) is critical in the sense that if I mess something up I can't just fix it or do it again. You start learning really fast once you actually start. I've had extremely satisfied customers and the business has been profitable since the first month. It took me about a year to build the customer base that now keeps me pretty much fully employed all the time.

I also took a pay cut when I went self-employed, and it was 100% worth it. I highly recommend giving it a shot if you truly feel like it's something you'd be into. The trades are full of toxic people with bad attitudes. It's so easy to stand out in a good way by just being a nice, honest person who does good work and isn't greedy. Someone who does it just for money has to work twice as hard compared to someone who has a passion for it.

[–] dan1101@lemmy.world 3 points 1 month ago

Yep money is nice, but a peaceful mostly stress free life where you have control over how much or how little you go to work is worth a lot.

[–] Asafum@lemmy.world 3 points 1 month ago (1 children)

It's funny you mention the Internet in that way because it's literally why I got a smartphone in the first place. I started with HVAC and wanted the ability to look up stuff I wasn't sure about, but hated being on call all the time and not having a schedule so I stopped doing it. As far as the attitude goes, I noticed that in my short time doing HVAC as well. I ended up being the preferred tech people would request because of how I treat people, so that could transfer pretty well.

In regards to "being greedy" how do you determine your pricing? I've never known how to value my time in that way. I feel like I'd be too nice and severely undercharge for everything lol

[–] Iconoclast@feddit.uk 5 points 1 month ago (1 children)

I charge 60€/hr for plumbing and 50€/hr for all the rest. Vat included. I looked what others on similar field are charging but really, I just pulled that out of my ass. I can always adjust my prices later. I just went with what felt right.

When it comes to greed, I wasn't so much refering to the hourly rate but rather everything else people like to add in the invoice. If you say you charge 50€/hr but then there are added expenses for travel/starting price/profit for supplies and such it tends to leave a bad taste even if it's not that much in monetary terms. Makes people feel tricked.

Sure, many of these are such things that I could charge for but I don't want to. My hourly rate is set such that I don't need to try and sneak in additional expenses. I genuinely try to be fair and offer the kind of service I'd want to use myself but in the end I'm honeslty just winging it. Self-employment doesn't run in the family so I have no-one to model after but my own vibes.

[–] Asafum@lemmy.world 3 points 1 month ago

Thanks for the info! I appreciate the insight