If you enjoy variety and you are thinking about starting a home – based business, you may want to start a business doing odd jobs for people. Some people are just handy, and those skills that you have are very helpful to people who are not as handy as you are. Whether it’s patching a hole in a window screen, mowing a lawn, or taking the trash to the transfer station (yes, there are still places that do not have curbside rubbish pickup), people in your community could probably use some help with the things that they do not have the time, energy, or knowledge to do themselves.
The great thing about starting an odd jobs business is that there are little to no start up costs. You probably have tools of your own because when things break or need doing at your house, you are probably the one who does them. You will need a day planner or desk calendar so that you can schedule in your jobs as you take on new clients. Since there will be a lot of variety in what you do, it is important to stay organized and plan your days and your jobs so that things will run smoothly.
As a part of your business planning process, make a list of the skills that you have and the types of jobs that you can do. When you come up with a list of jobs, do not forget to make up a rate chart so that you know how much to charge each client. If the work will require you to meet with the client to discuss particulars, consider offering free consultations and estimates. This will help you to accurately assess whether the job is within the scope of your abilities as well as how long it would take you to do it and whether you will need any materials or tools that you do not yet have.
Whether you can sew, knit, bake, and make canned goods or you are more of a gardener, woodworker, and small appliance magician, don’t be shy. Get the word out in your community that you are available for hire. Use business cards, Craigslist, community bulletin boards, Facebook, and any other means of advertising that make sense for you. Then, sit back and enjoy doing the variety of odd jobs that come your way.
photo by anitapatterson on morguefile.com.