Forget midday naps in a gently swaying hammock.
Somehow I started a handyman business that’s eating more of my time. Did I lose my mind? I pictured Early Retirement as relaxed and carefree, not swapping one grind for another. This whole handyman thing began earlier this year when I spent six weeks fixing up a buddy’s rental after the tenants trashed it. As each problem got solved, that feeling of actually finishing something lit a fire in me.
Using a drill and a hammer felt better than another day of meetings and endless emails. Who knew?
So why would an “early retiree” turn into a handyman?
There’s a lot you can do with this gig. I like the “punch list” jobs that take a few focused hours—installing ceiling fans, hanging bi-fold doors, swapping out garbage disposals, installing locks, fixing railings, and the like. Bigger jobs—full rehabs or installing kitchen cabinets—show up sometimes, but they’re time-consuming and not great when you want to keep your freedom (I’ve got pickleball to play!). Still, these jobs are a solid way to earn extra cash when most of your net worth is tied up in 401(k)s and real estate.
Not every job is fun. Just this week I helped a friend-of-a-friend with a toilet repair that took forever because the tank bolts were rusted solid. I’ve never hugged a toilet so hard trying to loosen nuts. Toilets—no longer on the menu. Those gross jobs are the ones you do to help people out. I also avoid painting unless it’s the right client—and then I’ll charge more.
With the right tools, there aren’t many repairs a DIYer or a FIRE-era handyman can’t handle. I’ve got three toolboxes now: basics, plumbing, and one for bigger power tools plus safety gear (eye/ear protection, knee pads, etc.).
Most handymen charge $25–$100 an hour. I price at the high end for short one-off jobs under an hour—that helps cover driving around in an SUV that drinks gas. If a job is going to take three-plus hours, I give an estimate and try to stick to it. Surprising customers is a bad idea, so if I run into a snag I tell them before I keep going.
I thought I’d have closed some real estate deals with the Realtor’s license I got in October 2023, but so far—crickets. Meanwhile, I’ve pulled in over $20k in revenue working part-time (6–12 hours a week). Every client gets a Realtor card on their fridge—hoping some of these leads pay off down the road.
You don’t have to know every trade. I offer a lot of services, but sometimes a job is beyond me—or I just don’t want to do it (toilet swaps and messy drain work, I’m looking at you). I built skills by tackling small projects around my house and fixing things at our rentals. Start small, use YouTube, and learn as you go.
There were three core skills that got me going when I bought my first house years ago. Many other jobs use similar tools and techniques—master those basics and you’re ahead of the game.
Once you can swap a faucet or hang a heavy ceiling fan, help a friend or family member to get experience. But if something looks complicated, don’t try to be a hero. I’ve opened fixtures to spaghetti-junction wiring that made me wonder how the place hadn’t burned down. Call a pro in those cases. And if water valves start leaking during a faucet replacement, you probably need new valves installed—this is a “level-up” job that’s doable, but you should know what you’re doing before you tackle it.
Remember: tools, mileage, and supplies are tax write-offs. That helps at tax time, but don’t go wild buying a bunch of shiny Milwaukee tools you’ll rarely use. Rent or borrow things when you can.
If you’re starting out, get one small impact driver with extra batteries, a multi-tool, and a battery-powered hand saw. Down the line, get a battery-powered nail gun that uses 16-gauge nails. Try to keep your tools on the same battery platform so you can swap batteries between them.
For part-time work, word-of-mouth is king. Do a few jobs well and cheap, and referrals will come. Still, you have to put yourself out there at first. Nextdoor has been my bread and butter—free, easy, and customers can post recommendations that bring in more leads. My Google Business page also brings people in when they search for “Minneapolis handyman,” and the reviews (100% five stars) help a lot. I tried Thumbtack and hated it—too expensive for leads that didn’t pan out. Skip it and stick with Nextdoor and Google.
Being a handyman is more rewarding than you’d expect. It’s not glamorous, and it won’t win you any prestige, but after one or two projects I feel accomplished in a way I rarely did in my 17 years in healthcare insurance. Almost every customer is grateful, and I get to meet new people instead of navigating corporate politics.
Yes, there are downsides—again, toilets. I’ll still help friends and family with small fixes like a flapper or flush control, but that’s about it. I’ve run into faucets so seized you need a torch and a Sawzall—rusted nuts are a real thing.
The work does keep me active—hauling toolboxes is basically farmer’s carries—and I burn more calories than I used to. But there’s ladder work and tight spaces, so you need to be careful. If you’re in decent shape, this can be a great fit.
Build enough goodwill and steady leads and you can charge decent rates. In my first full year I’m averaging roughly $300 per project at about $80/hour. As a sole proprietor I don’t get paid like a W-2 employee, so my take-home rate looks different.
One last thing: work comes in waves and it slows in winter. When that happens I find other useful projects—fixes around my own house or maybe writing this blog.
Featured photo by Susan Holt Simpson on Unsplash