Great Webinar today: Thank you so much! I absolutely love this video. Thanks for all you do for the handyman community. What a great dad too. Take care.
I used to work for corporate hotels, I managed both front and back of house in the F&B depts. Covid shut everyone down here in NYC. Became an electrician and since then I have the ability to go for my license. I will be doing it and I already have a hand full of clients, private and contractors that call me. I can use my boss’s license to pull permits. I now want to do it for myself.
Do you bill a full trip fee for missed appointments? I'm currently sitting outside a tenant's building that I should have been inside 15 minutes ago. They are not responding (despite acknowledging a reminder text an hour before the appointment time). I'm about to call it and bill for a missed visit, but this would be my first time doing so and I appreciate your guidance!
Depends on whatever agreements I have in place with the property manager. It also depends on the tenants attitude. If it was an honest mistake and if they seem sincerely apologetic then it really just depends on whether or not I was able to make good use of my time. However, if they are argumentative or if I have any reason to think that they missed the appointment on purpose or just didn't care, then I'll charge a full trip fee.
@bulletproofhandyman Makes sense. The guy ended up calling me back and letting me in about 5 minutes later. It was 10° here in NY this morning, not great weather for hanging out! I thought about it more throughout the day, and I think where I landed is - since my company is just getting off the ground and gaining traction, and since this is my first property management client (I'm about 10 jobs in for them so far) my plan is the first time I have to actually deal with this scenario, I will use it as an opportunity to open the dialogue with my manager on the topic. "Hey, PM, as a courtesy to you, I'm not going to bill this first missed appointment - but in the future, this is what it will look like" I'm still balancing that imposter syndrome and wanting to impress and maintain my first PM client, but also starting to recognize that I am just communicating, showing up, and doing a good job and the work seems to be flowing in as a result. It's all so exciting and nerve-wracking, but you have created something that feels like having a seasoned mentor in my back pocket at all times.
That's exactly how I opened the topic with my PMs. I waited for the first occurrence and used it as a conversation starter. Good luck! Sounds like you're on a good path!
I only see subscriptions working in the sense of basic household upkeep that you can schedule a day each month to go and do the tasks like air filters, smoke detectors, etc. and would probably work primarily with elderly or 'DINK' couples who see more value in tossing you a couple hundred than think about it
I started adding trip fees to my invoices after watching your video from about a year ago that discussed building estimates. This is the first time I’ve heard that you don’t add a separate line for the fee, but I remember you giving verbiage for a Jobber trip fee description. Are you still putting the verbiage in your invoice?
Small jobs do not have a line item that says "trip fee". Instead it just says "labor" and the trip fee is built into that price. Larger jobs do have a line item that says "trip fee"
I wasn't clear on that either, and will just call it "labor" on my invoices only without saying "trip fee" and will just leave out "time spent on-site" completely... It is none of my client's business how much time I spent to buy material for a job, and how much of my labor they could have saved by me simply telling them what to buy. Just doesn't make any sense.
Just saved this one to watch tonight. This is my biggest issue right now. It's hard to compete with the "migrants" that have been "migrating" for the last 20 years anyway.
Its my biggest issue as well. "So and so charges $60 or whatever for this" is what I hear alot. Cheap labor dilutes what true small businesses can make from jobs. I hope this turns in the future a bit for the handymans sake.
I think it's mostly a matter of clients. My clients will sometimes try to use a cheaper handyman but in the property maintenance world they need people who are super reliable and cheap guys aren't usually reliable guys so they always come back.
Fellas, I understand that whole migration issue. If you speak English, presentable truck, and are detail oriented. It sets you above the rest. I get guys from the depot for general labor. Sometimes they might be good. ( picked up some roofers for a demo. They finished the job in 4 house I paid them 8) hard work pays. Don’t give up!
This is the best content available for owner/operator handyman businesses.
Thank you Paul!
Great Webinar today: Thank you so much! I absolutely love this video. Thanks for all you do for the handyman community. What a great dad too. Take care.
You're welcome, and thank you too!
Wonderful video. I have to rewatch this one or two more times because some of your information goes over my head.
I hope it all ends up being very useful for you
Hello from Colorado! Practical and wise counsel. Grateful for the support you provide this professional community.
Thank you sir!
This is the best content out there! Helped me tremendously. I actually met this guy and have done work! He's mentored me and always answers!
Thanks Heath!
Well I just undercharged for my first job 😂. Replacing a hose bib and installing a shutoff valve. I charged 139 with materials
It happens buddy stay in there😂 I started in June charging 50 trip fee and 25 hr now I charge 125 80/h
No worries, we all start out too low. Hell, I'm probably still too low.
@@QuickNicksHandymanServices Same! started at $65 with no trip fee, now $120 trip fee, $80/hr. Lets goooo
I'm at 300 for that
Sheesh.. I would’ve told em $500 even not questions asked
Thank you for the video. I was number 49 awesome stuff thank you for the knowledge. I’m increasing my prices two in 2025.
Awesome thanks!!!
As a Handyman this some great info. 2024 has been great for business.
I'm glad to hear that!
I used to work for corporate hotels, I managed both front and back of house in the F&B depts. Covid shut everyone down here in NYC. Became an electrician and since then I have the ability to go for my license. I will be doing it and I already have a hand full of clients, private and contractors that call me. I can use my boss’s license to pull permits. I now want to do it for myself.
Awesome!
Thank you for the amazing video! I really appreciate it.
You're welcome!
Do you bill a full trip fee for missed appointments? I'm currently sitting outside a tenant's building that I should have been inside 15 minutes ago. They are not responding (despite acknowledging a reminder text an hour before the appointment time). I'm about to call it and bill for a missed visit, but this would be my first time doing so and I appreciate your guidance!
Depends on whatever agreements I have in place with the property manager. It also depends on the tenants attitude. If it was an honest mistake and if they seem sincerely apologetic then it really just depends on whether or not I was able to make good use of my time. However, if they are argumentative or if I have any reason to think that they missed the appointment on purpose or just didn't care, then I'll charge a full trip fee.
@bulletproofhandyman
Makes sense. The guy ended up calling me back and letting me in about 5 minutes later. It was 10° here in NY this morning, not great weather for hanging out!
I thought about it more throughout the day, and I think where I landed is - since my company is just getting off the ground and gaining traction, and since this is my first property management client (I'm about 10 jobs in for them so far) my plan is the first time I have to actually deal with this scenario, I will use it as an opportunity to open the dialogue with my manager on the topic. "Hey, PM, as a courtesy to you, I'm not going to bill this first missed appointment - but in the future, this is what it will look like"
I'm still balancing that imposter syndrome and wanting to impress and maintain my first PM client, but also starting to recognize that I am just communicating, showing up, and doing a good job and the work seems to be flowing in as a result.
It's all so exciting and nerve-wracking, but you have created something that feels like having a seasoned mentor in my back pocket at all times.
That's exactly how I opened the topic with my PMs. I waited for the first occurrence and used it as a conversation starter.
Good luck! Sounds like you're on a good path!
RAY, IT'S KINDA LIKE A BIG-TIME ATTORNEY!!! ITS LIKE IN YOUR STATE, THEY ARE ALL DIFFERENT!
Thanks!
Hey what's a good source to contact you with some questions? Thank you.
bulletproofhandymanbusiness@gmail.com
I'm a net 2. I get nervous beyonnd that. Lol
Haha! 😂
I only see subscriptions working in the sense of basic household upkeep that you can schedule a day each month to go and do the tasks like air filters, smoke detectors, etc. and would probably work primarily with elderly or 'DINK' couples who see more value in tossing you a couple hundred than think about it
Thanks!
I started adding trip fees to my invoices after watching your video from about a year ago that discussed building estimates. This is the first time I’ve heard that you don’t add a separate line for the fee, but I remember you giving verbiage for a Jobber trip fee description. Are you still putting the verbiage in your invoice?
Small jobs do not have a line item that says "trip fee". Instead it just says "labor" and the trip fee is built into that price.
Larger jobs do have a line item that says "trip fee"
I wasn't clear on that either, and will just call it "labor" on my invoices only without saying "trip fee" and will just leave out "time spent on-site" completely... It is none of my client's business how much time I spent to buy material for a job, and how much of my labor they could have saved by me simply telling them what to buy. Just doesn't make any sense.
Gold
Thanks!
Just saved this one to watch tonight. This is my biggest issue right now. It's hard to compete with the "migrants" that have been "migrating" for the last 20 years anyway.
I hope it's useful!
Its my biggest issue as well. "So and so charges $60 or whatever for this" is what I hear alot. Cheap labor dilutes what true small businesses can make from jobs. I hope this turns in the future a bit for the handymans sake.
I think it's mostly a matter of clients. My clients will sometimes try to use a cheaper handyman but in the property maintenance world they need people who are super reliable and cheap guys aren't usually reliable guys so they always come back.
Fellas, I understand that whole migration issue. If you speak English, presentable truck, and are detail oriented. It sets you above the rest.
I get guys from the depot for general labor. Sometimes they might be good. ( picked up some roofers for a demo. They finished the job in 4 house I paid them 8) hard work pays. Don’t give up!
Why do you not have a million sub's??
It's taken me too much time to get my production quality up. I'm working on it though!
Bc he’s the realest!!!
Thank you for the video. I was number 49 awesome stuff thank you for the knowledge. I’m increasing my prices two in 2025.
Awesome. Good luck with the price increases!