I Won't Work For The Middle Class Anymore | THE HANDYMAN BUSINESS |
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- Опубликовано: 2 июн 2024
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Are you making less money today then you were 10 years ago? Use the Bureau of Labors inflation calculator to check www.bls.gov/data/inflation_calculator.htm
Horrifying.
did you plug your numbers in?
@@TheHandymanBusiness Yes!
@@TheHandymanBusiness Thank you for sharing so much raw information with everyone. I appreciate it, for sure.
150k household is middle class. In major cities it’s hardly middle class.
I net 5k a week working for middle class customers. Our business is booming so much we don't have time to make youtube videos bashing our client base.
Yeah I was pretty taken back why hes even posting this
That would be your area.. middle class changes depending on area and culture. Here middle class is 60k . And everyone above that is upper class. Allot of them here.
@@montezuma17900 Its cause the guy doesn't wanna make $5k net a week. He wants to make MOARRRRR.
Learn, don't take it personal... he might be right or might be wrong, or both... learn
We might question our own believes except for the ones we truly believe in
It seems that the qualifying statements in this whole thing has to do with where you live. Dominant middle can probably do as good as they're willing to work. Dominant or strong upper-class presence, adjust accordingly.
My customer base is older and retired folks. No matter what class. They seem to appreciate your work a lot more and I never have an issue with getting paid.
It's kind of funny watching these "self empowerment" videos from young cocky newbies who have had a run of high end clients that they have made bank on!!!! In the end as long as your not trying to gouge your customers and you do good moral work at good moral pay no matter what the industry GOD will provide.....Spoken from a business owner that is always busy on word of mouth....But then again i dont put most my value on being rich either, rather good work for good pay!!
I have a story for you. 30 years ago as a young contractor, I was called for an estimate from a retired couple. They told me I was quite a bit higher than the others when I gave them my estimate. I told them I do good work, guarantee satisfaction, and have a family to care of, but thanked them for calling me.
A few days later I got the job, "Great". That is not the end of the story, they were involved with a Senior Citizen group and tool everyone how satisfied they were with me. Within a few months, I had more work and hired my first employee.
I agree with you so much, treat them well they will return in folds.
@@fsoileau thanks for sharing your thoughts. I really love making the older folks happy. Leaving a job knowing that the customer is happy with my work kinda gives me a ego boost. Makes me want to do a good job no matter how hard the job is.
If a rich man makes a large sum of money on a deal , he's a businessman , but if a poor man makes a profit , God forbid , he's a thief.
That is EXACTLY how trades are treated. EXACTLY.
If a rich man is given a pile of money from the government (the taxpayer's money) it is called a subsidy and it is good for the economy, because the rich man creates slave-labor jobs overseas. If the government gives a pile of money to a poor man, ...... wait, that never happens. Never mind.
The business man is probs a thief too😂
So what about the poor man who caters only to the rich in order to place himself above other poor men?
lol so true. After 15 years working for myself I finally stopped caring what people think. It costs what it costs.
The worst customers that I had done work for were the rich !
There was always an issue with them ! Not fast enough , not good enough or the most common not cheap enough not all of the rich were like that but I'd say 80% were always complaining about something! My best and most appreciative customers were the middle class and the financially less fortunate who very rarely ever bitched and complained about the money or quality of workmanship!
As my grandmother used to say
DONT BITE YOUR OWN NOSE OFF DESPITE YOUR FACE !
yeah - my brother told me years ago he painted a rich lawyers house and when he finished, the ah wrote a check for 1/2 the amount. When he asked about it the guy just said "you can sue me if you want to".
💯%
I've heard similar stories and what can the middle class even really afford these days anyways. 🤷
If you don’t know to cover your ass and get paid on projects as you go including deposits your shouldn’t be dealing with that type customer. Your a mark if you don’t set the rules up front.
100% agree
I’m a Union electrician foreman working in a nuclear facility and I don’t make enough money to hire one of these “handyman “. The cost of everything, including labor, is absolutely INSANE. Materials cost top dollar yet are absolute trash. Everyone running around thinks they’re worth $150 hour or more. My $35 is actually $25 hr after I’m taxed to death. Then with that $25 I’m supposed to hire help that will give me a bill that is half a WEEKS!!! pay or more for half a days work? That shit don’t add up!!! To be clear I do EVERYTHING for myself. I pull my own engines, cut my own hair, do my own plumbing, cut my own grass,etc,etc. All of this after I’ve commuted 2+ hrs a day and worked 4,5,6, sometimes 7 days a week. It’s absolutely exhausting. I feel like I have a good job and should be able to hire help now and again. Guess again. All the while these yuppies who do nothing but blow hot air all day can’t even wipe their own ass. The American Dream.
Build a business
Why would they wipe their own ass when they have you? Lol. On a serious note, it sounds like the only person who's really suffering in that story is you. It really sounds like you're not too happy with your situation... What do you think would make it better?
People are charging big money for services right now because the market is supporting it. It may not always be this way, but why not make hay while the sun is shining?
Forget what you think about what people are worth or should be paid. Why would you take a job making $35, when you know that you can reliably make $50?
I know a licensed union plumber making $49/hr .
So you in a nuclear facility as foreman $35/hr is veryyy low. I know licensed electricians working in a service van making $37/hr, non union.
Yep, they sold you that American dream. Most of us will have to work until we drop dead on the job.
@@thomaslong8448what's wrong with working as long as you can if you love your job and with the people you work with. I always thought I'd retire at 50 but my partner is like "you'll be bored if you retire" One person(union large engine repair) told me just retiring in the winter shortens your life because you're sitting around watching TV and that set the tone and you just sit on your couch till ya die.
That's why us middle class need to know how to fix our own homes
Middle class can't afford homes anyway.
@@alanj9978 you can, just not in the middle of a big expensive city
The problem is, the quality of work has diminished this past decade and you always have to call several people to get the job done right. On top of it, everyone charges outrageous prices for sub par work. No thanks, I do most of the work myself.
You guys (and gals!) really need to listen and apply everything this man tells you. I retired from my career in the automotive world (auto technician 5 yrs, Service Manager/Director 25yrs, US traveling consultant 15yrs) - left it behind last year - June 2023. By end of July I had watched a few dozen handyman videos after one of his popped up on a youtube recommendation. I had always fixed things myself anyways, so thought maybe I could do a few things to earn some spending money for my hobbies. I had repaired a friends dryer, and also fixed a couple of small things for them - no charge because they were family friends. Their neighbor had some issues so they asked me if it would be ok to gave him my number. They wanted a couple of new bathroom faucets installed. Had to buy a couple of tools to get to the plumbing fittings.. and watched a video on how to do it with the very limited space I had... stopped by my house coming back from the orange box store where they had picked out they faucets! Installed them; fixed the front door tight fit due to settling by shaving the one side a bit with my brand new mini plane I had just practiced with the week prior. (scared me but I took VERY small shavings and tested the fit every other shave when getting close!). Repaired a wooden gate and they really got a kick out of me using a golf ball I drilled a hole through for the end of the pull rope. I charged them $600 based on what this man had said on some of his videos.... they gave me an additional $150 tip!! Total time just under 4 hours including trip to HD and watching a 30 min video. Next I contacted a guy I knew that managed a few apartment complexes (C grade ones at best). First job August 9th was cleaning a bunch of weeds and leaves on a 45° incline. - took me 3 hard, dusty & dirty days - $1250. Long story short - my new handyman business generated $48, 296 for Aug- Dec 2022 - PART TIME! Now averaging $9,800 per month.. "3/4 time". And I watch lots of videos, (and practice A LOT of drywall mudding - that is some science and LOTS of finesse art!!) If I can make this kind of $ being pretty much a novice - no reason why lots of you can't make a ton more. Believe in yourself and what your job is worth to the customer... YOU ARE TAKING CARE OF A PROBLEM FOR THEM THAT THEY DON"T KNOW HOW TO DO PERHAPS _ BUT MAINLY DO NOT WANT TO DO!! - And if you do quality work they will call you again and again - and tell their friends. I'm 67 years old - and having fun learning lots of new things and being paid to learn! Thanks so much for your videos!! Kinda long comment but felt it needed to be said.
awesome！
There are at least 2 reasons why that´s not possible in my area.
I am from Germany and reason no. 1 iiiiiiiis you can´t just open up a handy man business you need proper certification which includes 3 years of apprenticeship + 1 year of master school and then you are legally allowed to do so.
Reason no. 2, there are a bunch of guys from Poland doing that exact thing on the side illegal of course so prices are super low for this end of the business.
So I became an automotive engineer, payed 30 days vacation, sick time, health insurance, disability insurance etc.
But your example is great, it shows the US is really the better country for a self employed kind of person.
Thanks for sharing your entire story, man. I’m happy to see your immediate success and that you’re lovin’ it, too!
Cheers to your fourth and final career. 🙌🏼
Fantastic, great story. Happy for you man.👍
I'm 39 now.
4 years ago I quit my job as an apartment maintenance tech.
I started a hanyman business. Very similar to your experience. I knew almost nothing and I was scared. I rather be afraid of something new, that bored with the same thing!
3.5 years later. I have 4 guys. 4 vehicles. A garage that looks like home depot. If I make a million it's bad year. Lol.
ALL THANKS TO THIS MANS ADVISE!!!!!!!
As a homeowner, I'm less concerned about paying what I consider paying a little too much for a job than I am about poor-quality work done by contractors who are sometimes marginally competent.
Same. I gladly over pay for quality and have a rolodex full of people I trust and look after me because I look after them. I treat them good and they treat me good. I'm kind and friendly to them and when I need something they are on it. These cheap customers piss me off. I have no patience for them in my own business. I am a tradesman and hire other tradesmen for all the work I don't specialize in.
My dad gave me some of the best advice of my life. One of those gems was “ Never pay another man to do work you are fully capable of doing yourself, make friends with carpenters, plumbers, electricians, welders and mechanics, ask them to teach you”.
Thats wrong because there are obviously things that you cant teach someone to do because it requieres consistent practice. Its called a skilled trade for a reason.
@@brandomzarate9704 - But of course you can learn some basics that allow you to do something for yourself that satisfies your expectations, like sweat a joint or add an outlet or build a porch etc.
@@brandomzarate9704 that is one of the dumbest things I’ve heard this week. Are you really making the argument that you can not teach someone because it takes practice? You teach someone so they can practice. You can teach and be taught, yes it takes practice. As a firefighter, we were well versed in building construction, both commercial and residential. Guys I worked with had businesses on the side, construction, carpentry, electricians and plumbers. You can learn anything if you have the intestinal fortitude and determination. When I was a paramedic I taught medic students drug calculations on the fly, starting IVs, intubation and a plethora of other skills. I may not be a professional in the trades but I know enough to do shit around my own house and when I have a question and/or want my work checked, I call a friend or family member who is a professional in one of said fields.
@@HoldFastAndStoic So you are a Fireman but thats not enough you want to take work away from skilled men too, greedy man.
@@starofdavid9919 Don't think of the pie getting smaller because he always wants to progress/evolve.
There's always ways to make . money, even if it's not in your field.
I used to flip camping trailers as a side hustle (while having a full time job) to pay the debts. Started with a $300 trailer, fixed it in a day (minor work), sold for $1300.
I hate to tell you this but the middle class can't afford to pay anybody to do anything for them anymore, but never work for lawyers or doctors. They are like dentists. You have to pull one dollar out of them at a time.
RUclips should add should a 3rd choice besides thumbs up and down - just a smile. Not sure if your comments are accurate but they sure made me smile. Bravo! 😃
My pal knows a man that does specialty work in homes. When he works for a lawyer if it is a $30,000 job he tells them it is $60,000 and he requires one half up front to start the job. He does this because they never pay the balance.
Sad but true. I would argue there is no middle class anymore theirs elites & theirs poor people no in between.
Lawyers were one of my favorite occupations to work for, never had a problem. Farmers were the worse.
Unsubscribing, I have multiple restaurants and my best customers are low to middle class. I am honor and thankful to be able to provide for them an essential service, Healthy, affordable and delicious food. Enjoy your riches, "a fool and his money are soon parted."
I’m glad to read this , be blessed with your cooking and happiness.
That's good leaves the middle class for me, I got more work than I need and still bringing more work in
Sounds like you are a legend in your own mind!!!!
It sounds like u haven’t been in his situation before and experienced what he’s talking about…my dad has been a contractor/ handyman for 50 years….he says the same thing…only because he’s been taken for tons of money…even materials came out of his own pocket …however…it goes even further…my dad along with a bunch of the other contractors in the area did a bunch of work on a big name hotel in town ….by the time it was all finished and payment was to be expected ….never came…..the owner had sold the hotel during the construction time frame and had the paperwork done somehow to where even the new owners didn’t have to pay…it took 4 years to finally receive the $32,000 in tile my dad paid for on his own and was told by the judge be happy ur getting that…and had to write off $35,000 in labor and remaining materials…the other contractors got the same legal remedy…if I hadn’t said something to my dad about ho ththe law works with contractors and working on real estate and commercial property…they all would have been shite out of luck…the time frame was about up for them to be able to file the Liens and find the guy and drag him to court…it cost my dad a ton of money to go through this process but for the amount he would have lost totally…that hotel owner took the local contracting economy for almost a million…idk how much the nonlocals lost..but the hotel owner is filthy rich and knows how to do this ….he was also from a different culture that is notorious for doing this kind of criminal act….alot of these people got wealthy by defrauding a community in this way…so my dad from that point on, was careful who he did work for even more then before…if it weren’t for the return customers throughout his life that liked him and trusted him and continuously had work for him to do…they were the bread and butter and they came first over new customers…my dad would drop what he was doing and go take care of something for them because they paid immediately without any complaint and were always happy with his work…he has keys to their homes…and they were all in careers like dentistry or the mayor…..
So it entails a lot of bs that someone employed with a company doesn’t have to deal with…and once u have been burned bad enough, u can’t not have these kinds of attitudes towards things…being self employed contractors especially…is hard work and even harder work finding honest customers…
Yup
Yeah, we make well above his “upper-class” income and I’d never hire this guy based on his ego.
Respectfully disagree. As on ‘older’ self employed person, much of what he said resonated with me. Tons of wisdom in what he said.
Sounds like you're jealous
My friend owned his own custom screen company. He only catered to wealthy customers.
Be aware, some rich people are incredibly cheap so don’t be surprised if a wealthy customer tries to negotiate your price down.
I am happy to pay someone well if he does quality work. Too many people cut corners and deliver work that someone else has to redo or repair.
You are describing urban upper class. Rural upper class makes or has made the ssme money as their urban counterparts, but enjoy the satisfaction of taking care of their own affairs. I retired at age 53. I built my own house, fix my own vehicles, take care of my own animals, and take care of pretty much every aspect of my needs.
The median home price in the USA is almost half a million dollars. The middle is a lot wider than it used to be.
There's really just rich people and working people now.
@@stickyfox The 2 class system is definitely making a resurgence, but there is still fertile ground for a middle class. I would recommend getting out of the super cities for a start.
I was a remodeling contractor in Annapolis Maryland for over 25 years from the mid 80's onward and I learned this very early in my career. My favorite clients didn't own any tools and couldn't care less about them. They wanted the job done right with minimal stress and price was not important because they were accustomed to paying higher money for better service.
The problem is the price quotes on many items are just plain ol stupidly insane. Let me give a prime example- I had a quote to install an exterior front door. 30x 84 standard door- nothing out of the ordinary. Quoted 3,500$ in LABOR ONLY. GTFOH with that bullshit.
@@bigbob3772 I had almost the exact same experience. Crazy.
@@bigbob3772 yeah I do a lot of my own work, thankfully I know how to do a decent amount. I hate installing doors but I'm probably gonna have to do the front door myself with how crazy prices are these days...it's not that I cannot afford it, I simply cannot justify blowing that kind of cash I could spend on cigars and scotch.
I was quoted $7K to remove popcorn and another $8k to paint the interior of a 3bd2Ba.
Was quoted 18k by another gentleman to do that and fix drywall issues. I am just under this threshold but it's interesting to hear tradesmen discuss abandoning the middle class for a growing luxury class...
The bifurcation will be accelerated by advances in AI but I think that many newly minted wealthy will be rocked by the next downturn.
@@bigbob3772 yeah, and they would do it in 4 hours or less
Im so broke I cant even afford to watch this channel.
This is why I fix almost everything myself and I have to have a garage full of tools.
Most of what the common tradesmen do is much harder to do for commercial customers and complicated buildings.
Just about everything in my home is easily serviceable, with the exception of my HVAC unit.
HVAC is much more simple than most people think, once you are shown what to do.
The way I see it is, you spend the same amount of money but it's done right and you get tools and experience as a bonus.
That means you got allot of time on you, a real electrical job will take you aproximately two weaks but if it is something small of course you can do yourself. What is he talking about are long job so unless you do it at weekend or off work you will lose money. I work as Trade man and I hired a guy in eastren europe to do my houses since I am in the UK and he only does some work on each house like gross cutting cleaning some rooms and he does it when he is off work as over time and yet for that little work I pay him 340 dollars a month, in that country the sallary is only 600 euros a month but I pay him for more than anyone so he is soo keen to work for me because it is extra money in a very short time. A trade man will pay good money to another trade man or workers because he knows the value of time and money.
@@DFREMbowman - Agreed. Unless you need to open up/charge/etc. the sealed refrigerant system, most HVAC repairs can be done by the average homeowner with common tools.
@@chiplangowski3298
100%
I am certified and still call out. Hvac if the charge needs service.
I respect the hustle handyman … I’m just surprised that nobody else is picking up on the fact that this video is basically just a paid advertisement for jobber.
still love your videos… but I am onto you handyman…
other people noticed. Handyman is getting straight to the point these days. That is...he's making money. Cashing in on those years of great content.
i agree this guy is a scam
Agreed.
It was very obvious to me too.
But I let it pass cause he gave such good advice
I wish I can get somewhat popular on RUclips and just sell out
Truth. I own a window cleaning company. Changed my focus from middle class to high end homes 5 years ago. I make more in 1 day then i did cleaning 5 houses per day. Some people have insane money. I live by the beach and some of these millionaires just say " i don't care what it costs just clean them".
Sometimes they say "I don't care how much it costs" then they complain about it when you give them the bill
What a bummer. Just this morning I was telling my wife how valuable things and services were becoming less and less available to us middle class people. It's either high-end or cheap. No in-between. Then I see this and it just buffers my belief. You gotta do what you must and I wish you well. I just wish the elites weren't taxing us up to our throats and keeping the good stuff for themselves. In fact, our taxes are being paid to them.
So, you’re implying he should accept a lower income? Why would anyone do that for the same work?
@AlexofAddison No I am not saying that. What I am saying is that services and free time are less and less available to the middle and working classes
I've learned over the years it's really hard to find someone reliable to work on my house. There's a trade shortage, so most competent people are pricing themselves outside of the middle class. If you want to own a home in the middle class, you're either going to sacrifice a lot to pay for upper class services, or you're going to learn to do most of the work yourself. There really isn't much in between there. I've had to learn a lot so far. The last battle was HVAC repair after the tech that was supposed to fix it couldn't diagnose a bad control board. I paid $600 for a new wire drop, thermostat, and time attempting to diagnose a problem only to get AC and heat would turn on at the same time. The funny thing is, the only possible part left it could have been at that point was the control board or improper wiring of the control board. Any competent tech should have had that diagnosed pretty quick. I watched a videos to figure out how the wiring goes, checked that. It was fine. I ordered up a new board and swapped that out. HVAC fixed! I've had similar experiences about half the time I pay for any work. More and more, I just do it myself instead. Now I do most of the minor electrical repairs (light switch / socket replacement), small plumbing repairs, patching drywall, and all those normal day to day repairs that would normally be racking up $xxx bills. I'm going to have to get into roof repair soon, and that'll probably be my biggest project yet. That will save me thousands.
I used to worry that I was just a medical emergency away from being financially crippled. Then, it was the dentist that started giving me this fear. Now, it's just about everything. It's a crazy world.
Your advice might apply to a tiny percentage of handymen who are knee-deep in rich people but the vast majority of workers are surrounded by the middle-class. Your strategy might work well for you and a small minority of other service businesses but would prove disastrous for most. In my opinion.
Absolutely. There are pockets of wealth all over the country but if you don't live in one of them this doesn't apply.
Ugh I agree. I am in a "middle class" area of NYC and everyone is chasing the 1% in certain parts of Manhattan. I have money to spend but apparently aren't important enough for some of these people to notice or care about. It's sort of ridiculous and has to do with the housing bubble and inflation and job market bubble that just popped.
I just had a rich guy give me a brand new power washer with a honda gx motor. He said can't get it started I'm not a handyman. Needed a little carb cleaner. Rich folks are my Favorite. They blow so much cash.
Important caveat. If you end up working for someone who “appears to be wealthy“ you will possibly run into issues. I was upgrading all of this guys switches to paddle type switches and I would charge $14 per switch. After I did half of his house he came to me and thought I should do them for $3.50 per switch. I asked him how he came up with that number and he said “because of how fast I was doing it“ he ended up being very argumentative with me and I told him to call an electrician. 😅
Thats the main problem with these rich people, they try to change the rules when you are already done a certain amout of the work. Thats not how it works, you have to make it clear to them.
I had some similar story. I let some learning student to some of the work. The customer refuse to pay the signed amout because have of the work wasnt done by me. Who cares, just a lousy excuse.
Whats the difference if i put 500kg of materials up and down to the 3 floor. Or if some student did it. Doesnt matter at all.
Tell them you can take them all back out and we'll part ways. I've offered this and they always backed down
@@Vintagebleu yeah, I probably would’ve said something like that, but he called me in the evening after he had his bourbon and made a couple mild threats. So I just told him I’m done with him.
I’ve had issues working for white collar people. Specifically a Dr. Always trying to get extras for free, trying to change agreed price , or simply not paying. I ended that relationship.
This is a terrible human concept and you will rrap what you sow. Things tend to manifest in ways that you dont expect them to. I'm not telling anyone to work for free but people... help your neighbors. Lift up the people surrounding you and they will find a way to do the same.
Totally agree.
I tried that but when you are the one with skill, it never come back around, you have to get paid a fair amount for your skills and tools. Overhead for a licensed contractor is insane.
Funny how people in the comments are frothing at basic supply and demand stuff. Supply for competent trades men is down. Therefore one can afford to charge much higher prices and still find work.
If someone can get enough work to work 40 hours a week (or how ever much they want) charging $150/hour, then why would they ever willingly work 40 hours a week doing the same work charging $75/hour. This man isn't a charity and no one else is here. People are just upset he is more financially well off and has been able to market himself better. I do charitable work for free in my off time when I feel up to it, not in my day to day work life.
All great advice.
I quit working for the public. The middle class pays on time, but most of them can't afford my quality craftsmanship. The rich took up a lot of my time with talk about grandiose plans and lots of work, but wanted to pay half of the agreed upon price after completion. I built projects for a TV series for several years, so I know my worth. I'm chilling on my mountain farm now, just building timberframes, log cabins, and furniture for my family and friends. I've never been happier. Screw the public.
I worked commissioned sells in appliances and middle always come in for a good sale and buy without issue. Rich come in and hound for more off and extra things. I really dreaded dealing with people who had money.
How did you get the jobs for those builds? Just went for it?
I think you mean "screw capitalism" heh
What TV series?
@@Hunterslammer Salvage Dawgs
My friend will never do a kitchen for less than $100K. He has the kind of customers that will spend 25K on cabinets and after installing them, they just change their minds and want their other choice. They are more than happy to pay another 35K to get what they want. I ended up doing my own kitchen with fantastic cabinets that someone else paid for.
That's complete horseshit. The upper income will hire "handy manny" for as cheap as they can.
In sales they say "You can't fix broke or stupid". In the roofing business in Florida you have homeowners who hang on to the check they receive from the insurance company trying to figure out how they can screw the contractor whom they signed with out of some of that money . Never mind that the insurance company already pays the minimum amount that can fix the roof AND keep the contractor in business so that the next time a storm hits the contractor is available to help fix the thousands of roofs that need to be replaced. Still the homeowner wants to get a "discount". Basically they want you to take a loss AND PAY THEM in order to fix their house.
This is a logical response to the deeping bifurcation of wealth in our country. It means we tradies don't make our living answering the needs of our communities but by satisfying the whims of the richest amongst us.
Favorite middle class post on forums : "Looking for a reasonably priced contractor to do xyz." Never do work for people who prioritize price over quality. They inevitably end up unhappy with the work even though they got what they requested.....reasonably priced.
So true
If the first question they have is about price I know they're not a customer for me. Majority of my customers talk about what they want me to build and their ideas, design etc and they're just glad I'm available and willing to do it. The price is just a minor technical detail
Bullsoup!!! I hope people needing work done read this $tupidity you are saying here. All of you laborers charge WAY TOO MUCH for a quick simple job whether installing a fan, picking up brush, doing a driveway soddering a 1/2 pipe in 15 minutes for $450/00 etc. You should be asnamed of yourselves instead cutting out the peop the want to pay a fair price.
God forbid someone on a budget be price conscious. News flash, without customers you have no job.
@UToobin75 Fortunately for every 1 customer that tries to haggle over prices and complain about the final product just because they want a discount, there are 20 customers perfectly happy with our prices and quality. So in the current market it is reasonable to be picky over who you choose to do work for. I'm just here to make money taking the path of least resistance
This is straight, honest business advice aimed at tradesman, not a commentary on any class of people, per se.
Thanks for the comment. I though that I made it pretty clear that I was just sharing my experiences and letting people know what has worked for me. Its nice to know some one got the message.
Reading the comments and you are pretty much the first one that nailed it.
I mean he is pretty much telling experienced tradesmen that if you got the skills and know-how, there's a valuable market for those skills.
I hear you. I'm an upholsterer, but I only do boat upholstery. Doesn't pay to mess with any other kind of customer.
I always had issues with the upper class 80% of them ( Scottsdale, AZ) the middle class was much more easy to work with and more money with them, also they really leave you alone to do your work also offer food and drinks, upper class real pain watching every step, most of them would not allow you to use their restroom I had to travel to the nearest gas station to relieve myself, Also did UBER just few hours a week night time upper class bunch of scumbags, middle class great people and good tippers. Now I am retired.
Agreed. The wealthy will be the first ones to stiff you and hide behind a lawyer.
Middle class died off in the early 80s.
You can thank Reaganomics for that.
After 35 yrs in construction, I wish someone like you were on YT around for my first decade(88-98). But 20 yrs of mistakes and successes has its advantages and trained a lot of muscle memory. Thanks for the confirmations. You ain’t lying’!
Can't believe all the information and efficiency advantages now, started in '88.
As a landscaper/groundskeeper that dont work for the rich, and in fact droped my rates by almost half for the middle and poor folks in these hard times. I did this as i find the wealthy dont want to pay proper rates and in fact are the worst about on time payments. The middle they just pay me on time whatever i ask, and are appreciative of the work done. I dont tell them i lowered my rates(i reduced rates by almost half). They have a tendency to tip me the amount that i cut out. The poor i allow whatever they can pay. Those that cant i gift them the work. Im not a man of means. all my needs are taken care of and i help my community by working as though i was workin for Jesus himself. In efect i do mow and go prices with manicure work, a thankful atitude, and smile on my face. Ill never be wealthy but im unimaginably rich in love and life. I also have very loyal clients.
Let's face it, our boy isn't an Atticus Finch.
The reason most of us prefer emails/texts, is we have everything in writing for the event that something goes south. A majority of my clients are upper class or the top 1% - as i mentioned in another response, the more honest and upfront/direct you are with your fee's (time/labor & material costs - because the upper class actually respects and understands the cost/worth of time) and stick to your word/agreement - the more they will want to work with you and will pass your name onto their friends/colleagues. I have bounced from Graphic Design, ASE Auto Tech, Art Gallery Director, and now primarily work in IT Configuration & deployment - love learning new skills and being able to re-adjust where the market favors.
Exactly what I was saying the other day. $100k today is like $50k 10 years ago. Really just enough not to sink below the poverty line. You really need 200-300k now to be comfortably getting ahead - which is only really feasible as a contractor or in certain high paying specialties. Doing stuff for yourself is pretty much opting out of capitalism because your wages aren’t good enough.
I would go so far as to say 5 years.
$100k as a self employed person is a lot more, if you have a good tax person.
I've ran into credit rich people with multimillion dollar houses, I still go by word of mouth and set a bid and upfront payment. Rich or well off people will sue you for anything and people refuse to pay. There's so many things wrong. Mid.
Meh, I think this can be a little misleading. The upper middle class is my wheelhouse. I find the jobs are “clean”. You’re in and your out. The upper upper class isn’t stupid, they know you are over charging. They will undoubtedly expect beyond your scope of work, and change orders go over like lead balloons. Getting your final payment can be a negotiation with “old money” customers who know the game.
charge by the hour. That's what I do about 80% of the time. I'm talking about doing shit that's open ended and basically impossible to price. Change order? no problem. Just keep the clock running. Obviously the hourly rate has to be good money.
@@blackdogproductions2044 that works. I actually bill by line item now. I try not to show my hourly rate cause im expensive but fast. For instance you can charge $125 - $150 to change a ceiling fan but i can do it in 35 min, so its better for me that t&m.
@@blackdogproductions2044 I charge $150/hr or more, if I tell a customer that they wont want to pay, but If I charge by the project they never have a problem with it.
The world is becoming more specialized, not sure if it is good or bad but I've faced this problem myself. Waste time on chores/diy fixes and repairs or focus 100% on career and just make more money to pay someone else to do it. The problem even when making $150k a year is paying people like this guy is out of the question without saving up 2-3months for a specific project. I found I like learning these non-tech skills so end up doing most everything on my own.
It's hard to fault anyone for chasing money. If you're middle class, there isn't any other option anymore - you have to learn how to DIY. The going labor rates are high and will only go higher.
gotta get that carrot on the stick for your wealthy overlords
Half my work is fixing DIY attempts. It take YEARS to be good at this and sometimes dont realize you screwed yourself doing something wrong until years have passed. Do you DIY when you need a lawyer, accountant or doctor?
@@vids595 I do better quality work than the average "handyman", who rushes through jobs, doing the bare minimum they can to get paid.
And yes, I do DIY my taxes. Haven't been to a doctor in years because I stay in great health, so you could call that DIY too.
loving all your content and info
Had a friend how was a handyman. He also worked in higher end parts of the city and loved working for the people because he said they almost never haggled over the price he quoted them. He itemized and was fair with his costs and labor so he's doing pretty good.
Well In some cases this is true, I went from the middle class customers to the upper class and there just as bad they nickel and dime you just as much as the middle class do I give them a set price and they want it cheaper I tell them it’s gonna be an hourly job and they try to tell me well that should only take you and hour right, but it’s a 4 hour job smh
None of that ever happens to me? I'm wondering what the difference is. Usually I could charge anything and they'd pay it no questions asked.
@@blackdogproductions2044
Yea that was my thought I have clients that are heart surgeons, dentist, and regular er doctors and that all ask so how much is that gonna cost and I tell them and they raise an eye, now I have a NFL customer now that is a different story he calles me for whatever and says when your done send my assistant the invoice, or if he’s home he’ll just pay cash no questions asked.
My family has been in business for over 50 years designing and installing kitchen and baths. The middle class is our bread and butter. From my experience the richer people pose to be the more they nickel and dime you. The key word is “pose”. When you are in business for a while you get poser radar. For those customers I make sure I charge enough and more.
Very valuable lesson! Goldmine of information.
Great video !!!
That’s because when you get used to working for rich people you don’t want to go back to regular people.
Can’t hate the dude for putting value in what he does.
You are spot on. We are in the middle class and you got us pegged lol. I'm not offended and can see your perspective. Bravo on your ty channel and expanding your income abilities. You add value to your community in many ways. I'm new to your channel but am in the process of helping my husband gain the confidence and know-how he needs to get out of employee status and into self employment again. We did this for 10 years in the past in a different service industry, cleaning. The last few years he's made the same amount of money doing hourly work in carpentry but works way harder physically in very extreme weather conditions. It's been awesome to watch him grow into his naturally abilities. There's a huge demand for his services in the self employment sector so we're going in. Your work is helping us to get out of this stressful and doomed lifestyle. On behalf of our family thank you and keep up the great work!!!!
Love the hat!!
I 100% am on your side of this. I was a contract welder. Inflation came and they went up 2 dollars. Lets just say i changed professions.
Excellent advice. Here in Canada, for every 5 people retiring from the trades, only 2 are entering trade school. Tradespeople are in high demand in most cities, and it’s often impossible to find a competent person to do small jobs in your home. It’s a great time to be a handyman, if you’re smart.
I’m in Canada too.
What happened to the trades. I’m more Industrial. Tool and Die Maker.
When I first started the trade there was high demand for tool and die makers. In the 80’s and 90’s still strong demand. PM Brian Mulroney sold out manufacturing here in Ontario. The year was 1994. Was still strong to 2000. As 2000 hit companies where closing shop and moving to Mexico because of the NAFTA agreement. In my city we had 17 to 20 companies close up. Well established companies. With NAFTA did not need a Canadian Head Office. Under the Auto PAC with Canada and the USA. This worked fine for years because the car had to have 50 % content to enter Canada duty free. The spoiler was the NAFTA agreement.
So back to year 2000, with all these companies closing we had more Tool and Die Makers then there where jobs. Some tool and die makes got out of the trade.
With no demand for Tool and Die Makers from 2000 to 2012 no young person trained to be a Tool and Die Maker.
After 2014/2015 things picked up a bit. Companies where again looking to hire Tool and Die Makers. Could not find no one. Because for years no one trained as one. Why would I train to be a tool and die maker with no jobs to go too.
So these companies complained to the Federal Canadian Government. The solution was to go to India to get Tool and Die Makers which they been doing for 5 years now.
See how the Government killed off companies only to raid other countries for Tool and Die Makers.
Isn't this the guy who charges his customers a $100 bucks to reset a GFI and somehow has a clean conscious.
My prices have gone up. Its a minimum of $350 to get your gfi reset.
And worth every penny of it!
😂😂😂thanks for the laugh handy. You deserve every penny. A lifetime of hard labor deserves some easy money here and there.
With the current cost of gasoline, a $100 home visit might not be so unreasonable.
@@droolbunnyxo9565any money to reset without figuring out why is too much 🤷🏻♀️
I’m not sure I agree… set price and doesn’t matter what class you are in…. I’ve definitely had more problems with rich customers over hard working middle class folks….middle class tip/overpay way more often the rich do….
Times must be getting tough for the "upper class" these are the people I have the hardest time getting compensation for my labor.
Ft.Worth Texas
Sad but true inflation is killing the poor and the middle class
Good for you got it figured out. You should be proud!
You can charge whatever you want if you just respond to leads and show up.
A lot of bunk! Go with what's happening. Go with the people you like and be discerning with crappy attitude people. They can get someone else. You need not worry about class. You be the class and your reward will be multiplied by doing service where it's needed.
People in Chicago think $500 a day is to much. Your right doing jobs for the middle class suck.
Oof. $500 is nothing, that was nothing 20 years ago...
90% of people do not make anywhere near $500 a day.
@@Ziegfried82
Right! Most businesses won't touch anything under 1k. Plumbers here get $150 just to ring the doorbell and that's before they do any work. I asked the plumber does $150 go towards the work. Nope. I have a tree that needs to be taken down. I got quotes from 4-8k. I think $500 is fair but for cheapskates is to much. For some jobs I would be happy to pay $500 for 8hrs.
If you want to go after that high end customer, you have to high end work also. The expectations are high. You need a modern truck, nice work clothes , workers that arent drunks or meth heads, and again, you need to be able to delivery craftsmanship period
I'm not in the business. If I pour a lower middle class single stall drive for $12k, a middle class double stall drive for $25k, and a upper middle class custom drive for $100k, why limit oneself to a sector?
Very true Handyman
Wait so near him hes surrounded by upper class, but he hangs toilet seats up in his garage like trophies 🏆? I must be missing something
When I got serious about my business and started doing it full-time one of the biggest things I had to come to terms with was that I needed to raise my pricing. A lot of people do not like pricing themselves high because they think they're not worth it and they've got to get over that. Once you get in with the right people it is amazing how much money you can charge for your work and they will readily pay it. In fact the more they're willing to pay the easier it is to collect on the bill. The tighter they are with the purse-strings then the more work you have to put into just getting paid which makes it even worse because you're now being underpaid and having to do extra work just to get it.
Your time & service is valuable, go where they respect it.
Inflation? So you inflate as well? Hmm. I see a trend here.
Right? I do his old profession and I can tell you simply there too many people out there getting paid more than their worth
I’m upper class by your definition I’m at 4x your quoted dollar amount and neighborhood qualify.
I’m also Gen-X and Hispanic. I do just about everything around my house. I do three things really good. HVAC, Drywall and concrete. I trade those out with fellow trades people. There is a majority of suckers that make themselves useless in the young. The shyt you do is stupid simple. Telling the young to be useless is very self serving.
Good info thank you
LoL I don't even trust mechanics to change my oil anymore. Drove home to find that they never screwed back on my engine oil cap and over tightened my oil plug with a torque wrench. Hired contractors to redo my kitchen years ago and they still F'd it up, (they made a wrong cut on the granite) and there was a lot of back and forth on whether or not they were going to fix their mistake. They originally wanted to leave it as saying I wouldn't even notice it. Recently the quotes I'm getting from dealership mechanics for parts alone don't make sense, I'm being upcharge for stock parts for a little over double the actual value. And now random handymen want the big bucks for who knows what quality of work. NO THANK YOU. I've been only hiring from referrals from friends and neighbors based off the work they've had done.
Facts! Here in the burbs of Chicago sky’s the limit with what you can charge. I’ll add these personal observations:
People pay other people to hang/remove holiday decorations AND pick up the dog poop from their yards. The last one blew me away.
Those are some good ones. I know guys that work 7 days a week hanging Christmas lights that time of year.
I took a different approach. I quit working for customers completely. Running my own pluming company for 15 years I learned very quickly that homeowners are a giant pain in the ass, regardless of class.
Instead, I started working exclusively for contractors. Set prices. No bidding. No designing. No dealing with customers. Show up, do the the job, and get paid. Best decision I've ever made. Retired at 45.
@@TheHandymanBusiness That in and of itself would be a fun job.
RUclipsrs are actually salespeople. Everyone of them has a product you can’t live without, and they’re very good at pushing it - respect ✊.
lol
I like the Jerky Boys reference in your Jobber page!😂
Good intel.
I never work for anyone who doesn't have infinite money. There's just no point if I can't make at least 6 figures on a drywall patch.
Six figures on a drywall patch. LOL. Good one.
Well I’m decently into
“upper class”
….I have no need for a “handyman”
Who wants some blue collar hero goon touching their house anyways.
Good luck working till your body gives up.
Save…a lot 😂
Yeah, being able to work on your own house, cars, yard is becoming increasingly valuable.
I love your bluntness. Real talk.❤❤❤😊
I am in Australia and for the last decade and a half atleast, wages and benefits have fallen well behind while the upper class has steamed away.
True information. Although it makes me feel bad for people who make 50-75K and need something done, can’t do it themselves, and can’t afford to hire someone good.
The point is, as your experience or your business grows, you will eventually get the chance to phase out people who can't afford you or your time. Know your self-worth. Continuing to deal with mid class does nothing but hurt you if you know your self-worth is above what they can afford.
Ultimately, there's always an affordable guy. Just not this guy.
There are plenty of teenagers and young adults that are excited to learn new things and take on those jobs for cheap
@@joseph7105 I have been working steady for a couple years now doing just that. I have gained enough skill now to raise the prices. The problem with people now a days is they expect to start out a business making 300k their first year. Instant gratification. Real life doesn't work like that
@@MV-wb2cz Yeah don't want to pay their dues.
Eventually they will come to understand, after seeing he results of their DIY efforts and "handymen", that they cant afford not to hire a professional licensed contractor.
Humility in business is an essential part of it.
In 2007/2008, "handymen" like you were begging for work. From any class. Buckle up, you too will be begging anyone for business.
There will continue to be a worker shortage boomers where a huge generation and they are leaving in droves. The quality of jobs available will be the question i'm sure low class fast food , retail, janitorial work will be abundant. Trade skills will be lacking workers as well not enough going into it no doubt. 2008 was awfully bad but with a huge generation still at play there is going to be a big disruption because of this but lack of jobs may not be nearly as bad as that. Recession could happen and i personally don't think it will touch 2008.
Thank you for this insight. I want to be upper class. Not because of the money or status. But I value that type of thinking. Respecting my time more, by being more productive and paying for services that give myself back time. Middle class people do that. Great message of the middle income trap. It gave me more self awareness
I wish I would have known this from the beginning
You are correct
I offered minor mobile mechanic work on Craigslist for side gigs, and next thing I know I'm out in the burbs working on boats that I know nothing about 😂 and next to golf courses swapping out golf cart batteries. I'm not even a trained mechanic, but rich people will pay if you have the skills.
A vehicle is a vehicle - in the end the maintenance is the same (just some more involved than others). But as long as you're honest and upfront on your cost of time/labor (and always follow through), you will have endless clients
As we say in the plumbing business, "You can't get rich working for poor people." And, as you point out, now you can no longer work for the middle class and expect to get wealthy. Over the last twenty five years or so our business has gradually become focused on the wealthy suburbs. For them, time and quality are paramount. I have gotten a lot of very high paying jobs by simply saying, "We can do it today."
Why does it always have to be all about money? Why not enjoy your job and help people? Why do people just not care about ANYONE anymore? Its sad man.....
@@TheRusschannelWhat do you do for work?
Money buys freedom.
@TheRusschannel this is why socializing with neighbors and getting to know tradesmen is beneficial. Your buddies who ended up going off to college instead of trade school aren't going to be the ones who can help you in these scenarios.
@@TheRusschanneljoin the peace corps
Very interesting
Gotta make that money!
Great choice. Forget that trap. Thank you Handy! Great video. I like rich customers.
I did not know I’m upper class until this video and yet I feel poor.
I've been taking on handyman Jobs and it's been great . Pays more than Wrenching
Personally, I prefer to work for industrial customers because retail, no matter who, is a pain in the ***.
know your competition, know your market. Economic class is IRRELAVENT.
you've gotten good at making money.....on RUclips......slinging apps and whatnot. You made it.
What about working for 3-4 property management companies that tend to lease to the middle class? The property management companies tend to pay well for handymen services. Just curious what everyone else thinks.
I grew up lower middle class. My dad had a handy man business and I grew up working for him. I managed to do pretty well for myself. Had cancer twice, can't do my own work anymore
Live in a upscale gated community. I call it the gate tax. As soon as a contractor pulls in, the price goes up 30 to 50%.
It took a while, but I found some guys that work Monday - Friday for a company and do work for me on the weekends at reasonable prices.
Most of my neighbors pay the inflated price without even a question.