It’s great to be able to be the one that people call on when they need something done around the house. But if you have the type of skills that are in demand in this regard, you might be able to earn a great living as a private contractor.

All across the country, people spend thousands of dollars on home remodels each year. And unless you’re a licensed contractor, you might be missing out on a big paycheck that often comes along with large-scale jobs. 

While it’s true that everyone can use a handyman from time to time, it’s also true that if you have the necessary skills, you should be getting paid for what you’re worth. 

If you’re looking to establish yourself as a private contractor and take your handyman skills to the next level, the following will provide a pathway for you to follow. 

Make it Official 

If you’re going to be an official contractor operating in your community, you’re going to need proof that you have the skills to work on a variety of jobs. And having proof of your skills means getting licensed. 

In many states across the country, you won’t be allowed to legally work on jobs exceeding a value of over 10,000 dollars in some cases unless you have the proper contractor licensing. And though you might be fine with working on small jobs, wouldn’t raking in a 50,000 dollar paycheck be rather nice? 

Once you’re officially licensed as a contractor, you can begin networking with larger construction companies, city planners, government contractors, and commercial developers to work on bigger paying jobs. And this in itself is worth going out to get your license. 

Build a Local Reputation 

After you’re licensed and certified in your trade, it’s time to get out there and start building relationships within your community. After all, if nobody knows you exist aside from your neighbors, how will you ever gain any business?

Relationship building lends itself to reputation building. In fact, the two go hand-in-hand. And in order to do this, you’ll need to go out and mingle with the right people.

To begin with, you might start by seeking out professionals within your own trade, or in a trade that complements yours. For example, if you’re specializing in framing houses, you might choose to network with roofing contractors or plumbers, or with those who specialize in laying foundations.

The more professionals you’re able to surround yourself with, the more credibility you’ll be able to gain. And once your name gets tossed around a bit, you’ll become an established figure within your community. Once you’ve accomplished this, it’s time to market yourself. 

Branching Out with Marketing 

You may have all the skills that you need to get the big jobs done. But if you don’t have any marketing skills, your competition might begin landing the jobs that you’ve had your eyes on. 

Every business needs a sound marketing plan. And as a contractor, you need to let the public know who you are and what you can do. 

You might begin by taking out a local ad in a community directory, or purchase airtime on a local radio or television station. Or you could build a website and start sharing your work on social media. 

The more people who know that you exist only increases the likelihood of your phone ringing for potential work. And the more time you spend marketing yourself, the better able you’ll be to secure a living as a private contractor in your industry. 

Building a business is hard work. And only those who persist and consistently make strides to advance their careers end up on top. Even if you build decks or if you specialize in landscaping, getting a contractor’s license and establishing yourself is your ticket to landing the big jobs and securing your future.