The Best Trade in 2024: Handyman Work

I wanted to write an article about the best trade in Quebec for 2025, namely that of the handyman. And it just so happens that I've been one for over 12 years. Does my statement surprise you? You're probably thinking I'm exaggerating to impress people. Well, no, I mean it, and it's almost embarrassing to be this lucky to practise this trade. This article shines a light on a trade that's far too often overlooked.

Looking for the best job in Quebec.

Like everyone in Quebec, I was looking for interesting, fulfilling, accessible, stable work that paid really well. So I finished university and took a nice job… in finance. Very far from being a handyman.

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My experience with the trade.

Hi, I'm Daniel, the founder of Beau-frère à louer, and I've decided to help renovation enthusiasts like you earn a good living by becoming an entrepreneur specializing in small and medium-sized renovation projects—in other words, a handyman. Over 12 years ago, I decided to drop everything and do things my own way to become a handyman.

You know what? I have only one regret: I should have done it much sooner.

So, if you have doubts about this trade, like my circle did back then, keep reading this article. I'm going to try to convince you that it's truly the most wonderful trade in the world.

An important clarification about this trade—it's for women as much as for men.

I'd like to clarify that I'm referring to the trade that here in Quebec we call a "handyman" and that in France they call a "Bricoleur" or "man of all trades." I want to stress that both women and men can practise it.

I'm going to try to convince you by debunking the five most common prejudices we hear.

The 5 reasons why the handyman trade should allegedly be avoided according to popular beliefs—and why they're wrong!

1. It's a trade for unskilled (manual) and uneducated people: False
2. It's a trade with miserable working conditions: False
3. It's a poorly paid trade: False
4. It's an unstable and precarious trade: False
5. It's not a trade for creating a profitable and prosperous business: False

First, the stereotype that this trade is for uneducated and unskilled people.

Nothing could be further from the truth! Good professional handymen are highly skilled workers who have spent years perfecting their trade, staying informed about new techniques, materials, and tools, because they face different situations every day. Of course, some work can be simpler than others, but being a handyman means you never stop learning.

The general practitioner of the home.

They play an increasingly important role, they take on the role of general practitioner for the home. They diagnose problems and advise clients who are hyper-specialised in one field and completely overwhelmed by everything involved in home maintenance and repairs. Often, they simply don't have the time or desire to deal with it. They want someone they can trust to look after their home for them.

Working conditions are poor

That's simply false! Handymen have the freedom to set their own schedules and work as they please. They are their own boss and can choose to work on projects and clients that interest them. In 12 years, I can count on my fingers the number of times I've worked evenings and weekends… Ask a doctor if they can say the same.

In this trade, you're in direct contact with your clients. The monetary reward is obviously there, be patient, we'll get to it soon, but the feeling of recognition you receive and the pleasure of seeing in your clients' faces that you're making a real difference in their lives. Few trades allow you to experience that every day.

This brings us to the stereotype that the handyman doesn't earn a good salary.

This time, it's more nuanced—in theory it's completely false, but in practice unfortunately we see it too often.

In theory (which in my view should be the norm)

Good handymen know how to stand out, build a stable client base, choose their clients and the work they accept. Handymen who know what they're doing earn incomes that could make quite a few professionals blush.

If you stand out through the quality of your services, you'll quickly become indispensable to your clientele and you'll have the opportunity to charge what you're truly worth.

A good handyman often earns much more than many prestigious trades requiring lengthy studies.

In practice now, why do most handymen and renovation entrepreneurs fail after only 3 years in business?

The all-purpose hamster wheel

The reason is simple, and I call it the "all-purpose hamster wheel." And I'm not smarter than anyone else—I spent my early years on that wheel too.

Here's how this wheel works.

Imagine a guy full of good intentions and passion, let's call him "Daniel"—it's purely a coincidence that he shares my first name.

1. Daniel knows he has the talent, tools, and passion for renovation. But since his name isn't really recognised in the market, except among his family and friends, he figures that to build a good reputation, it's normal to be willing to negotiate on price, accept work he doesn't really enjoy, and travel all over town for new clients.
2. Because he's accepted good prices and works on jobs others avoid, he's thrilled to see his schedule quickly fill up for the first few weeks.
3. But because he compromised on price and his time, he works like crazy to finish quickly and cash the first cheques. His cash flow is getting tight from buying materials for new jobs and losing the steady income he left behind a few weeks ago.
4. Because he's working like crazy, he no longer has time to find and choose new jobs that might be more profitable.
5. After some time, Daniel inevitably finds his schedule empty.
6. And guess what? To fix everything quickly, he accepts discounted work or jobs nobody else wanted… to "make a name for himself" and "invest in the future."

And here you can see me coming—the wheel starts a second turn… and a third turn… and one day Daniel, this all-purpose hamster, came very close to quitting the trade like many before him and like many will after. By the way, I won't go into details today, but I hope to tell you soon how our all-purpose hamster finally got out of his wheel.

This all-purpose hamster wheel is well-known and plenty of solutions are available to avoid it or at least get out of it as quickly as possible. I'll certainly address the subject quickly in a future article if you're interested. But I can tell you right now that it takes teamwork to make it. You can't wear all the hats.

So I don't leave you in unbearable suspense, here are 5 tips to get out of this vicious spiral:

1. Learn to delegate certain tasks, such as administrative management, marketing, or client prospecting.
2. Find a mentor or join an entrepreneur network to benefit from advice and support.
3. Offer specialised services that will help you stand out from the competition and attract clients willing to pay for your expertise.
4. Invest in your ongoing training to improve and stay current in your field.
5. Avoid creating stress with employees and unnecessary expenses. It's essential to manage your resources well and not overload yourself with responsibilities that could harm your well-being and efficiency. Without employees and by working in an organised way, you can maintain your freedom and fully enjoy your trade.

The last prejudice: it's not a good trade for creating a profitable and prosperous business.

Once again, theory (what should be the norm) and practice don't always line up. In my… I mean in the case of our all-purpose hamster, he thought he was building a nice business, and on the surface everything looked good: a big commercial condo, a receptionist, a bookkeeping clerk, two territory directors, over 15 handymen on the road, and revenues exceeding $1 million a year. But in reality, he nearly lost everything. That could also be the subject of a future article.

With hindsight and acquired experience, I realize how much this trade offers all the advantages to become profitable very quickly, if you know how to avoid my mistakes, keep a simple structure, and recognise what's profitable and what just looks profitable.

And here's what's truly profitable: working alone from home and focusing on building loyalty among clients in your neighbourhood.

First, expenses are very limited.

– No office and associated fees to pay.

– No specialised tools to acquire and finance.

– No employees to pay.

– No inventory to support.

Moreover, revenues are very attractive

– Directly related to our talent, our hourly rate can easily exceed $80/h.

– Clientele you can help multiple times a year and for many years.

– No client accounts. Work completed = payment received.

– Client requests are numerous and more than sufficient.

The advantage of the trade is that the handyman can count on: "Repeat Business"

Regardless of the type of business and especially among renovation businesses, one of the challenges is constantly renewing your client list week after week and year after year. The kitchen specialist can't redo their client's kitchen next month.

The good handyman knows how to build client loyalty and knows how to help them over the years to come with maintenance, repairs, renovations, and even home cleaning, thus becoming indispensable in their eyes. All this allows him to develop recurring services and have his clientele in his neighbourhood.

In conclusion: The "Very Best" trade in the world!

In conclusion, being a handyman allows you to be your own boss, manage your activities from home, not have to worry about employees, work for people in your neighbourhood, have different days every day, earn a good living, and receive your clients' gratitude day after day… and for years to come. So, if that isn't the "very best" trade in the world…

Beau-frère à louer, do you know us? We might be a great option for you!

Forget traditional renovation jobs!

https://www.connect-forces.com/appointment/1You're not certain and you'd like to study our different banners before becoming one of our new partners, here's a list of links. It's up to you to compare:

• Beau-frère à louer
• PatchNPaint
• Cabanon-Remise A9

Several opportunities are available

Greater Montréal areas

Capital region areas

Trois-Rivières

Gatineau

I have an invitation for you.

If you want to become your own boss by offering a handyman service as an entrepreneur, because like me, you love the trade, I invite you to reach out to me by email or book an appointment on our website through my calendar for a 15-minute call to discuss your project together.

https://www.connect-forces.com/appointment/1

Online form to get more information:

Website: https://www.connect-forces.com/

Phone: 514-666-2328

More articles coming

To learn more about the handyman trade and the franchise, here are some articles I'll be writing that might interest you. Come back to check for updates.

• Why the best way to make money is to avoid hiring employees?
• What's the best protection against lack of work?
• What to do when a client isn't satisfied with your service or rates?
• How to make sure your rates are right?
• Planning your home-based business?
• What makes a good work organization for a self-employed entrepreneur?https://www.connect-forces.com/