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

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.

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.

That's why us middle class need to know how to fix our own homes

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Im so broke I cant even afford to watch this channel.

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.

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”.

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 !

Sounds like you are a legend in your own mind!!!!

That's good leaves the middle class for me, I got more work than I need and still bringing more work in

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.

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.

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.

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.

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".

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 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…

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.

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.

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.

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. 😅

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.

Middle class died off in the early 80s.

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.

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.

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

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!!!!

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.

Isn't this the guy who charges his customers a $100 bucks to reset a GFI and somehow has a clean conscious.

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."

This is straight, honest business advice aimed at tradesman, not a commentary on any class of people, per se.

I hear you. I'm an upholsterer, but I only do boat upholstery. Doesn't pay to mess with any other kind of customer.

That’s because when you get used to working for rich people you don’t want to go back to regular people.

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.

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.

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.

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’!

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 love your bluntness. Real talk.❤❤❤😊

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.

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'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.

Your time & service is valuable, go where they respect it.

Can’t hate the dude for putting value in what he does.

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.

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.

I like the Jerky Boys reference in your Jobber page!😂

loving all your content and info

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.

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.

Good for you got it figured out. You should be proud!

Very valuable lesson! Goldmine of information.

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.

Inflation? So you inflate as well? Hmm. I see a trend here.

Middle class is struggling

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 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.

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

You can charge whatever you want if you just respond to leads and show up.

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

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.

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.

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 agree starting out from scrap the amount of tools needed which can limit the work you do no matter how good or talented you are or how much hustles in you + the commute time and gas, and now there is a calculated going rate that is really low...appreciate your content!

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.

I've been taking on handyman Jobs and it's been great . Pays more than Wrenching

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.

Do you get sponsorships directly or do you go through an agency that helps find the sponsors? I'm hearing both from other creators and thinking of joining an agency that finds them (where they ONLY take a cut of the sponsorship deal)

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.

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 😂

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.

I wish I would have known this from the beginning You are correct

Sad but true inflation is killing the poor and the middle class

People in Chicago think $500 a day is to much. Your right doing jobs for the middle class suck.

More upper class can't change a car tire.

I want to get a client list of upper class. That way when sh*t goes sideways I know who to knock off.

Hey I like popping in here to let you know I’m 1 1/2 years into my business because of you handyman! I’m 24 now about to be 25 and this year we’re looking to pass 120k….. that’s insane I was broke af 2 years ago and you inspired me tremendously. God bless you man!

Oh my! I'm gonna have to come back for the cry baby comments on this one 😂😂

Great video !!!

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.

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.

Very true Handyman

Love the hat!!

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

you've gotten good at making money.....on KZfaq......slinging apps and whatnot. You made it.

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….

😮 .. is that an old gateway gaming laptop? that shiny exterior shell looks familiar lol

Thumbnail looks like David Spade started a home improvment show.

KZfaqrs are actually salespeople. Everyone of them has a product you can’t live without, and they’re very good at pushing it - respect ✊.

I’m sure you’re a real pleasure to be around lol

Your comments on what defines high income is an exact description of the neighborhood where I do 90% of my work!

You better hope that the doctors in your area don’t adopt the same philosophy.

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.

You can't blame people for trying to find someone they can afford.

I'll stick to my three week on three weeks off. Have fun grinding.