Step 2 - Setting Up Your Handyman Business Archives - Page 2 of 3 - How to Start a Handyman Business

Posted by srbobc

· April 3, 2012

Unless you’ve had a lot of experience with taxes, you may want to have a tax preparer complete your first year’s tax returns. In subsequent years you can often prepare your own taxes by following last year’s example. I have found that after the chart of accounts has been set up properly your bookkeeping system simply requires maintenance. Bookkeeping software…

What Should My Chart of Accounts Look Like?

Posted by srbobc

· April 3, 2012

Since the 1040 Schedule C is your basic profit and loss statement, I set up my chart of accounts to match the Schedule C as closely as possible. You should need very few categories that aren’t listed on the Schedule C. If your state has a sales tax and you have differing tax rates in your area you should break…

Do I Need to Keep a Mileage Log?

Posted by srbobc

· April 3, 2012

Yes. At the time of this writing, IRS Form 2106 instructions (for 2008 returns) had this to say about record keeping for your vehicle: “You cannot deduct expenses for travel…unless you keep records to prove the time, place, (and) business purpose…of these expenses.” I keep a small spiral notebook in the visor of my truck. Each morning I list the…

Are Labor and Materials Sales Subject to Sales Tax?

Posted by srbobc

· April 3, 2012

Since every state has different guidelines, the best suggestion I can make is to use the local state sales tax office as a resource and follow their instructions to the letter. I am lucky enough to have a state office located in our city so I opened my account in person and asked a lot of questions. Collecting the correct…

How Should I Manage My Money for Taxes?

Posted by srbobc

· April 3, 2012

Many business people have found that in their first year in business, the biggest challenge is keeping the doors open and paying the bills. The second year another problem arises…how to pay all of the income tax! Because there is a lot more money flowing in the second year they find themselves spending too much and having too much fun. …

Can I Open a SEP-IRA Retirement Account?

Posted by srbobc

· April 3, 2012

According to the IRS; businesses, corporations and self-employed individuals can open retirement accounts including the SEP-IRA. As a self-employed handyman the amount you can contribute is dependent on your profit for the year. It is not easy to calculate your allowable contribution. Always looking for a bargain, I opened a SEP-IRA at one of the large discount mutual fund families. …

About Invoicing and Billing for Handyman Work

Posted by srbobc

· April 3, 2012

To promote a professional image and set yourself apart from your competition, you must use a professional looking invoice. Customers appreciate having a paid invoice and you will find that all commercial work will require it. The invoice that I use carries my logo, name and address, and has a place for the customer to sign that they have accepted…

Will I Get More Business If I Accept Credit Cards?

Posted by srbobc

· April 3, 2012

I haven’t had a single customer ask if I accept credit cards. I don’t think they expect me to. But I do offer the option and I think it brings me more business. There are some compelling reasons to invest the money it takes to have a merchant account. People will often have you do more work if they know…

What About Billing Customers for Completed Work?

Posted by srbobc

· April 3, 2012

If it brings you more business, just say “Yes.” This has come up in three different situations. When I’ve done commercial work, work for a property management company or while doing pest repairs for real estate agents. The problem with billing customers on account is the time delay in receiving payment. Commercial accounts often take up to 90 days to…

Should I Accept Personal Checks?

Posted by srbobc

· April 3, 2012

Yes! Most customers pay by check. However, when in doubt do what the corner merchant does to cover himself. Write the customer’s driver’s license number on the check to prove you checked their ID. In order for the police to help you collect on a bad check, you will need to be able to prove who it was that signed…

Do I Need an Accountant and a Bookkeeper?

What Should My Chart of Accounts Look Like?

Do I Need to Keep a Mileage Log?

Are Labor and Materials Sales Subject to Sales Tax?

How Should I Manage My Money for Taxes?

Can I Open a SEP-IRA Retirement Account?

About Invoicing and Billing for Handyman Work

Will I Get More Business If I Accept Credit Cards?

What About Billing Customers for Completed Work?

Should I Accept Personal Checks?

How to Start a Handyman Business

Does a Handyman need to be licensed?

Should I charge by the hour or by the job?

Do I need Handyman Insurance?