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For someone who has the skills and know-how to fix things around the house, a handyman business is a great way to turn their talents into a thriving enterprise. As is often the case with many small businesses, it’s easy to get bogged down with the back-office side of running a handyman operation. Managing finances, tracking expenses, creating quotes, and finding new customers all take time and can distract handyman professionals from completing the jobs that bring in revenue. While it’s possible to hire employees to help with the business side, a more affordable option might be to use a handyman app.
These apps can streamline the process of tracking financial performance and expenses, producing quotes and invoices, marketing handyman services, and even communicating with customers. Some of these platforms also help professionals bring in new customers, and many work seamlessly with other commonly used business software. By taking a deep dive into what these apps can offer and reviewing their revenue-generating features, professionals in this space can find the best handyman apps to make money.
- BEST OVERALL: Jobber
- RUNNER-UP: Housecall Pro
- BEST JOB SCHEDULER: Thumbtack
- BEST FOR LEAD GENERATION: Porch
- BEST FOR ODD JOBS: TaskRabbit
- ALSO CONSIDER: Angi Services for Pros (formerly Handy Pro)
What to Consider When Choosing One of the Best Handyman Apps to Make Money
Finding an app with features that fit the business’s needs as well as one that works with existing business software can be key when shopping for a handyman services app. In addition, handyman professionals will likely want to weigh cost considerations, subscription options, integration with other software platforms they rely on, and available resources when looking at apps to support their business.
Features
Handyman apps can offer a wide range of features and services that can vary significantly from one program to another. For instance, some apps offer solutions that streamline day-to-day operations with tools and templates for producing quotes and creating invoices. They may also keep tabs on subcontractor expenses, create and distribute marketing materials, and track financials. Some even offer live call-answering services that will take customer calls and book jobs when the business owner isn’t available.
Other handyman apps may also have a customer-facing platform that assists homeowners with finding a handyman. Given how diverse these apps can be, it’s a good idea for business owners to carefully review the features each app offers to determine if an app fits with their needs. When comparing TaskRabbit vs. Handy (Handy has been rebranded as Angi Services for Pros), for instance, handyman professionals may note that there are a wide variety of job categories to consider with TaskRabbit. Several of those categories would qualify as odd jobs—mounting a TV or assembling furniture, for example— that might appeal to some handyman pros but not others.
Pricing
Just as the features and services offered by apps can vary significantly, so too can the pricing. Apps that offer more services and features often come at a higher price. For instance, handyman apps with a full suite of tools and resources for managing the back end of the business can be the priciest options available. While many software platforms charge monthly or annual subscription fees, those that offer booking and lead-generation services may have different pricing structures. Some charge handyman businesses a fee for each customer they book through the service, for example. Lead-generation apps typically charge handyman businesses for the number of leads they purchase through the service. Some lead services offer premium plans that allow users to earn rewards for each lead they purchase or be eligible for reimbursements for leads that don’t pan out.
Plans and Subscriptions
Many handyman apps offer multiple subscription options, charging their customers on a monthly or annual basis. These subscriptions are typically tiered to meet the needs of businesses of different sizes with plans that can range from basic job-scheduling services to more sophisticated capabilities such as automated marketing and invoicing, payment processing, and software integration. Rates for a handyman app can vary significantly depending on the tier the customer chooses as well. With that in mind, it’s worth considering what features a business owner needs when selecting a subscription plan so they don’t overpay for services they won’t use.
Integration With Other Software
How well an app integrates with other handyman applications a business uses can be crucial for those who want to automate various day-to-day tasks. Apps that function seamlessly with software the business owner already uses to communicate with customers, manage financials, keep payment records, and conduct marketing help save time by streamlining routine business processes. Many apps for handyman professionals can integrate with widely used accounting, marketing, and payment processing software. With that in mind, business owners may want to strongly consider how well a handyman app integrates with their existing business software. Most handyman apps will list software compatibilities in their product descriptions, but some will have far more integration support than others.
Customer Support
With the sheer quantity of features that handyman apps can offer, it can take time to learn how they all work. A good handyman app will help users work through that learning curve by providing excellent customer support. While some handyman apps offer customer support via phone, email, or live chat, others may only offer help articles and other online resources. In some cases, handyman apps may offer one-on-one tutorials to help users get the most from the software. When selecting an app, customers may want to take a close look at the level of customer service offered, along with the availability of support from a live representative, and then choose one that suits their preference.
User Resources
Many apps come with a library of resources that their customers can use to make many common business functions easier. Common user resources include templates that help make the process of writing estimates and invoices easier and less time-consuming. Handyman apps may also have calculators for helping business owners determine labor and material costs as well as profit margins. Many handyman apps also have a collection of help articles, videos, and forums designed to assist users so they can take full advantage of the software and run their business more effectively.
Our Top Picks
The best handyman apps can help businesses streamline their back-office operations, grow their customer base, and become more profitable. The right software platform will depend on a business owner’s particular needs and the exact features they’re looking for in a handyman app.
Best Overall
Jobber
Why It Made the Cut:
Jobber offers a comprehensive end-to-end solution for managing a handyman business, including financial reporting, automated time-tracking options, and integration capabilities.
Jobber can check all the boxes to help a handyman streamline their back-office operations, making it a great option for businesses that can afford its somewhat steep price tag. With the platform’s real-time financial reporting feature, users can access updated invoices, look at financial projections for their business, and even track what their contractors are spending on building supplies as those purchases are made. Jobber is also loaded with resources and tools to help users navigate the business side of their operations, including profit margin calculators, labor cost calculators, and a template for generating estimates.
Jobber also has one of the niftier time-tracking features we’ve seen. It uses GPS to identify when the business owner or one of their employees or subcontractors arrives at and leaves a jobsite to tally time spent on the job automatically. And Jobber helps shorten the learning curve for its app by offering free one-on-one coaching sessions with its customers.
In addition, since Jobber integrates with other business applications and software, including QuickBooks, Mailchimp, Stripe, and Google Local Services, Jobber users can seamlessly transfer finances, communicate with customers, check payment records, and send out marketing materials.
Specs
- Features: Customer communications, quoting, job tracking, invoicing and payments, integrations
- Pricing: $49 to $245 per month
- Plans and subscriptions: Grow, Connect, Core
- Customer support: Phone, email, live chat
- User resources: Estimate template, receipt generator, profit margin calculator, labor cost calculator, salary guides, community group, help articles
Pros
- Real-time financial reporting included
- Wide variety of software integrations
- Automatic time tracking available
- Wide variety of online resources
- Free 1-on-1 product coaching sessions
Cons
- Relatively high subscription fees starting at $49 per month
Runner-Up
Housecall Pro
Why It Made the Cut:
Various integration options, automated marketing capabilities, and a live call service that takes customer calls and books appointments make the Housecall Pro app a standout.
With its many integrations and tools that make day-to-day operations easier for the user, Housecall Pro helps handyman professionals handle the business side so they can focus on completing jobs for clients. This app has some of the more robust marketing features available with handyman software. It will automate marketing emails and direct-mail marketing services and customize how they’re distributed. One of Housecall Pro’s most notable features is the platform’s HCP Assist service. Through this service, Housecall Pro’s agents will take calls for a handyman’s business, produce estimates, and even book jobs, so the business owner doesn’t miss out on prospective customers even while out on the job. This feature alone may help justify Housecall Pro’s somewhat high fees, as the time savings may outweigh the cost of a software subscription.
The app is also loaded with online resources, including free templates to help handyman professionals generate proposals, invoices, quotes, and service agreements—great features for those still getting used to running their own handyman business. Housecall Pro also integrates and works seamlessly with such business software as QuickBooks, Chiirp, Broadly, and Mailchimp, helping to streamline a handyman business’s back-office operations.
Specs
- Features: Job tracking, invoicing and payments, customer communication, integrations
- Pricing: $49 to $129 per month (MAX pricing unavailable)
- Plans and subscriptions: Basic, Essentials, MAX
- Customer support: Phone, email
- User resources: Community group, handyman templates, help articles
Pros
- Wide variety of software integrations
- Automated marketing features available
- 24/7 call-answering service available
- Wide variety of free handyman templates
Cons
- Relatively high subscription fees starting at $49 per month
Best Job Scheduler
Thumbtack
Specs
- Features: Job scheduling
- Pricing: No annual fee (booking and lead fees apply)
- Plans and subscriptions: N/A
- Customer support: Live chat
- User resources: Videos, community group
Pros
- 4.5 million active users per year
- Insightful competitor analysis included
- No annual fees
Cons
- Limited customer service options
Why It Made the Cut: Thumbtack’s massive user base of homeowners gives handyman businesses maximum exposure to new customers—and with no annual fees. Thumbtack’s huge database of potential customers, tools that allow users to conduct competitor analysis, and lack of an annual fee make it a great option for handyman professionals looking for a job-scheduling solution. With some 4.5 million homeowners using Thumbtack to find home maintenance and improvement services, this app helps business owners find handyman jobs by giving them access to a huge pool of potential customers. Handyman businesses will also like Thumbtacks’ fee structure. While the company charges for leads and booking jobs, there is no annual fee. This makes it a great option for those looking to try out a leads app without having to commit to it. In addition, as noted in our Thumbtack vs. HomeAdvisor comparison, Thumbtack gives professionals some leeway to adjust the cost per lead, making it easier to budget for lead generation. Potential customers may want to keep in mind that the company’s customer support representatives have somewhat limited availability, so they will need to call during regular business hours to get assistance. Thumbtack also offers robust competitive analysis tools so users can see how they’re stacking up against the competition. Users can monitor the number of views their Thumbtack profile is receiving versus the number of potential customers who reach out. They can also view reviews, response rates, response times, and other statistics for other contractors and handyman businesses in their market, giving them a picture of the competition they can use to tailor their marketing strategy and customer service.
Best for Lead Generation
Porch
Why It Made the Cut:
Flexible subscription options and a credit rebate program make Porch a high-value solution for handyman professionals who prioritize customer leads.
With its flexible payment options and money-back guarantees for premium subscriptions, Porch may be a great option for handyman professionals looking to grow their business. Porch, an intermediary that connects contractors and homeowners, gives its users two payment options. They can either pay as they go to purchase leads or pay for a subscription plan that gives users a monthly allowance for buying leads, making Porch an appealing option for business owners with a wide range of operating budgets. Users who sign up for a subscription can set a specific budget for how much they wish to spend on leads, helping them to tailor their lead-generation efforts to their business size. Users can also apply to the Porch Vetted Network and become eligible for Pro Rewards, which grants a 5 percent credit for every dollar they spend on leads. These credits can then be applied to pay for additional leads or help cover the cost of their subscription.
While Porch leads services are great for those figuring out how to get handyman jobs, the company has a limited selection of online resources and tools. On the other hand, the company offers a money-back guarantee for Vetted Pro members who pay for a lead but never receive any response from the homeowner after repeated attempts to contact them, helping businesses minimize losses from leads that go nowhere.
Specs
- Features: Lead generation, job scheduling, customer relationship management, credit card processing
- Pricing: $359.99 per year (for Vetted Network membership)
- Plans and subscriptions: Free plan, Vetted Network membership, Pay-as-you-go
- Customer support: Phone, email, live chat
- User resources: Help articles
Pros
- Flexible payment options
- 5 percent credit available for every lead purchased
- Money-back guarantee available for some leads
Cons
- Limited online resources
Best for Odd Jobs
TaskRabbit
Why It Made the Cut:
TaskRabbit is a terrific option for handyman professionals who take on odd jobs, as the app allows users to customize their profiles to attract customers who need specialized services.
Features that make it easier to match clients to handyman services and a liberal refund policy make TaskRabbit one of the top handyman apps for landing clients. The app allows handymen to choose from more than 50 categories to add to their profile, including everything from plumbing to painting to general repairs and electrical work. These customization options make it easier for handymen to highlight for prospective customers what services they specialize in.
While TaskRabbit is an attractive service, it’s not available in all parts of the country. For this reason, handyman professionals will want to check that TaskRabbit operates in their market before signing up. The service also focuses almost entirely on matching clients and customers and doesn’t offer many other resources or tools, such as templates and calculators, as part of the platform. Even so, for handyman professionals who take on odd jobs that go beyond home repairs—mounting TVs, for instance—TaskRabbit could be a go-to platform for finding work.
Business owners may also appreciate TaskRabbit’s cancellation policy for scheduled jobs. Customers who cancel within 24 hours of their appointment are charged a cancellation fee, which is then reimbursed to the handyman. This policy can help small-business owners mitigate losses in the event a client cancels their appointment at the last minute.
Specs
- Features: Job scheduling
- Pricing: $25 registration fee
- Plans and subscriptions: N/A
- Customer support: Phone, email
- User resources: Help articles
Pros
- More than 50 task categories available
- Handyman-friendly cancellation policy for scheduled work
Cons
- Not available in all locations
- Limited online resources
Also Consider
Angi Services for Pros
Why It Made the Cut:
Angi Services for Pros (formerly Handy Pro) gives handyman professionals access to a large user base of potential customers as well as insightful business metrics and analytics.
Angi Services for Pros is the rebranded form of the popular Handy app, now under the same corporate umbrella as Angi and HomeAdvisor. There are some benefits to this new arrangement. For instance, Angi is one of the most popular platforms for scheduling home services, with homeowners submitting tens of thousands of projects each day. As such, the platform can present a great opportunity for handyman professionals to reach customers in their area and schedule new jobs.
Although handymen can join Angi and submit their business profile for free, if they want to advertise their services, they will need to apply to become Angi Certified—and that comes with an annual fee. However, Angi does not publicize the cost of those fees. Handyman professionals will also need to pay for each lead they receive, so there are expenses to consider for what may initially appear to be a free service. User resources are somewhat limited as well, but professionals can readily reach support representatives via phone, email, or live chat.
Handyman professionals who sign up for Angi Leads can also take advantage of business metrics that provide insight into their clientele. For instance, they can see what percentage of their leads result in queries regarding their services, and how many of those leads become paying customers. Receiving this kind of analysis can help small-business owners identify gaps in their customer outreach efforts so they can better close on deals, bring in more clients, and schedule more work.
Specs
- Features: Job scheduling
- Pricing: Not listed
- Plans and subscriptions: N/A
- Customer support: Phone, email, live chat
- User resources: Help articles
Pros
- Tens of thousands of homeowner projects submitted daily
- Business metrics and advertising analysis available
Cons
- Membership rates and lead fees not listed
- Limited online resources
Our Verdict
With its breadth of features designed to help streamline the business side of any handyman operation and its ability to integrate with other software, Jobber is our pick for Best Overall. We gave the Runner-Up award to Housecall Pro on account of its automated marketing capabilities, call-answering service, and various free templates to help handyman professionals manage their business.
How We Chose the Best Handyman Apps to Make Money
We considered a variety of criteria when making our selection of the top apps to help handyman professionals make money. Since these specialty apps vary in the types of services they provide, we looked at several software platforms, including those that streamline the business side as well as those that focus on helping connect a handyman with clients. Understanding that budgets vary for handyman businesses across the country, we researched apps at different price points, such as those with tiered subscription plans. Handyman businesses also use a variety of other software and applications to track expenses, market their services, and communicate with clients. With that in mind, we looked at apps that can integrate with commonly used business software to help streamline day-to-day tasks for professionals.
Before You Choose One of the Best Handyman Apps to Make Money
Since apps can vary significantly in the types of services they offer, it’s a good idea for those considering a handyman app to assess their needs before choosing one. Handyman-business owners may want to ask themselves a few key questions to better understand the types of services they need from a handyman app, including:
- Am I looking to streamline the quoting and billing process?
- Do I need an app that can help track expenses or one that assists with seeking out new clients?
- Do I need a solution that can automate my marketing efforts?
Next, business owners may want to consider the current software they’re using and whether they want to completely replace it or simply supplement it. If it’s the latter, an app that can integrate seamlessly with existing software may be the right option.
Cost of Using One of the Best Handyman Apps to Make Money
Since handyman apps can vary significantly in cost, it’s important for business owners to consider budget when choosing a software platform. Subscription-based apps that provide services to help streamline the business side of the operations come with a monthly or annual fee that can vary significantly, depending on the breadth of services the customer chooses. Apps that connect handyman businesses with potential clients often charge their clients based on the number of leads they purchase from the service and the number of jobs they book through the platform. Business owners looking for a free app for self-employed handyman professionals may find that they are able to sign up at no cost but then have to pay for each lead they find or job they schedule.
Users may also be eligible to receive credits or rebates on leads that don’t pan out, which can help minimize expenses with the apps that focus on lead generation and job scheduling. The best handyman apps will help business owners make money, but it’s always a good idea to carefully weigh the return on investment offered by any app before making a decision. Given the other expenses small-business owners in this space need to account for—handyman insurance costs, for instance—budgeting for handyman software may not be feasible for everyone.
The Advantages of Using One of the Best Handyman Apps to Make Money
While handyman apps add to the operating expenses of a handyman business, there’s good reason to invest in these platforms. Since these apps often streamline a wide range of tasks, including invoicing, tracking expenses, and communicating with clients, they help free up handyman professionals to focus on running their business. Many apps also offer marketing and lead-generation features that aid with bringing in new clients, helping a handyman business grow and increase revenue. The best handyman apps can improve business operations in many other ways, including:
- Integrating with widely used business software, streamlining routine tasks and helping save time;
- Delivering real-time financial reporting so business owners can stay on top of their expenses and revenue streams; and
- Providing competitor analysis and insight into other handyman businesses, helping professionals see where they can improve to better engage customers.
FAQs
Running any small business can be a lot to juggle, and the best handyman apps can streamline or even automate routine tasks, allowing business owners to focus on delivering the best handyman services to satisfied customers. But with so many factors to consider, they may struggle to find the right app for their needs or even how to set up and run their day-to-day operations. To help alleviate some of these concerns, we’ve addressed some of the most common questions aspiring professionals have about getting a handyman business off the ground.
Q. Is being a handyman a good side hustle?
If you have the skills and know-how that handyman work requires, then a handyman business can be a very lucrative side job. If you already own an extensive set of tools, this type of business requires little up-front cash outlay and comes with low overhead costs, allowing you to generate a profit fairly easily.
Q. What is the best business structure for a handyman?
When setting up a handyman business, professionals often have the choice between structuring it as a sole proprietorship or a limited liability company (LLC). While a sole proprietorship is a great option for those who use the business as a side hustle for part-time work and have no employees, an LLC may be better for those who run larger operations with multiple employees or subcontractors. An LLC can offer more tax savings and better legal protection in the event the business is sued, as well as keep a business owner’s personal and business assets separate. However, business owners must also pay an initial filing fee, then recurring fees as set forth by the state in which they do business. Handyman professionals who want to set up an LLC may want to explore their options with one of the best LLC services such as Northwest Registered Agent or LegalZoom.