Why I Love Being the Neighborhood Handyman

It’s October, a month where the leaves are falling, and I’m still wearing shorts. I could never wear shorts to work when I was in commercial construction. Actually, there was a lot I couldn’t do when I worked for larger commercial companies.

I’ve been reflecting lately on the pros and cons of being an independent general contractor and handyman, mostly because a client recently mentioned how I’m the “neighborhood guy.” I hadn’t thought of myself that way before, but it’s true. I’m the neighborhood guy for several areas, and frankly, I’m glad to be thought of like that.

Running my own business has its pros and cons, and I thought I’d share those with you. Why? I want you to see me for who I am and also for what I do.

Pros Cons

I provide personalized service for my clients	I’m only 1 person, and I can easily fall behind
I live in the area, which means I often see clients in places like the grocery store.	Because I’m only 1 person, I can’t get sick as there’s no one else to step in my place
Clients only work with one person instead of several	I’m often overbooked
In general, I have personalized relationships with most of my clients	Multiple jobs at the same time is difficult for me. I prefer one job at a time
I control my schedule	I cannot take on really big jobs as I’m not set up for that
All estimates and sales are done by me, giving me a chance to provide good service to my clients	Materials pricing is beyond my control and subject to change. This can frustrate clients because the estimate must change
My prices are reasonable because there’s no overhead expenses	Relying on subcontractors can be stressful
I choose the jobs I want to do, giving me greater flexibility	Subcontractors might have scheduling conflicts, and I have to base my schedule on their availability
It makes me happy to make my clients happy	I have to hold different licenses to work in different parts of the Denver-Metro area. Licenses cost money
Referrals expand my network, reducing the need to advertise, which helps my costs stay lower	In addition to the physical work, I’m also the accountant, customer service representative, and scheduler. It can be difficult to juggle all aspects of owning my own business and takes time away from my billable work

Although I began in commercial construction, I can’t see myself returning to that profession. 

Being my own boss gives me flexibility, and sometimes headaches. But what keeps me going are my clients.

I value the relationships I’ve built with clients over the years, some of whom have become dear friends. I enjoy being somewhere, like the grocery store, and seeing a client, visiting with them, and knowing I helped them improve their living space. 

My original clients were neighbors and older people who wanted to remain in their homes but had necessary home repairs. I know it’s possible for contractors to take advantage of older people especially, and it’s important to me that I’m always honest and open with all clients. Yes, I need to make money, but I also need to make sure my clients are happy.

At the end of the day, being the “neighborhood guy” isn’t just a label, it’s something I take seriously and wear with pride. It means showing up, doing the job right, and treating people with respect. Lindworks LLC may be a one-man operation, but behind it is someone who genuinely cares about the homes, and the people, I work with. I might not have a big crew or a flashy truck, but I do have a commitment to quality, honesty, and community. And for me, that’s more than enough.