Learn how to fix, build, and repair things in other people's homes — then turn those skills into a steady business where customers call you first.
Before you fix anything, you need to know your tools. This phase covers the essential hand tools and power tools every handyman carries — drills, saws, hammers, levels, pliers, wrenches, and more — what each one does, how to use it safely, and how to build a starter kit without going broke. You'll also learn basic shop safety so you don't hurt yourself or damage a customer's home.
Leaky faucets, running toilets, clogged drains, and dripping pipes are some of the most common calls a handyman gets. This phase teaches you how water systems in a home work, how to diagnose common plumbing problems, and how to fix them with basic tools. You'll practice replacing faucet cartridges, swapping out toilet fill valves, clearing drain clogs, and connecting supply lines.
Customers constantly need outlets replaced, light fixtures swapped, ceiling fans installed, and switches that don't work diagnosed. This phase covers how household electrical circuits work, how to use a multimeter, and how to safely do the small electrical jobs that don't require a licensed electrician. You'll learn where the legal line is in your state so you know which jobs to take and which to refer out.
Holes in walls, water-damaged ceilings, scuffed trim, and rooms that need repainting are everyday handyman work. This phase teaches you how to cut and hang drywall patches, tape and mud seams, sand smooth, and paint like a professional — including cutting clean lines, rolling without streaks, and matching existing paint colors. These are high-demand jobs that look impressive when done right.
Hanging a door that actually closes, replacing a broken window pane, installing baseboards, and fixing sticky drawers are bread-and-butter handyman tasks. This phase covers measuring, cutting, and fitting finish carpentry work using basic hand tools and a miter saw. You'll learn how to shim a door frame, adjust hinges, cope trim joints, and caulk gaps so the finished product looks clean.
Cracked tiles, squeaky floors, damaged laminate, and loose thresholds are common problems homeowners want fixed fast. This phase teaches you how to remove and replace individual tiles, patch vinyl and laminate flooring, fix squeaky subfloors, and handle basic surface repairs. You won't become a flooring installer, but you'll handle the repair jobs that keep customers calling.
You can't learn this trade from videos alone — you need reps. This phase is about getting your hands dirty by doing free work for friends, family, neighbors, or community organizations. You'll take on small jobs like fixing a wobbly railing, replacing a bathroom faucet, or patching a wall — and document each job with before-and-after photos that become your first portfolio.
Most new handymen either charge too little and burn out or charge too much and get no calls. This phase teaches you how to walk through a job, estimate how long it will take, price materials, and quote the customer a fair number. You'll learn the difference between hourly rates and flat-rate pricing, how to handle jobs that turn out bigger than expected, and what to charge in your local market.
Once you know the trade, AI tools can handle the paperwork that slows you down. This phase shows you how to use ChatGPT to write professional estimates and follow-up messages in seconds, Google Sheets to track jobs and income, Canva to make simple flyers and business cards, and Google Calendar to schedule your week so you're not driving across town between jobs. The goal is spending more time on the tools in your truck and less time on your phone.
Skills don't pay the bills until someone hires you. This phase covers the specific ways handymen get work — posting on Nextdoor and Facebook Marketplace, listing on Thumbtack and TaskRabbit, asking past free clients for referrals, and leaving door hangers in neighborhoods with older homes. You'll set up a simple Google Business Profile so people searching "handyman near me" can actually find you, and use ChatGPT to write your first listing descriptions and review responses.
The best handymen don't chase new customers every week — they have regulars who call them first. This phase teaches you how to follow up after every job, build a simple contact list of past customers, and send seasonal reminders using ChatGPT for things like gutter cleaning in fall or AC prep in spring. You'll also learn when it makes sense to specialize, raise your rates, or hire a helper so you can take on bigger jobs without burning out.
Name your project and Ari will coach you through every phase.
Free • No credit card • AI-coached