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Starting a Handyman Business – Checklist

Starting a handyman business does not take a lot of money. However if people are going to take you seriously or if you plan on being in business for longer than just a few months, there are many things you need to do to start your business.

Here is a checklist to get you thinking about the steps you need to take to start your handyman business.

1. It all begins with you: The very first step you should take is making sure that you really want to own your own business. No matter what type of business you are starting, you really have to want to be a business owner.

2. Pick a name for your business and decide how you will set up your handyman business. Will you be a sole proprietor? A LLC? A regular corporation? You will probably need to consult with and accountant and an attorney to make sure you choose the best entity for you.

3. Research what type of insurance you will need. There are many different types of insurance you may need, for instance, workers compensation, generally liability, and commercial insurance for the vehicle you will be using. Be sure to check with your state to see what they require. Also remember to check with the municipalities in area.

4. Research what type of business licenses you will need. Does the municipality you live in require a business license? What about and electrical or plumbing license? Does your state require any type of license? Make sure you know what you need before you open your doors.

5. Research your customers. Make sure you know who your target customers are and what it is that they need. Will you specialize? An example of this would be targeting senior citizens, real estate agents, and landlords.

6. Research your competitors. Make sure you know what they are doing well and what they are not doing well. What’s not being offered, that is needed, that you could offer.

7. Based on your research decide what services you are going to offer, the price you will charge, then how you will advertise your service.

8. Make sure you have the necessary tools. Be sure that you have the basic tools for the services that you will be offering, however do not go overboard purchasing the fancy stuff. Remember a lot of larger tools can be rented, until you are doing enough work to justify the purchase.

9. Make a plan. Put the above into a business plan to keep you organized and on track.

Follow this check list before you start your handyman business to make sure you are starting out as strong as possible and to help make your new business a success.

Denise Mense is the founder of Cash In On Repair where you can get valuable information about how to start a handyman business You may also download a free report on how to obtain customers at: http://www.cashinonrepair.com

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A Complete Contents Insurance Quote Checklist

No matter whether you’re renting from the nicest person on earth or live with someone but don’t own the house, you need a contents insurance quote and make certain you’ve coverage on your belongings. The landlord’s insurance policy doesn’t insure your property and neither does your cohabitants’ insurance if you are living with someone. You need your own.

Choosing the right insurance at the best price can be very challenging. You should utilize a good checklist where you list every contents insurance quote and the benefits it provides. Additionally you need to understand each coverage item so that you know whether or not this fits your circumstances.

Contents Coverage-This will be the actual level of insurance coverage you actually carry and the ceiling the insurer pays if everything is lost in a fire or other disaster covered by the policy. The policies are called HO4 insurance policies and they cover 16 named perils.

1. Riot or Civil Commotion
2. Fire or lightning
3. Aircraft
4. Vehicles
5. Hail or windstorm
6. Smoke
7. Explosion
8. Vandalism or Malicious Mischief
9. Theft
10. Falling Objects
11. Volcanic Eruption
12. Weight of Ice, Snow, or Sleet
13. Sudden & Accidental, Cutting, Burning, Tearing Apart or Bulging
14. Accidental Overflow or Discharge of Water or Stream
15. Freezing
16. Power surges

Deductible-The deductible is what you have to pay out of your pocket per claim. The higher the deductible, the lower your insurance cost. Be sure to compare apples to apples when you get a contents insurance quote. Even though some company’s contents insurance quote might be lower, they also may have a higher deductible making it so you’re getting a lot less than the more costly policy.

Replacement Cost-If you have a disaster which wipes out all your belongings, the insurance adjuster depreciates the items. If you have a five-year-old $ 800 refrigerator, the adjuster uses the cost you paid and after that deducts an amount for every year in use. You could end up getting as little as $ 100 toward the overall claim. If you have replacement cost coverage on a policy, the adjustor applies the dollar amount it costs to replace the item at the time of the loss, not the price less depreciation. This makes a difference on the price for a contents insurance quote.

Scheduled Personal Property-Most policies have limits on coverage for several things such as furs, sporting equipment, jewelry, coin collections and art collections, to name a few. Should you own a really expensive item of jewelry or equipment, you’ll want to insure it to value by using a scheduled personal property rider. Be sure you include the various costs included in your contents insurance quote. You can also get a scheduled personal floater that raises the coverage for those who have many items, like a coin collection, of high value but no one coin over a specified amount.

Liability-Each policy includes a liability section, coverage in case someone sues you for injury at your house. Compare the amount when you’re getting a contents insurance quote.

Computer Insurance-If you love all the bells and whistles, you might want to consider including extra insurance on your computer equipment.

Business Riders-Home businesses face additional losses. If you’re business is in the fledgling stage or doesn’t have that much equipment or exposure, consider adding business merchandise coverage, incidental business liability or a home business rider and be sure to compare the price of the addition and coverage when you are getting a contents insurance quote.

Theft Coverage Protection Endorsement-Most policies limit the protection for theft. Add this rider to extend the limit. Note the amount of insurance coverage provided when you’re getting your quote.

Land and mine subsidence coverage, earthquake coverage, and sewer and drain back-up-These three additional insurance coverage riders aren’t for every purchaser. Land and mine subsidence coverage provides you with insurance should your home and contents slide down the side of a hill in a mud slide or disappears because the ground gave way from subterranean mining. Earthquake coverage and sewer and drain back up are self-explanatory.

Watercraft and Recreational Vehicle Endorsement- In case you keep a boat or Rv in your back yard, some companies provide coverage for them but others don’t and you need a rider. When you’re getting a contents insurance quote, make sure if it’s included or if you need a rider.

Before you start shopping for a contents insurance quote, you’ll want to estimate how much insurance you need. Although you may lose $ 20,000 worth of items in a fire, if you only have $ 15,000 worth of coverage, that’s all the insurer pays. Make a video of all of the items in your house and then make a list of the values. If you select replacement cost coverage, estimate the price of replacing an item not the amount you purchased it for. Once you have decided on a total sum, you’re ready to get a quote and your policy.

We now have more information on our web site about the coverages and options that are offered when looking for a contents insurance quote and details for finding cheap contents insurance rates. Feel free to stop by and visit us at any time.