Launch a Queer POC-Owned Handyman Business

Hi everyone! I’m a mixed Black lesbian that’s been working in the trades in some capacity for the past 8 years, and as a contractor for the past 2.5. I recently had some jobs I was relying on fall through and made a flyer for handyman work. After talking to a lot of people that reached out, I have recognized that there is a real need for an explicitly queer, POC-owned handyman and home repair service.

I aim to be able to provide transparent services and to be able to teach my community about home repair without unnecessary mansplaining or a hidden pink tax. I also hope to be able to offer a sliding scale to make my services affordable for everyone. In an industry that regularly charges $100/hr for basic tasks, this is important to me. Getting help with the insurance and bonding will help me be able to provide assistance to low income and marginalized households.

This is genuinely my passion and I just need to take the next leap to make it happen. I’m planning on naming my business Lavender Home Repair.

The costs I need to actually get this going are as follows:

$200 business licensing fee

$152 contractor's licensing fee

$1000 for a surety bond

$1500 for a year of liability insurance, which is required to register as a contractor with L&I.

$200 for business management software fees

This would be enough to get me started and have insurance paid for a whole year. Help support a local BIPOC owned business with prohibitive startup costs! I hope to be serving my community soon.