Playbook

Handyman & flat-pack assembly

Small repairs, shelving, painting and furniture assembly.

Reviewed 2026-09-25 · what a review checks

At 5h a week: €160–€680/mo
At 10h a week: €330–€1370/mo
Start-up cost: €100–€600
First money: 1–2 weeks
Difficulty: Some skill
Risk: Medium
Customer contact: Some
Where: Local

Start tonight

0/5 done · about an hour

Five small actions. No money, no website. Tick them as you go — your progress is saved on this device.

1.Photograph three jobs you have done in your own home. Those are your portfolio.
2.Write your offer in three lines: what you do, who it is for, and your price.
3.Set up one simple profile — a Facebook page or Google Business Profile — with that offer and your area.
4.Contact 5 neighbours, friends or local businesses directly with the offer. Personal messages beat posts.
5.Post it in two local community or buy-and-sell groups, then write down every reply so you can follow up tomorrow.

Who it suits

Practical people with their own tools and a car.

What you need · how much it costs

To start: €100–€600 — tools you lack, insurance.

Monthly: €30–€100 — insurance, fuel, consumables.

Electrical and gas work must be done by registered contractors (Safe Electric / RGII) — do not take it on.
Public liability insurance.

How to get your first customer

List the jobs you will and will not do
Set a minimum charge and hourly rate
Post before/after photos of your own work in local groups

How to price it

Assumed market range €25–€45 an hour (assumed hourly rate; small jobs often have a minimum charge). Start around €32 for your first three customers, then raise it for new customers once you have reviews. Check three local or platform listings before you publish a price.

Realistic earnings

€25–€45/hour × 5h a week × 4.33 weeks × 30–70% of hours actually paid ≈ €160–€680 a month, before costs and tax.

€25–€45/hour × 10h a week × 4.33 weeks × 30–70% of hours actually paid ≈ €330–€1,370 a month, before costs and tax.

The rate range is an assumption (assumed hourly rate; small jobs often have a minimum charge); the share of hours paid reflects the first few months, when most time goes on finding customers. Actual income depends on demand, pricing and how consistently you find customers. Capped at 20h a week.

What can go wrong

Liability for damage; stay within competence.
Underpricing travel and materials runs.
Up to €600 spent before you know it works.

Irish tax (2026)

Self-employed income; tools and fuel for work are deductible.

Declaring side income as a PAYE worker. Side income is taxable from the first euro. If your net non-PAYE income is under €5,000 (and gross under €30,000) you can declare it on Form 12 through myAccount. At €5,000 net or more you are a “chargeable person” and must register for self-assessment and file Form 11 by 31 October. Source · checked 2026-09-25

Business expenses. Costs incurred “wholly and exclusively” for the side business (tools, software, platform fees, a share of home costs) are deductible from the income before tax. Keep receipts for six years. Source · checked 2026-09-25

Educational information about Irish tax rules, not tax, legal or financial advice. Your position depends on your circumstances — check with Revenue or a qualified adviser.

Hustler · execution plan

What to do this week, and how to scale handyman & flat-pack assembly

Free gets you started tonight. Hustler gives you the day-by-day plan for your first week and what to do at your first customer, first €100, first €500 and when to scale — €9.99/month, 14-day free trial, cancel any time.

Checking your account…

Sources

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🔧 Handyman & flat-pack assembly