How do I tell if a handyman service has a reliable pool of helpers?

Request job records that show who worked on which job. Count how many people did most of the hours. A small group that appears again and again suggests a dependable base. A long list of one-time names suggests the owner struggles to keep people. Do this before any helper hears that the business is for sale.

Next, clarify the working relationship. Are helpers employees, contractors or a mix? Your lawyer and accountant can explain what each arrangement involves and where the risks lie. Ask if any helper has a written agreement. Ask how a helper is replaced when they quit mid-job, since the answer shows how much the owner carries personally.

Speak with a few helpers if the seller agrees. Ask how work is offered, how quickly they are paid and what they think of the owner. Find out whether they would keep working for a new owner. Also test availability. Ask what happens in the busy season or when a regular helper is sick. Check whether helpers also work for competitors, and whether the quality of their work has drawn complaints. Treat any helper who works only for the current owner as a risk, and plan for how you would replace them.

Key takeaways

• Review who actually worked each job over the past year.
• Clarify whether helpers are employees or contractors.
• Ask helpers directly whether they would stay under a new owner.
• Ask how work is offered and how quickly helpers get paid.