Rental property maintenance for small landlords

Landlords with a handful of rental units, small property owners and out-of-town owners who need someone local they can trust.

Hourly rate or flat price per job, plus materials. Repeat landlords send steady work, and tenant turnovers bring bigger jobs.

• General repair and building know-how
• Reliable and quick to respond
• Clear quotes and simple record keeping

• Many states cap the dollar value of work you can do without a contractor license, so check your state's licensing board
• Electrical, plumbing and HVAC work usually needs a licensed professional, so know where your limits are
• General liability insurance, and workers' compensation once you hire anyone
• Late-paying clients, so use written quotes and ask for deposits on larger jobs
• Homes built before 1978 may involve lead paint rules, so check EPA requirements before disturbing painted surfaces

Startup costs are typically around $1,500 to $7,000, depending on the tools you already own, your vehicle setup and the insurance you take out. Written quotes and deposits on larger jobs help protect your cash.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated around $1,500 to $7,000, depending on how many landlords you serve and how many hours you work. Late-paying clients can affect cash flow, so use written quotes.

Check your state licensing board, since many states cap the value of work allowed without a contractor license, and know that electrical, plumbing and HVAC usually need licensed professionals. Also check EPA lead paint requirements for homes built before 1978.