Manual Money

Make Real Money By “Faking It”

The great part of being a faux finisher is that you really don’t have to be an artist to be a success. Many techniques are fairly simple if you have the right equipment, know-how and practice.

My dentist’s office is a most relaxing place. And, I don’t mean only after I’ve been given the laughing gas. The chair is comfortable, the music is soothing, and the scenery is enchanting. As I take in the calming ambience, I am visually drawn into an old-world garden situated just a few feet in front of me. Read more…

Concrete Cashout

How Get Paid To Shoot Concrete

‘Everyone’s happy when I shoot and I make good money’ – said my friend calmly while sipping his coffee. He was not talking about any bloodshed. This is about a business idea that requires no initial investment, has almost zero running costs, and earns big bucks for you. This one doesn’t require you to invest much time even.

A golden goose really. Read more…

“Doorways” To Quick Cash

The Door to a Treasure House

Sounds like the title of a fairy tale, doesn’t it? However, this door really opens to a great business opportunity that rakes in money for you. You can pocket a cool $100 with every job that takes just an hour or two. A dream job really.

Here we are talking about ‘Retractable screen door’ installation service. A retractable screen door is a screen that retracts into a vertically mounted case and works in a way that is similar to a retractable window shade. It simply pulls out and secures to a small metal plate with a magnet. See pictures here:

www.wizardindustries.com/

Learning the installation of such screen doors is very easy. You can just follow the steps mentioned on the installation guide/manual that comes with most screen doors. You might practice the installation procedure by installing one at your home before you actually move on to installing it for your clients. You can also offer other similar services like installation of retractable windows.

You can get these retractable screen doors for $120 from Home Depot and charge another $100 for the installation fee. You can get them even cheaper from wholesale shops in your area (you can check this on the Internet). However, do not forget to factor in the conveyance costs when you calculate your fee. You will be traveling to-and-from your client’s house.

Tip: Besides the installation of these doors, you can also supply equipment/products for cleaning and maintenance of doors and windows of all kinds (including the screen doors). In fact, you could even offer cleaning or maintenance service for doors and windows of all types.

Getting customers/clients is the most difficult part of any business and targeted advertising is very important. Print attractive brochures and leave them, if permitted, at shops and stores that supply home accessories. Look for shops in areas where a lot of construction has happened recently. Post flyers on the bulletin boards at the laundry mats and grocery stores in these areas. You can also seek permission and leave your brochures or flyers at the offices of real estate agents and mortgage brokers. Find homebuilders that do NOT offer these services now and see if they will inform new homeowners that you are available to install these doors. You can also advertise your services in local newspapers and shopping guides.

You could also team up with other such service providers e.g. locksmiths that specialize in door locks/latches or door/window painters or carpenters that are experts in wooden doors or glass window specialists etc., and work on a mutually beneficial referral arrangement i.e. you refer their services and they refer your services. In addition, the referrer gets a 5-10% commission if the deal is made.

Tip: With every installation, give away a free guide for the maintenance and cleaning of windows and doors of all types. This would be just a 2-page guide printed on a colored paper and folded in the middle to form a handy booklet.

This is really a cool business idea that is all about profits.

Resources:

Retractable screen door sellers:

www.screen-time.com/screens/home.html

www.wizardindustries.com/

Make Money From Your Basement Or Garage

Do you enjoy putting things together?  Do you have the ability to easily understand instructions and intuitively know how items work and fit together?  Is your garage or basement already filled with tools?  Not all people have the ability to understand instructions and put things together.  In fact, many people are overwhelmed with instructions.  They purchase products and then when it comes to assembly, they spend hours trying to get everything to fit together right.

If you have a natural ability to understand instructions and love building things, then you can probably make a great income from it!

That is how John earns his living.  He loves working with tools and wood.  His wife was always asking him to make something for the house.  His friends would see the work and comment on how well it was made.  Now, as a benefit, he gets to stay home instead of putting in eight hours for a company.

How It Works:

Contact local retailers that sell furniture and other items that require assembly.  Many stores offer these products but do not have a service that will help put the product together.  Let them know that you can offer this service to their customers.  They will then refer you to any customers that request this assistance.  You complete the project and the customer pays you for the finished product.

What You Will Need:

You should have all the tools you will need for assembly in your garage or basement so there is no initial cost for tools.  Most assemblies only use a screwdriver and maybe a hammer unless they provide special tools for their product.

Next, you will need some business cards.  These are easy to create on a home computer (or you can use a printing service like the one offered at; VistaPrint, Office Depot or Office Max).  If using a home computer, programs like MS Works, MS Word, or Publisher makes it easy to create business cards.  You can purchase inexpensive business card blanks at any office supply store to print on your own printer.

How to Get Clients:

Visit any local retailer that sells furniture, and other items that require assembly and ask to speak with their department manager.  Tell them what you are doing and give them several business cards.  On a monthly basis, you provide them with additional business cards.

You could also take out a small ad in your local newspaper classified ads.  Something simple like:

FURNITURE ASSEMBLY AT REASONABLE COSTS
555-1234

This type of ad is very inexpensive and may provide additional clients.  Just what you are now looking for!

Helpful Resources:

www.sba.gov/smallbusinessplanner/index.html