He’s her husband, but can be your handyman.
A mother of three rents her hubby out to other women to do odd jobs for extra cash — and it turns out business is booming.
Laura Young’s spouse James has skills in general DIY, painting, decorating, tiling and carpet laying, so they’ve created a lucrative handyman business called “Rent My Handy Husband.”
James, 42, is currently booked up for the month of November on jobs, for which he charges $44 per hour and about $280 for a day rate. Their business has become so popular, they said, that they even had to turn down jobs.
“I never expected it to take off as much as it has,” Laura told Southwest News Service.
James works on the labor side of the job while Laura runs the social media accounts as well as their website.
James has been doing a variety of jobs so far, like putting up a TV and running up curtains.
Young said she first got the idea from a podcast that spoke about a man making a living putting furniture together for other people.
The Buckinghamshire, England, native then advertised her husband’s services on Facebook and the Nextdoor app.
They booked James’ first job in January and their business has grown exponentially to the point where they are even getting requests from people who live over 150 miles away.
Before they began “Rent My Handy Husband,” James worked in a warehouse. However, he quit his job to be a full-time dad to their three children, two of which have autism.
Laura said that James, who was diagnosed with autism four years ago, has always enjoyed building and constructing so she “thought this would be something he could do.”
“He’s really good at building things and doesn’t bother with the instructions,” Laura explained.
“James doesn’t come from a trade background but his grandad was a nuclear engineer, and they think he was also on the spectrum,” she continued. “He’s got a very methodical mind and can think outside the box. He sees things differently.”
In addition to his jam-packed schedule, James plans to serve his neighborhood for the Christmas season by offering light installations both inside and outside the home.
The pair also offers discounts to those working in the National Health Service and emergency services, as well as over-65s, disabled people and caregivers.
“We know what it’s like to be parents of children with special needs,” she said. “We’ve known what it’s like to struggle for money or have to save.”