Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephen Carlson.
Hi Stephen, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
After living in Virginia for 32 years working a handyman business and dabbling in various Indie film productions, the TV Series A Haunting, and others I thought it was my time to try my set building trade in Atlanta. When I arrived in the summer of 2022 the whole film industry was in turmoil between Hollywood strikes and the coming of age of AI. My first job in Atlanta was working for a General Contractor in Milton. It was there while I worked on short film productions after work that I began to formulate a plan to start another Handyman business.
Working for someone else gave me time to rethink what I could do better than before. For most years in Virginia I worked as a solo handyman working in the field and doing that administrative tasks as well. In my new iteration I was determined to do things differently. So this is what I did. “Carlson’s Handyman Service punches above our weight” in that many people assume we are some bigger company then we are…what with a professional website, CRM (Customer Relations Management) platform, local call answering, immediate estimates, and more.
What makes us different: 30 years of experience. We focus on quality and craftsmanship. That being said we also look for ways to repair a project and, if it is something we aren’t proficient doing after educating a client we’re happy to refer them to another contractor that we have vetted. We understand we aren’t perfect and warranty our work for a year. Things happen and we embrace the fact that sometimes materials fail, we are there for our customers.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I don’t think starting a business is ever smooth. Being the “point of the spear” as it were makes it easy to see where many of the issues are when I stand in front of a mirror. Launching a business in a new town is quite the challenge. In my past businesses almost all my work was generated from word of mouth. I didn’t advertise, I didn’t need to. But on the flip side with the advent of Google Business there is the ability to shape the message rather then wait for a phone call from someone who may or may not know what kind of work I really do. The first challenge is getting the jobs in the door, the second challenge is doing the jobs as the solo technician. I’m either braving record hot humid days or below freezing temperatures all a challenge for me.
As you know, we’re big fans of Carlson’s Handyman Service. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Although a Handyman can be a Jack of All Trades there are some aspects around a home or business we don’t do: foundation repair, new roof work, jobs over 3 stories, pressure washing, major electrical or plumbing. Much of our work centers around smaller 1/2 day to 2-3 day projects. As I say we replace things we don’t build new things like room extensions or houses. We do custom build closets or shelving units. Most of our works is small drywall repairs, painting, wood repairs, door adjustments, etc.
The thing that sets us apart is the initial response they’ll get when they contact us. The office manager answers the calls and or returns messages as soon as possible. This point of contact is one of the most important aspects of the business. It isn’t AI answering the phone or asking the caller to press “O” for operator. AI is phenomenal but that human voice still beats AI answering the phone. Using AI would save quite a bit on human staffing but a human voice is a better experience for the caller and that’s what we are about…giving the best experience we can as a business. We look at customers pain points and try to find solutions for them.
What matters most to you? Why?
What matters most to me is trust and peace of mind. When someone hires me, they’re not just hiring for a repair—they’re inviting me into their home. Their sacred place, their castle full of things that have meaning and value to them. Whether it’s a significant other, children, or animals. How well will I fit into their space? Our goal is to leave the repair area cleaner than when we found it. We wear shoe covers or remove our shoes. We maintain a porta potty in the work van. We listen to music on a headset but not when the customer is nearby because we want to be responsive to the customer. Being welcomed into a sacred place is a privilege and it needs to be treated with the utmost care. We invested in a $3000 dollar German vacuum and sander system that virtually eliminates any drywall dust released into the air. Nothing for the homeowner to cleanup or breathe while making the repairs.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Carlsonshandymanservice.com
- Instagram: HomeRepairGuy
