Help with business idea: Odd Jobs Services

[Techie_929]

So, I'm a teenager. Thirteen to be exact. Want to do big things, but have to start somewhere. I'm good at cleaning things. And, other stuff.
Well, I want to start an "odd-jobs" business. I'm not sure how well it will go over, but I want to try it. I'll start with people I know, and then hopefully they'll give me references, or something , but I have a few questions:

• Is this even a good idea? Will people let me do stuff for them?
• How should I charge fees?
• When do I start "hiring", or getting others to help me? How do I know whom to trust with my business?

I think it's a good idea, others have told me so. Please give me some advice.

Oh yeah, I live in a small town, that may have some effect. And, I'm homeschooled, which gives me more flexible "hours" than some people my age. These may be factors to consider.

Anyway, please help me out if you can. I'm sure thousands have done this already.

[btshaffer]

I did a bit of this when I was in my early teens. I mowed lawns.

I'd start out by renting out my services by the job. $30 to mow your lawn or whatever. You can google up some phrases to see the going rates. You may want to call some cleaning/lawn service franchises to see their rates.

Start asking for referrals right away. If each customer can lead you to two more, you'll have more than 8 hours a day to fill in no time. You may want to make up some simple brochures describing your services and prices listing your contact information.

Once you can't handle the work is when you should start hiring. At age 13, its difficult for you to hire people older than you. I'd try to get some of my friends to take a few jobs on the weekend. You can either pay them on commission or just by the hour. Whatever you do, don't let your friendships die because you have a dispute. Make sure you explain the way things are going to be handled financially before they take the job.

[Yiie]

You should start by asking your friends if their parents need help with odd jobs. It'd be a starting point for you to get referrals. It's hard to get business from unkown people as trust is a big thing and being young doesn't help with the credibility.