Handyman hopes to franchise home repair concept

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Henry Staggs first became an entrepreneur at age 17, when he founded a roofing, siding and drywall business in Kansas.
“Nobody in the little town I was living in was hiring,” Staggs said. “A contractor was joking around that I should start a contracting business. I took him seriously and did exactly that.”
Nearly 24 years later, after having successfully owned and operated additional businesses in Arizona and Oklahoma, Staggs is beginning his latest venture, a professional handyman service in Maricopa called The Odd-Job Guys LLC.
“From leaking roofs to the kitchen sink and everything in between, we have you covered,” the company website, theoddjobguys.com, states.
Staggs’ business, which opened on Jan. 1, is focusing upon small to medium-sized home repairs.
“We do unit pricing per job (as opposed to charging by the hour),” Staggs said. “The homeowner is going to know what the job costs before we start the work.”
Staggs recently moved to Maricopa from Oklahoma, where he owned and operated Caliber Roof Systems. During an earlier stint in Arizona, he founded a business called The Gilbert Handyman.
Staggs’ goal for The Odd-Job Guys LLC is to provide quality service with a high level of professionalism.
“I am taking all I have learned over the years and applying it to a handyman service, which I don’t think many people are doing,” Staggs said.
Q & A with Henry Staggs
How long have you operated this business in Maricopa? Since Jan. 1. We bought a house in Maricopa and plan to lay down roots here.
How long have you been in the field overall? For the better part of the last 23 years.
How would you describe your business? I want to bring a higher level of professionalism and service to the handyman, home repair and maintenance industry here and in other places.
Why did you choose to open a business in Maricopa? It is a small and growing town, with a lot of potential.
Why should someone frequent your business instead of a competitor? We take the extra step in our service toward our customers, treat people with the respect they deserve and provide a higher level of service and workmanship. We also offer specialized programs that help homeowners save money by preventing damage rather than making expensive repairs.
Where do you see your business in five years? Franchised.
What is the best business advice you have ever received? My great-grandfather, Clarence Henry Depew, told me, “Stop looking around to see who is going to do it for you, and make it happen yourself.”
What are the biggest challenges ahead for you and your company? The bad reputation of handymen in general is our greatest challenge to overcome.
How many employees do you have? Two currently: myself and my office manager.
Is your business creating jobs in Maricopa? Yes. I plan to hire three or four handymen within the next year.
Business: The Odd-Job Guys LLC
Owners: Henry Staggs and Monica Gutziet
Hours of operation: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday; emergency and after-hours appointments as needed.
Telephone: 480-265-1613