One thing that makes our homes cozy is that we do not have to worry about small animals and insects getting into our homes all of the time. That is because we have screens in our windows and on our doors. The problem is that these screens can be fragile and break, rip, or are somehow damaged and need replacing. Most people do not want to do these needed repairs themselves, so offer a service where you install/replace their screens for them. You could charge about $50 per screen.

If you have ever had a screen with a bitty little hole in it, you know that some how the hole seems to grow daily into a huge hole that lets every bug outside in. Trying to patch these holes before they get bigger doesn't work very well. It usually pays to just replace the whole screen, but it can be a big job for someone not familiar with how to accomplish the task.

If this is a skill you are comfortable with and would like to look into doing for money, this could be the 'business idea' for you! All year round, our homes need their screens, we use them more when weather is warm, but that doesn't mean that the holes start during warm weather. Offer to inspect people's screens for free, or for a small amount of money if the inspection involves a lot of time. Explain that your business can replace or repair screens if needed and you will inspect and let the homeowner know if they may need to give some attention to any of their screens.

You will need to have a good business card and/or an informational brochure printed up to offer to your future customers. Make sure that it explains what your basic costs are for your services and if a certification or business license is required to offer your service, be sure to inform them of your credentials.

This would also be an excellent service to make all of your local reality offices aware of too. When agents go out to look at homes that will soon be offered for sale, often times these are the types of repairs needed in order to place a home on the market. You may find yourself working for realtors so often that you won't need to advertise in any other way for new business.

It is always a good idea while you are in a neighborhood to place a sign on the front of a house while you are working on it explaining what company you are and phone numbers that neighbors can call if they also would like to use your services. If you need more business, it won't hurt to visit the neighbors either after you have finished a home and offer to look at their screens while you are there.

Most people do not want to do these needed repairs themselves, so offer a service where you install/replace their screens for them. You could charge about $50 per screen. This is up to you and your area, and how many screens on a home that need repairs. Check your area, find out the cost of the supplies required, decide about how long it will take you to accomplish the installations or repairs and give your customers an estimate of what it will cost them. It is always a good idea to try to offer a small discount for large jobs requiring a lot of work. However, you should learn quickly what people are willing to pay, or are able to pay.

Another thought would be to offer discounts for the aged and infirm too. You may not make as much money with these projects, but the advertising is worth the effort most of the time. When others see your work in their area, they will trust you much more than a complete stranger.

Helpful Resources:

http://www.hammerzone.com/archives/doors/screenreplace/scrnrepl.html

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=howTo&p=Repair/RepScrn.html

http://www.doityourself.com/stry/h2workwithscreens