Woman who rents out husband to do odd jobs for other women says business is booming
A woman who rents out her husband to do odd jobs for other woman says business is booming after never expecting the idea to take off as much as it did.
Laura Young, 38, got the idea from a podcast, which described how a man was making a living by putting flatpack furniture together for others.
The mum-of-three decided to follow suit and advertised husband James on Facebook and the Nextdoor app back in June, offering up his DIY, painting, tiling and carpet laying skills.
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She thought she might get a few giggles, but was surprised to find demand for her 42-year-old hubby was sky high – securing his first client in just one day.
James was soon working six days a week from 9am to 8pm, and is fully booked until mid November.
Laura said: "I never expected it to take off as much as it has.
"We've only been going four months and it got to a point where there was so much work coming in that James was working six days a week.
"We've had to start turning jobs down and reduce our hours, so now we do Monday to Friday 9am-5pm.
"We had our own building plans that we've not even started as we've just been so busy.
"We booked our first job for January too."
James’ jobs include everything from helping putting up TVs or curtains through to rebuilding a wall, while Laura works on running the ‘Rent My Handy Husband’ social media accounts and website.
James had to give up his job in a warehouse to become a full-time carer alongside Laura, looking after their children – two of whom have autism.
James was also diagnosed with autism four years ago, finding he has always been able to focus on physical jobs like building and construction.
Laura continued: "He's really good at building things and doesn’t bother with the instructions.
"So I thought this would be something he could do.
"James doesn’t come from a trade background but his grandad was a nuclear engineer, and they think he was also on the spectrum.
"He's got a very methodical mind and can think outside the box. He see's things differently."
The couple, from Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, don’t charge per job, instead offering either a day rate of £250 or a hourly rate of £40 - prices that people are clearly happy to pay for, as the pair have had requests from as far as 150 miles away.
“The first customer needed a door frame replacing and then from there I just had people enquiring on the Facebook page,” Laura said.
"It went from regular flatpack to so much more, like laying a carpet and rebuilding a wall.
"We even had requests as far as Manchester, to which we told them it may be more practical to find someone closer due to the extra costs, but of course we would have done it!"
While James doesn't do any electrical and plumbing services, in the lead up to Christmas, the couple are offering installations of festive lights, both inside and outside.
They also offer discounts to those working in the NHS and emergency services, as well as over-65s, disabled people, carers and those on universal credit.
Laura added: "We know what it's like to be parents of children with special needs and we've known what it's like to struggle for money or have to save."
Jess Hardiman