Parks-Talley opened the franchise in 2005, offering full-service home repairs and maintenance, and found then that staffing was her biggest challenge. The business, like many others, experienced staffing issues during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, over 18 years later, the business has the strongest team it has ever had, Parks-Talley said.
“We have really, really, really good people here, and they want to do a good job; they want to make people happy,” Parks-Talley said.
An ideal candidate for a technician role has strong customer service skills and a background in trade skills, she said. Mr. Handyman technicians are bonded and insured as well as background checked and drug tested to ensure customers can trust the person entering their homes, Parks-Talley said.
“It’s extremely important that you know who you’re letting into your home,” she said.
Mr. Handyman employees receive ample and continued training, Parks-Talley said, a process made easier through the franchise model. The business is one of many franchises by Neighborly, the world’s largest home services company, according to its website.
Following the opening of the first location in Collin County, Parks-Talley opened the Frisco location two years later in 2007. The business expanded again in June 2021, when she purchased two existing Mr. Handyman franchises in Keller, serving the Keller-Roanoke-Alliance area, and in Lewisville, serving the Lewisville-Flower Mound-Denton area.
The business offers a variety of services for repairs, maintenance and minor remodeling to both residential and commercial properties. Services are priced based on time and materials alone.
Going forward, Parks-Talley is shifting her focus to increase her commercial base.
“The franchise has a lot of growth potential, this area is growing so much ... and people need our services,” she said.
Mr. Handyman’s top three most-requested services include some common household repairs and maintenance items.
- Doors: From hanging and repairing doors to adding a new doorway, services involving doors are Mr. Handyman’s most requested, Parks-Talley said.
- Drywall: The business’s drywall services are extensive, including drywall repairs and replacement as well as installing new drywall.
- The “Honey Do” List: Many of Mr. Handyman’s customers request a list of household services at one time, often small fixes and maintenance items, such as replacing a lightbulb in a high-ceiling light fixture.
Mr. Handyman of Midwest Collin County, 703 N. Chestnut St., Ste. B, McKinney.
214-387-3474. www.mrhandyman.com/midwest-collin-county.
Hours: Mon.-Fri. by appointment.
