Self employment as a handyman in Finland

Seattle · Post by **Seattle** » Tue Sep 17, 2013 12:17 am

I have been in the construction trades for almost 20 years in the US, I am 45 years old, I grew up in Seattle, Washington but I am not a US citizen, I am a Mexican citizen. I am well qualified to build a residential structure from foundation to finish carpentry since I was a general contractor in the US for many years. Because of the construction slowdown in the US, I started a Handyman business about 4 years ago and I am doing very good with it. At first I had a crew of 4 handymen plus myself but gave up hiring people because it became a very stressful business to manage. I never make less than $480.00 US for 8 hours of work. My hourly rate is $60 US. If I charge by the job I usually make a little more. I know very well how to market a handyman business in the US and in Mexico and I am hoping that it will not be very different in Finland other than the language. As far as the language is concerned, I am currently learning the Suomi language since I have decided to travel to Finland in 12 months time. That will give me time to learn enough of the language to be able to operate a handyman business in Finland, I hope.

I don't care if I am going to make less money in Finland than in the US. All I want is to be able to support myself reasonably well in order to continue learning the Finnish language and make some new friends and maybe a girlfriend.

I want to ask those who are working in the building trades or as handymen, what they think about my crazy idea of moving to Finland and working there. Perhaps they will have fine recommendations as to where in Finland would be the best place to set up shop, the rates, where to advertise, local regulation and immigration law.

I will appreciate your input very much.

Thanks.

**Sponsor:**

kharnynb · Post by **kharnynb** » Tue Sep 17, 2013 9:33 am

What is your reason to move here, if i may ask?
Immigration wise, unless you have a very good reason to move here, you'll just get stonewalled.(this likely means you'll be a builder employed by one of the big companies here)

As for being a handyman here.
You will need to speak fluent finnish, including tradeslang etc. that will take several years at the least.
Depending on your qualifications, you might get some work, but you'll very likely need to do a lot of schooling before
they'd allow you to touch anything electric or plumbing here.

As for setting up an own business, that'd be practically impossible to do without good contacts already in place.

rinso · Post by **rinso** » Tue Sep 17, 2013 10:17 am

Becoming an independent handyman is almost a mission impossible.
Language, regulations, certificates are all essential and it will take years to master them.
And with the critical insurance attitude, Finns don't take risks with unknown foreign handyman.

Upphew · Post by **Upphew** » Tue Sep 17, 2013 11:21 am

Seattle wrote:immigration law.

www.migri.fi
Basically to get residence permit you need a reason. Work, study or family being the usual choices.
Work RP in your trade will be mission impossible, as there can't be an EU citizen that can do the job.
Study RP needs a study place that gives recognized degree. And cash to live on.
Family RP needs a wife or registered partner.

Adrian42 · Post by **Adrian42** » Tue Sep 17, 2013 12:16 pm

Upphew wrote:Work RP in your trade will be mission impossible, as there can't be an EU citizen that can do the job.

This provision (Section 72 (1) of the Alien's Act) applies only to employment, not to self-employment.

The actual problem for the OP will be:

The Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment makes a partial decision on the application. It evaluates the profitability of the business and the sufficiency of income to cover living expenses. The profitability of the business is evaluated on the basis of documents such as the company’s business plan, binding preliminary agreements, and financing.

http://www.migri.fi/working_in_finland/ ... pplication

A business plan evaluates the market opportunities and existing competition, and I doubt the OP will have a convincing business plan - it is simply unlikely that his business could be successful in Finland.

Brent · Post by **Brent** » Tue Sep 17, 2013 10:27 pm

Forget about moving here, Australia is your answer.

cors187 · Post by **cors187** » Thu Sep 19, 2013 8:53 pm

With a Finnish business partner you can neglect and kick over many hurdles and still run a good time.

ChristinainLahti · Post by **ChristinainLahti** » Thu Sep 19, 2013 10:12 pm

we have a handyman plumbing business and must say that your chance is nearly zero without fluent finish, good contacts and proper help to manage all reglations, get all permissions etc..

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