Tirth MakwanaLet’s accept it: without a handyman app, handyman service providers face many problems, including difficulty finding customers, inefficient scheduling, lack of trust, payment hassles, high operational costs, uninformed decisions, poor user retention, etc. Thankfully, digitizing handyman services turn the table upside down.
It is witnessed through enormous growth in the handyman software market size, which is projected to reach $5.2 Billion by 2031 at a CAGR of 8% from 2024 to 2031.
The Handyman app will help businesses automate services and operations, expand globally, and gain a competitive advantage. However, when building the best handyman apps for small businesses, there are two ways: custom app development or readymade app deployment to start a mobile venture.
Every approach has unique strengths and weaknesses, so choosing the ideal option for your handyman business services is difficult. It poses a question- which is better, the custom handyman app vs the readymade solution? Declaring a winner is undoubtedly impossible because each approach is sometimes good.
So, how will you figure out what to do? A one-to-one comparison of a custom handyman app and the readymade solution will help you understand which to consider. Let’s dig deeper into the custom handyman app vs the readymade solution.
Head-to-head comparison of custom handyman app and readymade app development
Whether building a custom handyman app from scratch or deploying a readymade on-demand solution is a big question that is difficult to answer. Going through the comparison will help handyman businesses get the answer. Let’s explore!
Development approach
Readymade handyman application comes in various forms that handyman businesses can adopt to meet their unique needs. For example, on-demand platforms allow businesses to build a solution without technical knowledge, SaaS platforms like- Clarro, Zoho, or Salesforce enable the creation of scalable handyman apps, and pay-use platforms like- Adobe Creative are also considered by businesses to open online windows.
Custom handyman app development from a reliable Handyman App Software Company in the USA is the only option when choosing a tailored approach. They use an appropriate technology stack for handyman app success.
Time to develop and deploy
Readymade handyman app development means customizing a couple of functionalities and making design changes, which takes less than 15 days. The reduced development time accelerates app launch and allows handyman businesses to start offering mobile handyman services quickly.
On the other hand, custom handyman app development involves brainstorming handyman app ideas, identifying unique functionalities, crafting unique UI/UX designs, extensive testing, and final deployment, which is time-consuming. Multiple iterations based on user feedback sometimes extend the timeline.
Overall expenses to incur
Half of the SMBs in the USA emphasize going digital, but a limited budget won’t allow them to start offering services online. Small to midsize handyman businesses can invest in readymade handyman applications that will enable them to test their services on mobile at a shoestring budget. Also, there’s no need to invest in infrastructure or hire in-house resources, which minimizes upfront costs.
Custom handyman app development means handyman businesses either outsource handyman app development projects or build an in-house team. The associated costs, such as talent acquisition cost, insurance cost, infrastructure cost, and others, make the development expensive, but code robustness makes it worth it. Handyman businesses can partner with Nectarbits for handyman project development and get required consulting services followed by flawless development.
Degree of customization
When handyman businesses have minimal expectations for the handyman app, including optimal color schema, a few visual elements, and an ordinary business logo & name, then the readymade handyman app fits the bill. It’s because the readymade app provides limited customization facilities for functionalities and design, which enable handyman businesses to personalize the app to a certain degree.
Custom handyman app development follows a unique approach that starts with designing a specific workflow, building required features, and integrating necessary tools. The high level of customization facilitates the development of a wide range of handyman app features, including basic and advanced, that make the app relevant and popular.
Design uniqueness
Readymade handyman app solutions provide hundreds of templates, themes, and other design elements that handyman businesses can choose and modify to create a UI/UX design that reflects their brand. However, in the rebranding attempt, getting a completely unique design with the exact combination of color, fonts, and design elements that businesses expect- is impossible to achieve.
On the contrary, custom handyman app development allows businesses to create a consistent brand identity using brand-specific colors, layouts, and design elements. This approach helps deliver the best user experience and distinguish the brand from the crowd. Crafting meticulous design from a user perspective is possible with a custom design approach.
Performance optimization
Readymade handyman apps from vendors limit the access to view or modify the source code, making it challenging to identify whether it performs optimally. Additionally, several design elements, database, and third-party integrations make the app heavy, and performance issues are observed. When functionalities are increased, or traffic volume increases, the possibility of getting the server down or slowing loading exists. However, SaaS apps could help improve the performance of on-demand home service solutions.
Custom software is developed from scratch to integrate with legacy systems seamlessly, accommodate increasing traffic, and adapt to the increasing functionalities. The modular architecture also supports integrations of third-party services, thus improving app processing time. It means users will have significant experience booking, tracking, or paying for handyman services across all devices.
Scalability and flexibility need
Readymade handyman solutions are scalable and flexible, with support for adding functionalities and upgrading design, but they are limited. When a handyman business plans to extend the services to another operating system that the platform does not support, then there’s no room for changes. Additionally, businesses need to adjust to alternative technology
to improve the tech stack that the solution cannot accommodate.
Things are completely different with custom handyman applications. Custom apps allow businesses to scale the app as users and services expand. It provides more flexibility to handyman businesses to meet the evolving demands of target users, market, and technology advancements. Custom apps are easily scaled to new platforms and accommodate new tech stacks for innovative feature development.
Security and Compliance
Handyman apps store users’ data, such as personal information, financial information, etc., that must be safeguarded. Also, keeping transactions theft-proof with the implementation of security techniques is essential to prevent breaches. Custom app development ensures encryption techniques, PCI DSS compliance, and other certifications are employed to make the Handyman app robust and secure.
The readymade handyman app development uses security mechanisms and state-of-the-art encryption to keep foreign intrusions at bay. However, the least possibility of checking source code and a single flaw can make the app prone to cyberattacks.
Direct ownership and control
Buying a readymade handyman solution means having control over the app’s functionalities and design, but handyman businesses do not own the solution. They need to count on third-party readymade solution providers to update the app and cannot control the versioning updates. Also, the server is set up in-house for data ownership and security reasons.
Things are different with the custom handyman solution, which provides complete freedom to change from source code and functionalities to roll out new updates. Full ownership eliminates the dependence on third parties.
Support and maintenance
The on-demand development company promises ongoing support and maintenance services whenever handyman businesses buy the readymade solution. With regular updates, the readymade handyman app remains up-to-date and eliminates the need to hire a technical team for troubleshooting. The team behind readymade solutions dedicatedly provides support 24/7.
Custom handyman app software company in the USA provides dedicated support for future support and maintenance services. The handyman businesses can build a support team for the handyman application that ensures personalized services. Also, considering the customer support from the company is a viable option.
A quick look at the comparison table
| Feature | Custom Handyman App 🛠️ | Readymade Handyman Solution 📦 |
| Development Time | Takes 3 to 6 months or longer for complex features and design | 1-4 weeks as it’s ready to deploy |
| Cost | The high initial cost of development that lies between 30,000 and 100,000+ | Low deployment cost with subscription fee involved between 5,000 and $25,000 |
| Customization | Build completely tailored UI/UX design, features, workflows, etc. | Limited modifications enabled, including branding & minor tweaks |
| Scalability | Easily scaled to meet the need to handle high traffic & add new features | Limited scalability and need upgrades for growth |
| Unique Features | Facilitate adding AI, IoT, and advanced analytics to enhance the app | Standard features like- booking, payments, tracking, etc. are enabled. |
| Ownership | Provide complete control over code, data, and updates. | It’s vendor-dependent and involves some restrictions |
| Maintenance | Businesses can hire in-house teams or consider ongoing development support | It’s entirely handled by the service provider, including updates & bug fixes. |
| Security | A custom security mechanism was implemented to make the app secure. | Standard security protocols are used, but that depends on the provider. |
| Integration | Easily integrate with third-party tools due to modular architecture | Provides limited support for third-party integrations |
Who is the winner- custom handyman app vs. readymade solution?
The answer to this question is critical and tricky, but it can be determined by comparing handyman business objectives for going digital with the strengths of both approaches. For example, custom app development is your go-to option when you are looking for advanced functionalities development with the latest tech stack usage and have optimal budget and time. On the flip side, you should go ahead with readymade handyman applications when there’s a need for a quick launch with a limited budget.
Consider the pros of both solutions and analyze how they prepare your business for the future before narrowing down the choice to one. If unsure to make the right decision, collaborating with technical consultants will help find the best option for handyman business success. Let’s connect for better!
FAQs
Custom handyman app development means building an app from scratch wherein design, functionalities, and everything are built, tested, iterated, and launched.
Readymade handyman app is a pre-built solution that handyperson businesses can customize according to their business-specific needs. It takes less time and costs less to deploy.
Yes, as a custom software development company, we help businesses build custom handyman solutions according to their requirements. We have on-demand solutions that facilitate readymade handyman apps for home service businesses. Consulting experts will suggest the best choice for your business.
Assess and compare your handyman app development needs with the strengths of both options. Say a readymade app is good when you need accelerated delivery of a handyman app with basic features at low cost, and custom development is an ideal choice when you want a unique app that scales and provides complete control and ownership.
The readymade app requires lower upfront cost, making it an inexpensive option, while custom handyman apps need higher investment, but long-term ROI makes it worth it.
Readymade handyman solution providers never provide access to source code, so you can never own it.
Yes, you can migrate from a readymade solution to custom handyman app development at any time, but the migration will be complex because readymade solutions are not flexible and integrate with legacy architecture seamlessly.
Anil Patel
Himanshu Patel