Jack of all trades master of none?

[Steve]

What I found interesting in this article is that I don't often see jack of all trade companies like Dave's being started. Maybe because it takes many skills in many fields. What I like about it is that it should help him generate cash flow to keep him going. It's like a wide funnel. Customers can call him and ask if he can do this or that and most likely he will be able to do the jobs.
The down side is possibly he won't specialize in any specific field and therefore not generate the skills one would need to become really good at it and therefore be able to charge a premium for those services.

What's your view on this? Is it better when you start a business to offer many services or focus on a few and why so?

Career profile: Mr. Fixit is a Jack of all trades (http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060611/GPG03/606110574/1250/GPGlife) - Dave Engels has worked in the maintenance service industry most of his life. That is what made it easy for him to decide to start his own business in the field. "I handle all phases of building and grounds maintenance." Engels said. "I work with both commercial and residential customers."

The job: Engels' work covers all aspects of buildings and grounds care including painting, window and door repair or replacement, flooring care, roof and siding repair or replacement, electrical, plumbing, furniture repair and patio deck construction and repair. "I also offer moving services," Engels said.

[kc2006]

The main problem I see is, there's really no room for growth. In a business like that it would be crazy to try and find reliable employee's that can handle all those different types of work. Or if you were to have one guy do one field, another do another and so on you'd have to pay them good money since they would basicly be specialized and like you said TG he wouldn't be getting top dollar to begin with because he's just a all purpose guy.

That was the first thing that hit me "whats this guy going to do when he gets too old for this stuff and is still a solo operator?".

[Steve]

I was also thinking what if he became the go to guy in the area for such services and sub-contracted out the work to other companies.

Would it work then?

This would kind of be like something Troy had talked about in the past to do.

I just don't know if a person might use your services once and then get comfortable with your sub-contractor and call them back in the future for other services. This would then cut you out of the picture.