How much does a handyman cost?
August 2019
On average, handymen charge $40-$90 per hour plus the cost of materials they buy. For small jobs, a handyman might have a minimum charge of $50-$100.
A handyman is a great resource for minor home repairs at a lower cost than a licensed contractor, but for more complex projects, it pays to hire a specialized contractor. Fore more, check out our tips for smart hiring on review real handyman profiles, see prior experience, & compare prices all in one place, Hire a top-notch handyman. See post-repair pics. Get a home repair quote. Compare profiles & prices.
Flat rate handyman jobs
They are common jobs handymen like to charge customers flat rate for example painting a bedroom, replace an interior door or put together a shelves . Handyman performs these tasks so often, they should be able to easily estimate how long the job will take them and how complex the work will be, and may offer a flat rate regardless of how much time the job actually takes. Most handymen does not charge to give a customer a quotes or cost estimates and charge an hourly rate for nonstandard jobs. Here are examples of flat-rate pricing for common handyman services.
National Average Costs of Common Handyman Services
National Average Costs of Common Handyman Services |
Cost |
Replace attic ladder |
$150 |
Replace toilet |
$75 |
Replace ceiling fan and light fixtures |
$75 |
Replace faucet |
$125 |
Replace garbage disposal |
$75 |
Hourly rates
Not every handymen has same level some develop better skill in different services or tasks. Hourly rates can vary depending on the technical skill required for a job. Some services, may have a higher average hourly rate ($75-$80) for plumbing-related work than for patching a simple drywall crack ($50) because working with plumbing takes a higher level of expertise. Other handymen may have one set hourly rate, regardless of the task. There’s no right or wrong way for a handyman to charge for their service; just make sure you understand how your handyman charges for the jobs you need to have done before work begins. Having a simple written agreement between you guys can also prevent any miscommunication about work to be done and pay rate.
Material costs
Most handyman i know handyman carried supplies in tools box. For example nails, screws, nuts and bolts, and other basic building supplies. If your project requires special supplies or supplies that cost you may need to arrange with your professional handyman advice for shopping what needs, some handyman doesn’t charge to get supplies from near by hardware. Be sure to describe your job and the materials needed clearly so the handyman understands the details of the job before arriving at your house. If you’re not familiar with the job or the parts, attach a photo of the project to help the handyman see what will be needed. When your project requires additional supplies, the purchase of job materials can be handled in several ways:
- Handyman purchases and incorporates cost of goods into your bill
- Handyman purchases, incorporates cost of goods into bill and charges an hourly rate for shopping
- Customer purchases materials before the contractor arrives for the job. If you select this option, be sure to have the pro confirm that you have purchased the appropriate parts for the job. This will save you both time and money.
Tips to hire a great local handyman
When you think on to hire a great handyman, following is the steps that hep you to be successfully reach your goal. Find someone you can develop an ongoing relationship with. It’s great to have a skilled handyman you can trust to repair or upgrade things at your house as needed. Whether you lack the skills or the free time to make progress on your to-do list, a great handyman always makes your home better. When looking for the right person for the job, here is a basic checklist:
- Read reviews: Great work speaks for itself through positive online reviews from previous and current customers. Look for someone with a range of experience
- Work experience: If you need to replace a leaky toilet, look for a handyman who has successfully installed toilets. You don’t want your handyman trying out their first toilet installation on the only bathroom in your house.
- Discuss rates: Find out ahead of time whether your future handyman charges by the hour or will quote you a flat rate.
- Discuss payment options: Do they only accept cash or checks? Do they accept credit cards? For bigger jobs, talk about payment plans. If you hire a handyman for a multi-day project, they may request a deposit, but be wary of anyone who wants you to pay in full before work starts or before work is completed.
- Gut check the estimate: People who provide drastically lower estimates may not be reputable and tend to disappear. Trustworthy operations require standard rates to remain in business.
- Look at past projects: Look for a handyman who has been in business over the years, who will be more likely to stand by their work.
- Talk about job timelines: For a bigger project, such as hanging wallpaper throughout your entire home, discuss when the project will start, what time they will arrive for work each day, approximately how many hours of work they will do per day and when they expect to finish. Whether the job will take only a few hours or several weeks, make sure you agree on a timeline you’re both happy with.
Tips to save money on handyman projects
As it said above hiring a handyman is usually less expensive than bringing on a licensed contractor, it still costs money. Here are some cost-saving strategies that allow you to hire the help you need while also reducing your financial output.
- Bundling together home repair jobs: Handymen who charge an hourly rate will often have a minimum charge. This means that even if the task takes 20 minutes, you are likely to be charged for a full hour. Group together smaller household jobs to capitalize on your handyman’s time and make the most of your investment.
- Spend time on planning: Communicate clearly while hiring and let the pro know exactly what the projects entail and what materials will be required. Sending photos (from more than one angle) of each project can give the handyman a better understanding of what tools and materials to bring.
- If special supplies are needed, communicate clearly about that, too: For example, if you want the handyman to paint an accent wall in your home, tell them the wall size, exact paint color and paint sheen, and indicate if you need any touch-ups to your drywall before painting. Providing as much detail as possible makes the handyman more efficient and saves you money.