How Much Do Handyman Charge?
Fill out the form to compare prices and estimates from local handymen.
An independent handyman typically charges around $55 to $75 an hour. Handymen who are employed by larger entities will charge up to $150 an hour or more. This does not include the cost for materials, such as a faucet, cabinets, or lumber.
Are you looking to hire a handyman? Here’s what you need to know about handyman costs and how to find the top-rated handymen near you.
Do you DIY? As a hobby, playing Mr. Fixit around the home can save you a lot of money.
However, there are some things you really shouldn’t do yourself. After all, millions of people get injured while doing home repairs every year.
Nowadays, it’s safer to hire an experienced handyman instead of rushing through an endless list of chores in your spare time.
What about handyman costs though? Will you have to sacrifice an arm and a leg? Let’s find out.
How Much Do Handymen Charge per Hour?
In a nutshell, handymen charge $55 to $75 an hour. Usually, handymen charge by the hour for small quick jobs like fixing a cabinet handle or changing a washer in a tap.
In the case of large tasks, that take many hours to complete, your handyman could stipulate a fixed fee for the whole job.
These kinds of tasks include things like installing a toilet, mounting a television to the wall or hanging a chandelier.
Depending on how long a job takes to complete, either billing method could be to your advantage.
A flat rate works out cheaper if there are unforeseen hiccups while finishing the task at hand. However, it can also wind up costing you more per hour if your handyman works very quickly.
Other expenses that you may find on your final bill include travel expenses as well as costs for any parts that they had to buy to complete the job.
It’s important to bear all these things in mind when comparing quotes.
List of Handyman Services and Average Rates
This is what you can expect to pay for common household repair tasks.
Small Jobs
Quick fixes like these usually take 2 hours or less and only require small hand tools.
These jobs include things like:
- Repairing a leaky faucet
- Replacing a thermostat
- Hanging a picture
You can expect to pay the handyman in the region of $77-$154 for the work.
Medium-Sized Jobs
Jobs which take from 2 to 4 hours to complete and need some specialized knowledge include:
- Repairing drywall
- Hanging shelves
- Installing a mailbox
Medium jobs usually cost from $154-$308.
Large Jobs
Anything that takes longer than 4 hours counts as a large job. Some examples of these are:
- Wiring for a home theater
- Installing heating and cooling registers
- Installing a kitchen sink
- Repairing a wall
These complex tasks usually start at around $308 per job.
When a job extends over several days and includes the use of heavy machinery, it’s best to get a licensed contractor in to do the work.
What Kinds of Work Do Handymen Do?
A handyman usually steps in to manage all those DIY tasks that you don’t have the time or skills to do yourself.
Most of these jobs don’t need any special training or expertise. Some, especially jobs that have anything to do with electricity, do.
When deciding whether to DIY or call a professional handyman you should ask yourself one question – “what could go wrong?”.
If you were to hang your own paintings, the worst thing could be that they hang unevenly. Worst case scenario you might bang your thumb.
If you were to attempt to replace an electrical outlet on your own, you could unwittingly electrocute yourself or cause a house fire. In these cases, it’s best to call in a handyman or electrician.
Some jobs like new plumbing, repairing gas lines, room additions or rewiring an electrical system need the services of a registered and licensed contractor.
Do Handymen Need Licenses?
Most states, do not demand that handymen have licenses unless they are performing work worth more than a specified amount.
This lower limit varies from $1000 to $25,000. Other requirements for licensing depend on local legislation and the type of work that you need doing.
For example, in Florida, any tradesman needs a license to perform certain types of work.
Finding a Great Handyman
The first time you hire a handyman, you’re inviting a stranger into your house. It’s very important to make sure you can trust them.
Once they’ve proved their worth, having reliable handyman near you is a great asset when it comes to all those annoying odd jobs.
Here’s how to get your relationship off to a good start:
Make a list
Write down the items that need fixing as well as any pertinent details.
‘Fix my tap’, is too general. Describe exactly what the problem is. This will help the handyman to give you an accurate quote for the work.
If you have several jobs, list them in the order of importance. You handyman may be able to bundle the tasks. Construction handymen are often multi-skilled.
For example, if your sink plumbing is leaking and you need a new tap, the handyman could do both jobs at the same time. This means you don’t need to pay for two visits.
Find Out More
Always get at least 3 quotes, preferably 5, this will give you a good idea of what you can expect to pay. Get them to put their estimates in writing.
Ask for references and if you can see examples of their work. A simple online search for ‘handyman near me” will reveal reviews and complaints about all your local handymen.
Ask if the handyman has any other skills. They could have a license to perform electrical or plumbing work, which could save you hiring a contractor.
Experience Counts
Experience is important but it can be misleading.
The longer a handyman has been in the business, the higher their rates will be.
Yet for small simple jobs, you’ll be perfectly fine with a newbie. If you have something more complicated in mind, rather stick with an experienced tradesman.
Talk About the Money
Always discuss rates upfront and insist that the handyman runs any extras by your first. It’s not unreasonable to set a cap on how much you are willing to spend.
Do Handymen Need Insurance?
There are no laws that require a handyman to have insurance.
However, all handymen should have worker’s compensation, general liability, and equipment coverage.
This safeguards both you and them in the event or accidents on your property, or jobs gone awry.
Compare Handyman Costs
Don’t pay too much on handyman costs.
We can assist with up to 5 price quotes on from the best men for the job in your area.
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