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Handyman Cost

How Much Does a Handyman Cost?

low cost Independent Handyman: $30-$50+ an hour
low cost Handyman Service: $60-$125 an hour

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Loosely defined, a handyman performs a wide range of basic home maintenance and repairs ranging from simple ones like fixing a squeaky door, hanging storm windows, to more complex projects like installing cabinets or weatherproofing. A lot depends on the expertise of the individual handyman or service company and the desires of the homeowner.
 
Typical costs:
  • Traditionally most handymen worked independently, setting their own hours and rates and gaining reputations by word of mouth. In the last few decades, professional handyman "services" have sprung up, either as local businesses with teams of employees or as a national chain.
  • Expect to pay about $30 -$50 an hour for an independent handyman in rural or less expensive areas and $40 -$60 an hour in more urban locations or regions with a higher cost of living. These rates are just average estimates, and will vary considerably by region and by individual worker. Some handymen charge a lump sum for a specific project, depending on the complexity.
  • Depending on the skills needed, rates run $60 -$125 an hour for a professional handyman company. There's often a $150 -$350 minimum charge and there can be a $30 -$100 "trip" charge (if the worker needs to go buy materials). A professional handyman company usually has several employees, providing a wider range of skills, and screens employees for experience and reliability.
What should be included:
  • Make a list of everything that needs doing, because it's usually cheaper to have it all done at once rather than as separate small projects. Ask if you can purchase basic supplies on your own time instead of paying the handyman to drive to get them.
  • It's not always cheaper to hire a handyman instead of a licensed specialist to perform extensive plumbing or electrical projects, or other complex work. A handyman could be unfamiliar with what's needed and take a lot longer to do the job. In some states handyman can work without a contractor's license as long as they stick to minor repair work, but bigger jobs usually require a contractor's license. Check with local and state officials.
Discounts:
  • Some agencies offer free or low-cost home repairs for low-income seniors; check with your local senior center or department on aging, but be aware that these programs frequently have a waiting list.
Shopping for a handyman:
  • The Colorado Springs Gazette details questions to ask when hiring a handyman and lists common scams. Experts warn against scam artists who operate with little more than a truck, tools and cell phone; they collect deposits and then leave town without doing the work.
  • For referrals to a good local handyman, check with friends and relatives or ask for recommendations from a locally owned hardware store or real estate management firm. If you pick a handyman from a phone listing (without any sort of word-of-mouth recommendation), some experts suggest checking with local law enforcement for a police record.
  • When using a service, ask about turnover rates and how they screen their employees.
  • Whether using an independent handyman or a nationally-linked service, get several estimates and a final written bid/contract that specifies what work will be done, including start and finish times, payment schedules, type of materials used and who will provide them, and whether the handyman will pull the necessary permits for a larger project.
  • Even an independent should be bonded and have a business license as well as liability and workers' compensation insurance. Request at least three references and check them all. If applicable, check whether the handyman is licensed in your state. See if there are any complaints with the Better Business Bureau.
Article updated February 2008
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Recent Posts
Amount: $40.00 per hour Better Contracting
Posted by: Erik Studley in Tucson, AZ.Purchased: November, 2008
This is the best handyman/small contractor in Tucson. He was on time everyday and very professional. He said it would take him three days to complete our projects and it did. We spent about 1000.00 to get our check list done with this fixer-upper house that we were given quotes from 2200 to 4000 dollars to have fixed saved time and money doing it this away. Hire this guy he is the best.
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Amount: $700.00 per hour Bath and Kitchen Floors
Posted by: Betty Dyson in Pulaski, VA.Purchased: April, 2009
We hired a man in Pulaski, VA to replace the tile in three bathrooms and our kitchen. The baths were stick down tile and the kitchen was laminate.
He had to take up old flooring in all three baths and even removed the dishwasherm frige and stove in the kitchen. The work is craftsman quality and I am sure anyone else would have been 2-3 times more. We go to the same church and think maybe he gave us an exceptional break. I have never seen anyone do more professional work than he has done.
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Amount: $50.00 per hour Property maintenance
Posted by: Jerry Caol in Capistrano Beach, CA.Purchased: March, 2009
We hired Joes property maintenance and repairs for a couple of our retal properties @ first you are always with resevation hireing a sevice company but, Joe's gave a price and method and the amount of time it would take and we have been very impressed every time "Thanks Joe's"
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Amount: $50.00 per hour Handyman
Posted by: Handyman Dudes in Minneapolis, MN.Purchased: 2009
We have a Handyman Business, we charge $50.00 for the first hour and $40.00 there after. Something we do a lot of is Hot Water Heater installs which run $150.00 for Labor.
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Amount: $45.00 per hour Comforts of Home. Pulaski, VA
Posted by: Linda Smith in Pulaski, VA.Purchased: June, 2009
We used the above service to install a new waterheater, install a shut off valve, install a dehumidifier, replace faucets in the batahroom and a few smaller jobs. This guy is great. He works alone and is a true perfectionist. We paid a total bill but it averaged about $38 an hour plus "trip fees" that he only charge mileage for. We ar so happy and have never found anyone in this area that is this reliable. He even had to make a weekend call on the water heater and did not charge extra-the plumer said it would be $65 an hour from the time he left his shop to return to the shop and two hour min. We had it all done for less that we would have paid for just the water heater installation. P.S. I found out this is the same man that the lady wrote about but the post said he charged $700 PER HOUR-it was $700 for the entire job.
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Amount: $40.00 per hour AS2F handyman MI
Posted by: Jim Swanson in Dearborn, MI.Purchased: May, 2009
I am not sure of the hourly wage cause they charged by the job they tore out my old bathroom and put in a new one. They're work was exceptional and they were very respectful of our home the entire bathroom cost me $2800, which was a bargain because the next lowest quote was $3900. I would recommend them to anyone and I have been telling everyone.
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Amount: $0.00 per hour reversing an arcadia door
Posted by: char in phoenix, AZ.Purchased: January, 2010
not sure what to expect on spending - just need the back door reversed so it opens the other way
****** what can i expect to spend *******
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Amount: $35.00 per hour Home Repair
Posted by: Karen Nikolin in Phoenix, AZ.Purchased: January, 2010
We have used "Tools of the Trade" for several projects in and around our home. Mr. Jeffries was prompt, courteous and his workmanship is meticulous. We will recommend "Tools of the Trade" to our friends and family and keep the number handy for our next project!

Mike and Karen Nikolin
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Amount: $46,000.00 per hour remodel
Posted by: Bob/tina in oakland, CA.Purchased: February, 2009
We hired independent handyman, and he did many remodels to various rooms in the house.
new floors, windows, damaged walls, foundation (serious repair and redo part of it). Over all very pleased with his work, and will hire again.
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Amount: $50.00 per hour Handyman
Posted by: david L James in Martinsburg, WV.Purchased: May, 2010
Great handyman service, he spent only a day to fix all the problems in my house, he even fixed my garage door opener. the best $400 I have ever spent.

Hire him now.

www.handychappie.com
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Amount: $75.00 per hour Shawn Chaplin Handyman Services
Posted by: Shannon Haug in palm beach Gardens, FL.Purchased: March, 2010
South Floridas Premier Handyman service he was great clean apperance ,reasonable Great
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Amount: $45.00 per hour HANDYMANSHULL@HOTMAIL.COM
Posted by: a user in COMMERCE CITY, CT.Purchased: April, 2005
THE BEST ALL A ROUND HANDYMAN WE HAVE USED . HE IS MY PROPERTY MANAGER NOW . I HAVE 27 HOUSES IN COMMERCE CITY. COLO. HE IS ONE OF THE BEST. HANDYMANSHULL@HOTMAIL.COM
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Amount: $35.00 per hour mthandyman@gmail.com
Posted by: Kevin Franklin in Trenton, MI.Purchased: May, 2010
We have tried many different handymen and this guy is by far the best one. He is a nice guy, pays special attention to detail and is very reasonable in his prices. We have a few rental properties that he has worked on for us along with our own home, and we are very pleased with his work. I highly recommend M.T's Handyman Service.
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Amount: $38.00 per hour Handyman
Posted by: Pauline Joy in Tulsa, OK.Purchased: July, 2010
This guy knows his stuff. Worked for years as a Heating and Airman so he knew his electrical and plumbing. We have used him for several years. Good Christan man, he has a prayer list of people he knows and customers and prays for them everyday Company is The New Classic Handyman and his number is 919-282-3580
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Amount: $35.00 per hour handyman
Posted by: suzanne32162 in mentor, OH.Purchased: July, 2010
Good price for exceptional work. Very fair man. Others wanted far too much. I had a hot water tank installed and some additional plumbing work done, along with the install of a ceiling fan.
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Amount: $30.00 per hour Handyman
Posted by: Happyhome in Freehold, NJ.Purchased: May, 2010
There is nothing like a responsible handyman who is confident in his work. His deal is simple pay him 30 dollars per hr or what you think it is worth. Lets put it this way I always pay him more then 30 per hr. He will share his ideas, asks specifics as to what I expect and looking for in a job. He is neet,timely, clean and respectful. He alwys tells me he will work on my home like it is his own, He always presents me options along the way. He says he does it for the exersise instead of joining a gym.

This guy is definately customer orientated!
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Amount: $525.00 per hour TheKleenupKrew@yahoo.com
Posted by: Kee Moore in Philadelphia in Philadelphia, PA.Purchased: August, 2010
We needed a bathroom floor tiled, new fixtures replaced and 2 ceiling fans installed and he replaced the bathroom mirror for a total of 2 days worth of work. Each day he showed up on time, was very courteous and friendly. He will be our first choice for anything else we need.
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