Hiring a handyman typically costs $65 to $1,200, or $390 on average, using hourly or flat rate pricing. Expect to spend $60 to $125 per hour plus materials when quoted hourly rates. Flat rate project pricing includes materials and depends the location, size of the area and scope of the work.
Updated February 22, 2022
Written by HomeAdvisor.Although projects typically fall in the $165 to $615 range, handyman rates can vary widely. Small jobs, like replacing a light switch, may cost $60 to $250 for one to two hours of work. Larger jobs that take four hours or more run $1,200 and up.
Handyman repair and install services can vary, too, depending on their skills and experience. A handyman (or handywoman) is a skilled generalist, or jack-of-all-trades, who performs minor repairs and installs on homes.
Handyman painting prices are around $100 per room. They usually charge $20 to $25 per hour since it is hard to tell how many coats it takes for full coverage. Each room may take two to four hours to prep and paint, depending on its size and base color.
It costs $375 on average when hiring a handyman to install a bathroom fan. This project should take about two hours if simply replacing the old fan with a similar unit. If you need to install ductwork or replace wiring, then it is likely best to hire a specialty contractor instead.
Installing an awning costs about $2,580. Prices can reach $6,100 if you want a retractable awning since they cost $2,000 to $3,500 each. The install can take up to five hours with the most time needed for awnings placed in a new location. Replacing an old awning with a new one may only take one hour.
Expect to pay around $400 to have holiday lights put up around the exterior of your single-story house. Costs can reach $1,500 if you have the light strands placed on multiple levels. Your handyman likely charges a flat rate fee for this service since they can easily estimate how long it will take.
Weather stripping replacement projects cost $265 on average. Each window is about $100 to reseal, while exterior doors are $95. Expect to pay $65 for each interior door as well. Flat rate pricing usually applies. The total depends on the number of windows and doors that need new weather stripping.
Expect to pay an average of $420 to have childproofing devices installed around your home. The type and number of safety devices you need determines the total price of this flat rate project.
As a jack-of-all-trades, handymen offer virtually all basic installation services. As long as they have the skills, they can handle upgrading your garbage disposal or installing an awning. Here’s a look at several common home upgrades and their prices to help you plan your next project.
Hall light: $65
Bathroom faucet: $90
Ceiling fan: $100
Garbage disposal: $150
Toilet: $150
Second-story ceiling fan: $250
Kitchen sink: $300
Expect to pay $390 on average to hire a handyman for small fixes around the house. They may charge up to $125 per hour for simple jobs and use a flat rate for complex tasks. These experts let you know which pricing scheme they use when giving a quote on your project.
You can expect to pay around $440 to have your tile and grout repaired by a handyman near you. They can replace a cracked tile with a new one or restore the grout so it looks like new. High-end materials can increase the price quite a bit, especially when working with marble and slate.
A handyman may charge $300 on average to repair your cabinets or up to $2,825 to completely refinish them. Simple repairs includes straightening doors, replacing hardware and applying a new coat of paint. Refinishing is more involved since they need to sand the cabinets down to bare wood, then repair any defects and reapply stain, varnish or paint.
At an average of $250, repairing a bath fan costs almost as much as installing a new one. Professionals often charge an hourly rate since it can take some time to track down the problem. You may also need to pay for parts to fix the issue. The total cost depends on the extent of the problem since it could be anything from faulty wiring to a dead motor.
You may pay around $655 to repair an awning, depending on what’s wrong with the shade. Fixing faulty retractable arms costs up to $300, while replacing the fabric is about $1,000. The cost goes up if the cause of the malfunction takes a long time to track down.
Handymen often use a $60 to $125 hourly rate if they need to cover diagnostic time. The total amount of time the repairs take determines the price you pay. Here’s a peek at several common repairs and how long they typically take:
Toilet valve replacement: 1 hour
Faulty thermostat: 2 hours
Leaky pipe: 2 hours
Drywall repair: 3 hours
Replace single window: 4 hours
Hiring a handyman costs $60 to $125 per hour if the project is not priced out as flat rate. Corporate handymen cost the most to hire and do not have room to haggle. To save money, go with an independent professional with the right skill level for the job.
Developing a trusting relationship with a skilled, reliable handyman is like finding that great daycare provider or doctor. Here are some tips about selecting which handyman to hire:
Make a list of what you need done and include some detail to get an accurate quote.
Set up a budget cap for each task and prioritize your projects.
Check to see if the handyman will bundle tasks and offer a slight discount.
Get quotes from at least three potential handymen to see the overall price range.
Ask about their experience, licenses and liability insurance.
Ask to see prior work they’ve done and speak to their references.
Get all estimates in writing and confirm they provide new quotes for unexpected costs.
Check for any complaints and read them to make sure they are reasonable.
A contractor is a specialist in his or her field: electrical contractors, plumbing contractors and construction contractors are just a few. There are also general contractors, which typically oversee a team of subcontractors who handle specialized jobs within the larger project. They are knowledgeable about permits and other such technical details.
Handymen specialize in odd jobs. It could be replacing a broken cabinet hinge, stopping a leaky faucet or sanding down a gouge in your wood floor. The handyman is a trained generalist, and it was probably a handyman who coined the phrase, "No job too small."
