How Much Are Handyperson Hourly Rates?

Handyperson Prices

Handyperson prices range between $180 and $670 per project, but costs can vary significantly depending on the nature of the work. Projects requiring more billable hours and/or materials will cost more. In addition, jobs that necessitate special licensing or involve more dangerous work can lead to higher handyperson hourly rates.

Handyperson Price List

Hiring a handyperson is attractive because they can tackle a wide range of projects. They might not be experts in every skill, but they have general contractor knowledge and can get the job done—usually more affordably than some specialized pros like carpenters, electricians, pavers, or painters.

The table below showcases some of the jobs you might contract a handyperson to complete and the typical costs associated with the work:

Keep in mind that a handyperson can’t do major plumbing or electrical work without a license. Some handypeople are licensed for specific tasks, but consider hiring a plumber, electrician, or other licensed professional for major work around the house.

Handyperson Flat-Rate Pricing

How much do handypeople charge? Often, handyperson quotes will be a flat rate, including labor and materials, based on an estimate of your project. 

Handyperson flat-rate pricing can range significantly, from as little as $65 to as much as $1,200, depending on the job size. The price may increase if the contractor finds hidden issues, such as mold behind drywall.

Handyperson Prices by Location

The cost of a handyperson can vary significantly depending on where you’re located. Generally, in places with a higher cost of living, you can expect a higher average hourly rate for a handyperson. If you live in a remote area that’s more difficult to reach, handyperson prices could also be higher.

Handyperson Cost Factors

When hiring a handyperson, you’ll need to consider more than the average handyperson hourly rate to create your budget. Other factors that can impact the cost include the job size, the worker’s experience level, the licenses they carry, the distance they’ll need to travel, and material prices.

Job Size

How big is the job? Whether it’s the physical size of the job or the level of complexity, this is one of the biggest factors that could influence the final cost. Simple repairs, like replacing a toilet valve, are often much more affordable than full installation services, such as the cost of installing a new awning. Paying for the cost to professionally install holiday lights is another job you can hire a handyperson to do, particularly if you have high roofs or feel unsafe on ladders. If you’re unsure about the scope of your project, ask while collecting bids.

Experience

An experienced handyperson often works faster than their inexperienced colleagues because they know what’s involved in the project and they’ve done it many times before. Their experience allows them to work efficiently and avoid mistakes along the way. However, this doesn’t mean that you’ll pay less per hour. In fact, you might see a higher hourly rate.

License

The licensing requirements for handypeople are varied and depend primarily on where you live. Some states may not require any licensing, while others insist that handypeople carry the same licenses, bonds, and insurance as a contractor. A licensed expert often charges more than an unlicensed one to cover increased expenses. For some jobs, you may need to forego a handyperson in favor of a licensed plumber or electrician.

Travel

If you live in a rural or isolated area, the average hourly rate for handypeople is likely to be higher. Some professionals may include travel in their hourly rate, while others offer free travel within a certain area, such as the first 10 miles. If they charge for mileage, the standard practice is to charge according to the distance from their place of business. Ask about this when collecting handyperson quotes.

Materials

Some handyperson quotes may include labor and materials. Depending on the specific job, material costs could drive up the overall price. For example, the high potential cost of installing a garbage disposal is due to the expensive models that are available. You can save money by purchasing a budget-friendly unit.

Independent vs. Corporate Handyperson Job Prices

Independent handypeople generally charge between $55 and $75 per hour. If you opt for a corporate handyperson service, you may pay up to $130 per hour. These larger agencies, like Mr. Handyman, may be more expensive, but the contractors are more likely to be licensed, bonded, and insured and have access to premium tools.

Independent

What are the pros and cons of an independent handyperson?

Pros:

• They often go above and beyond to maintain their good reputation and earn word-of-mouth referrals.

• They’re typically flexible in their pricing since the contract is between you and the handyperson, not a company.

• The person you negotiated the price with is the person who will be doing the job.

• You can develop a good working relationship with your handyperson.

• They quickly become familiar with the needs of your house and can help plan future projects.

Cons:

• You have to check their qualifications and reputation yourself.

• You won’t have any solid idea of the quality of work to expect until the end of the job.

• All complaints and grievances go straight to the person who did the work.

Corporate

What are the pros and cons of a corporate handyperson service?

Pros:

• The company fully verifies the handyperson’s background and qualifications.

• Standard pricing on small jobs can help you learn what to expect before calling.

• The company maintains the correct licenses and insurance for your peace of mind.

• Companies guarantee their start time, quality of work, and cleanup as a standard service.

• You file any complaints or grievances with the company, not with the individual.

Cons:

• Company handypeople have their prices set by the company and aren’t as flexible in their pricing.

• You might not get the same pro each time you need services.

• Company policy may prevent the corporate handyperson from going above and beyond.

DIY vs. Hire a Handyperson

If you’re an adept DIY-er, you likely carry many of the same skills as your typical handyperson near you. In that event, hiring a handyperson probably won’t make sense. But if you don’t have handy skills around the house or access to the necessary tools, you may want to hire a handyperson to help out with your project. If it’s a basic project, you can save a lot of money by hiring a handyperson instead of a specialized contractor.

How to Hire a Handyperson

To hire a handyperson, start by researching handypeople in your area. You can research this online or ask for recommendations from family, friends, and neighbors. Always get quotes from multiple contractors before moving forward with one. If the job is more complicated, you may need to hire a different professional instead, like a foundation repair contractor, plumber, or electrician.

Getting Quotes

A handyperson should be able to give you a firm quote in writing before starting any project. You must provide sufficient details about the job, including the materials you prefer. The quote should clearly spell out the scope of the project, define the final product, and estimate how long it might take. They can then use those factors to choose hourly or flat-rate pricing and find the total cost.

Projects can grow and change as they progress, resulting in additional costs. Unforeseen complications can also cause the price to increase. In either situation, a handyperson should provide another quote that explains the reason for the higher price.