All services
52 services in 9 categories · all live now
What a handyman charges in 2026, how the hourly rate and trip charge work, and which jobs are worth hiring out versus calling a licensed trade.
Handyman rates run $50 to $150 per hour, and most projects cost $65 to $1,500, with $405 typical. A self-employed handyman charges $50 to $80 per hour, a handyman company $75 to $125, and a trip charge adds $30 to $80.
Handyman rates run $50 to $150 per hour. HomeAdvisor puts the average project at $405, with most jobs between $65 and $1,500, and small fixes averaging $390. A self-employed handyman charges $50 to $80 per hour, a company $75 to $125, plus a trip charge.
Most quotes combine hours, materials and a minimum visit fee. A task that takes 20 minutes can still bill a full hour plus a $30 to $80 trip charge. TV mounting, furniture assembly and light fixture swaps are often priced per job, which makes the scope easier to compare.
Installed price at the self-employed rate of $50 to $80 per hour. One hour covers a single small task, while a full punch list often takes four to eight hours; the trip charge and materials are extra.
Calculated from our published hourly range and compared with HomeAdvisor in Oct 2026. A two-hour visit lands near $130 at the typical rate before the trip charge, and bundling tasks lowers the cost per item.
National ranges, installed. Your city can run 10 to 20 percent either way, so check the local pages before you compare quotes.
HomeAdvisor handyperson hourly rate and price list guides, compared Oct 2026.
Six things move a handyman quote more than anything else. Ask every handyman to put each one in writing, so the prices you compare cover the same list.
Solo handymen charge $50 to $80 per hour and companies $75 to $125. A trip charge of $30 to $80 applies to most visits, and many set a one or two hour minimum, which matters for small jobs.
TV mounting runs $150 to $350, furniture assembly $90 to $150 and minor plumbing $200 to $300, per HomeAdvisor. A long punch list takes more hours but spreads the trip charge across each item.
Fasteners, caulk, brackets, paint and fixture parts are usually billed on top of labor, sometimes with a markup. Buying the parts yourself avoids the markup, but confirm the handyman will install customer-supplied items first.
Handymen handle small repairs, but new wiring, gas lines, structural work and roofing need a licensed trade. HomeAdvisor notes that jobs requiring a license carry a higher rate, and unpermitted work can fail inspection.
Trip charges often cover the first 10 miles, and mileage applies beyond that. Tight parking, stairs, tall ceilings and a long carry from the truck add time to the hourly bill.
Weekday appointments are easier to book than weekends, and outdoor punch lists peak in spring and summer. Holiday light installation adds $220 to $680 in season, per HomeAdvisor's task table.
A handyman bill is mostly labor and travel. Materials are small on most jobs, and the trip charge is the part homeowners question most, which is why bundling tasks changes the value.
HomeAdvisor handyperson hourly rate and price list guides, Oct 2026.
A handyman makes sense when the job needs tools or ladders you do not own, or when a list of small tasks would eat several weekends. Group the jobs into one visit so the trip charge and minimum hour are spread across more work.
Some tasks are easy DIY. Hanging a shelf, assembling flat-pack furniture or replacing a faucet washer costs little in tools. Skip DIY on anything that involves wiring, gas, structural work or a permit, because the risk is higher than the labor you save.
Typical prices by task. Small jobs are often priced flat, so the quote depends more on the task than on the clock.
HomeAdvisor handyperson price list and light fixture cost guide, compared Oct 2026.
The right choice depends on the task and the risk. A handyman covers the small jobs, a licensed contractor covers the regulated ones, and DIY covers what you can safely handle.
A handyman fits a list of small repairs, a licensed contractor is required for wiring, gas, roofing and structural work, and DIY only makes sense where a mistake costs little. Ask for the hourly rate and minimum before booking, then run the estimate through our quote checker.
Clear scope and a written estimate are the difference between a smooth visit and a surprise bill.
Send the handyman a list with photos and measurements before the visit. Clear scope means an accurate estimate and fewer surprises when the truck arrives.
Ask for the hourly rate, the minimum charge, the trip fee and how materials are billed. Get the estimate in writing, even for a small visit.
Confirm the handyman is insured and ask who carries liability. Licensed trades are required for electrical, plumbing and roofing work in many areas.
Move furniture, clear the wall and buy fixtures or brackets ahead of time. A cleared space saves billed hours and lets the work start on arrival.
The handyman reviews each task, flags anything that needs a different trade and agrees on priority. Additions mid-visit should be quoted before they start.
Fixtures get tested, shelves get loaded and the TV is checked for level and stud mounting. Photograph anything that looks marginal before the handyman leaves.
Walk the list together, confirm each item is done and pay by card for a receipt. Book follow-up work only after the first visit is finished.
Detailed cost guides for each job are being written; the tools above price every one of them today.
Checked against the official source on Oct 28, 2026. General information, not legal advice. Handyman work is regulated by permit, and by state license for some trades.
Handyman rates run $50 to $150 per hour, and most projects cost $65 to $1,500, with an average near $405, per HomeAdvisor. A self-employed handyman charges $50 to $80 per hour, a company $75 to $125, and a trip charge adds $30 to $80.
Solo handymen typically charge $50 to $80 per hour, while companies charge $75 to $125. HomeAdvisor's price list puts the range at $60 to $125 per hour, rising for licensed or corporate crews. Ask whether travel is included and whether a minimum applies.
Many do, often one or two hours plus a trip charge of $30 to $80. That is why a 20-minute job can cost $100 or more. Bundling several tasks into one visit spreads the minimum across more work and lowers the cost per item.
Small swaps like a light fixture or faucet are often fine, but new wiring, panel work and gas lines usually need a licensed electrician or plumber. Unlicensed work can fail inspection and void insurance, so ask for the license when a job crosses that line.
TV mounting runs $150 to $350, per HomeAdvisor, depending on TV size, wall type and whether cables are concealed. Drywall with metal studs or a brick wall takes more time. Buy the bracket ahead and confirm the handyman will install customer-supplied hardware.
A handyman is cheaper for small repairs and punch lists, while a licensed contractor is required for permitted, structural or high-risk work. For a single minor task, the trip charge can make a handyman more expensive than a specialist.
Most visits run two to four hours, enough for a short list of small jobs. Larger projects like painting a room or installing shelving can take a full day. Book the visit around the tasks, and expect add-ons to extend the time.
You can buy fixtures, brackets, paint and parts yourself, and many handymen prefer it because it avoids markup. Confirm before the visit that the handyman will install customer-supplied items, since some will not warranty work on parts they did not supply.
Licensing rules vary by state and by task, and most handymen carry general liability insurance even when no license is required. Ask for proof of insurance before work starts. For electrical, plumbing or roofing, hire a licensed trade.