Handyman Services Price List: How to Price Handyman Services

Did you know that:

• There are currently over 91,120 Handymen working in the United States.
• An employed Handyman is 47 years old on average, and the average annual salary for a handyman is $42,625.
• Entry-level salaries begin at $35,100 per year, with the most experienced workers earning up to $62,400 per year.
• Hourly handyman rates typically range somewhere around $60 and $70 for self-employed workers and around $125 for a handyman who works in the company.

This proves that handyman services can be a profitable career path.

But what exactly is the list of handyman services that one can provide? 

And how should you charge for them? 

Should it be hourly rates or a flat rate, or charging based on a per-project basis?

Let’s find out.

What Should a Handyman Charge?

As you may be aware, not all tasks are created equal. A simple window restoration may take less than a day, whereas a complicated kitchen renovation may take several weeks. As a result, typical hourly rates for a handyman are heavily influenced by the nature of the job. These variations are common in examples of blue collar jobs, where the complexity and duration of tasks directly impact the pricing structure.

As you begin to outline your price list, divide it into three sections depending on the size of the job: small, medium, and large.

• Small jobs are projects that require few tools and little time. Hanging artwork ($60-$125), replacing air conditioning units and light fixtures ($75), and replacing the dispenser ($75) are examples of these jobs. You can expect to earn $75-$150 per hour for this type of work.
• Medium jobs are typically more time-consuming than small jobs and necessitate the use of power tools. These jobs include replacing attic ladders ($150) and redoing shower caulking ($100-$280). In general, this type of work can pay between $150 and $300.
• Large jobs, as the name suggests, necessitate more time and special tools than small and medium jobs. Room painting ($400-$1,000) and badly damaged wallboard repair ($300-$800) are examples of this type of work.

Lists of Common Handyman Services

The type of project undertaken by the handyperson has the greatest impact on the final cost. Installing weather stripping on doors and windows, for example, will cost much more than hanging a simple light fixture in a new home.

1. Putting in a Light: Contrary to popular belief, installing light fixtures is not a simple task. You’re working with exposed wires, and one wrong move could result in you electrocuting yourself and the electrical wiring. Depending on the light fixture, the average cost for a handyperson to install a light is between $65 and $125.

2. Sink Installation: Installing a sink in the bathroom will cost around $100 to $150. A kitchen sink installation will cost between $300 and $500. Kitchen sinks cost more because they frequently have garbage disposals or multiple basins, which require additional plumbing work.

3. Painting: Painting is definitely not an easy task, and requires a proper skill set. So, one must charge accordingly for their work. Fair charges for painting a room approximately is $100 per room plus approximately $25 per hour.

4. Cabinet Refinishing: Not all handyman projects involve installation. Sometimes the customer just needs to call into help repair what is already there. Cabinet hinges are one of those things that require regular maintenance and repair. The handyman should charge $300 on average.

5. Grout and tile:  A handyman should charge around $450 to start replacing the tile and grout. If the client has more costly flooring, such as marble, you may need to charge more.

What Determines the Handyman Services You Will Provide?

Handyman services can range from interior decoration and appliance installation to minor repairs, lock changes, and even entire housing remodels. While you may be willing to offer anything, you should try to figure out which services you want to provide.

Consider the following:

• What areas of expertise do you have? (Painting, plumbing, carpentry, etc.)
• What resources do you have to get started?
• If you’ll need materials or parts, where can you get them?
• Whether you want to target commercial clients, such as apartment buildings, or residential clients, such as individual homeowners,
• What clientele do you prefer to serve, such as full detached homes or condominiums?

What Factors Affect the Cost of a Handyman?

While the projects appear to be simple, their size and scope will vary. This is why your rival may have charged $250 to replace a few lights, whereas you may have charged around $1,000 because you replaced every single light within and outside the house.

Do your homework, ask lots of questions, and check references. All of these precautionary measures will help you avoid becoming a victim of underpaying or losses.

1. The project’s size

When it comes to finalizing the cost of your services, the scope of the project will be the most important factor. There’s a good chance that you’ll be working on your own, without any support. But if the project is big, you will be required to hire more people as handling it on your own may slow down the process and there are chances that you may miss good opportunities.

2. The distance from the job site

In order to save your time, you must choose the projects that are near your office. But if the client’s place is far from your office, you must charge for your distance travel to reach the site.

3. Job description

Handymen perform a wide range of tasks, but like everyone else, the handyman tends to excel in certain areas while only performing more straightforward tasks in others.

For example, if you are an experienced handyman who specializes in tile and grout but finds drainage installations more difficult, you may end up charging more for the tiling and less for the plumbing. 

Pricing is ultimately determined by the experience. One individual may start charging more for work they know will be done well, while another may charge less for work in which they do not specialize.

4. Variable hourly rate vs. set hourly rate

Some handymen charge a flat rate, while others bill a variable target hourly wage based on the job.

For example, two handymen may approach the same drywall repair project from different pricing perspectives. Regardless of the type of repair, the handyman prices for hours will create a quote that includes their standard rate. The local handyman, on the other hand, will provide a flat-rate quote matter how long it takes to finish the minor repairs.

While the decision to prosecute a variable rate vs. a set hourly rate is totally up to the handyman, some believe it is a simple one to make:

5. Distance

Many handymen include factors such as time and gas costs to get to the job when calculating the total cost of the project. Determine the radius you’re willing to service or whether you’ll charge extra for jobs outside of your service area. Some handymen charge a flat fee for any distance beyond their service area, while others charge per mile.

6. Material expenses

As previously stated, handyman jobs are typically classified as small, medium, or large. Small jobs necessitate less time and materials, whereas medium and large jobs require more time and specialized tools. As a result, when determining your rates, you must account for these additional material costs.

7. Minimum handyman prices

Many handymen charge a minimum service fee to ensure a profit (or at least cover business expenses). This service fee is usually in the form of a set number of hours.

For example, if a handyman charges by the hour, he or she may have a two-hour minimum. That means you can charge for two hours’ worth of work even if your project succeeds in less than two hours of your time. If you intend to charge a minimum fee, make it clear to the customer, either on your website or in the quote you provide them.

Consider collaborating with your clients to ensure they receive the most cost-effective service possible.

How to Calculate Handyman Hourly Rates?

As with any business, your goal as a handyman is to make enough money to support yourself and your small business. Simultaneously, you don’t want to overcharge your customers. Offering reasonable rates allows you to establish positive working relationships in your society and appeal to customers as a reasonably priced handyman.

Determine your break-even point to balance potential profits and fair pricing. Simply put, this is the sum of money you must make to profit (and avoid losing money).

To determine your break-even point, you must first determine how much it costs to run your business. Begin by processing the following figures:

1. Business expenses – In addition to the materials mentioned above, you’ll need to consider vehicle expenses, business licensing fees (if applicable), training courses, and any payouts or benefits you provide to employees.
2. Taxes – When tax season arrives, you’ll have to pay income tax on any money you make as a handyman. If you work for yourself, you should set aside 20-30% of your income taxes for the IRS.
3. Cost of living – Knowing how much you need to earn to live comfortably in your neighborhood will help you identify how much you need to earn. The more you spend on your home loan, gas, and grocery items, the higher your rates must be to break even.
4. Your experience – If you’re a seasoned handyman, you might be able to charge a premium for your services. As a result, you may be able to work fewer hours while still making a profit. If you’re new to the industry, you may have to charge lower rates and work full-time.

Once you’ve established your benchmark, multiply it by the amount you want to earn per hour. For example, if your break-even point is $40 (that is, it costs you $40 per hour), you may wish to set your regular rate at $75 per hour. You’re now making $35 per hour (minus taxes).

Licensed Contractor or Handyman?

In short, a handyman is, as the name suggests, a skilled repairer. They are typically hired for small jobs, and while they are unlicensed “generalists,” they typically specialize in a specific type of repair.

A licensed contractor, on the other hand, has a specific skill. Contractors usually charge much more than handymen and are legally required for certain jobs. For example, while a handyman may understand the fundamentals of electric wires, an electrical contractor may be better equipped to handle electrical projects.

Manage Your Entire Field Service Business Using FieldCamp

FieldCamp is one of the leading handyman business software solutions, which can help you manage your business’ entire daily operations, and hence streamline everything.

If you have a team to manage, you can clarify job details, client location, tasks, activities, and other project details over the portal to refer to at any time and from any location.

Not only that, but once the job is completed, the invoicing part comes in, where creating invoices manually can be a pain and you can eliminate that process with FieldCamp. You can make the procedure automated and simultaneously keep a track of all your invoices. 

This is just an overview of what FieldCamp software offers for the handyman business. To find out more, sign up for a 7-day free trial. Do more than just prepare price quotes; with FieldCamp you can give your handymen service a digital boost.