What Does a Handyman Cost? [2024 Data]
Normal range: $177 - $691
The cost to hire a handyperson ranges from $177 and $691, with an average cost of $412. However, your cost will depend heavily on the tasks you hire the pro to complete.
When it comes to tackling those tricky home projects you’ve been putting off, a handyperson can quickly save the day. Hiring a handyperson can cost as low as $65 or as high as $1,500, but they average around $412 per project. The average homeowner spends between $177 and $691 to hire a handyperson.
At Angi, we recognize that all genders can be handy, so we use the terms handyman and handyperson interchangeably. Whether you need help changing a lightbulb or repairing cabinets, a handyperson can shorten your to-do list, stat. Let’s take a look at how much it costs to hire a handyperson.
- Average
- $412
- Low end
- $65
- high end
- $1,500
Handyperson Cost Factors
Feedback from an Angi customer:
"[My handyperson] is polite, attentive, always ready to answer questions during the process, and is very good at explaining what needs to be done and why... They are always sensitive to what the repair or project will cost and check in to make sure I'm comfortable with repair [and] material costs. Completely trustworthy. I'm relieved I found them after purchasing my new home."
— Meg S., Rochester, NY
While the projects that a handyperson may tackle sound simple, the size and scope of each project will vary. That’s why your neighbor may have only paid $250 to replace a few lights, while you may have paid around $1,000 because you needed new light fixtures installed.
Be sure to do your research, ask plenty of questions, and check references. All of these precautions will help prevent you from falling for the rare handyperson scam.
Type of Charge
When hiring a local handyperson, the first question to ask is if they charge by the hour or a flat price. If they charge by the hour, they will likely charge $50 to $150 per hour, not including materials and travel costs. Some handypeople may also charge full-day rates or minimum charges, so give them as many details as possible and ask about their handyperson pricing structure before their visit.
| Handyperson Type of Rate | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Hourly | $50–$150 per hour |
| Daily | $350–$600 per day |
| Minimum rate | $50–$200 |
| Flat rate per task | Varies |
Minimum Hours or Flat Rate
Like all contractors, a handyperson must be able to cover their basic overhead costs when they come to your house for a job. That’s why you will encounter either a service fee made up of a minimum number of hours or a flat-rate fee per project.
A minimum rate fee will often include at least two to three hours of work to ensure that the price covers gas, basic tools, and general overhead costs like insurance. If the handyperson's hourly rate is $75, the job may cost $150 to $225, even if the project only takes an hour.
On the other hand, flat rates take time out of the equation and account for everything upfront. Handyperson flat fees vary from project to project, which we cover below.
Hear it from a handyperson:
"I charge by the hour and break it down into 15-minute increments, but it's $75 an hour...it's nice to keep it simple for the customers...clients will call me for one-off small projects where they're going to have to pay my two-hour minimum flat rate ($150), even if it takes me 15 to 20 minutes, and I'm in and out of the house. So I always like to tell people to get a to-do list together so they're not paying for that extra time for no reason unless they absolutely need to."
— Brandon Cooley, Handyperson, Cooley Home Repair
Size of the Project
The size of the project will be the most significant factor when it comes to the final price of hiring a local handyperson. There’s a good chance they’re operating independently without a team to back them up, meaning a larger project will generally take longer (and will cost more) than a smaller project.
| Handyperson Job Size | Average Cost | Job Size Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Small | $75–$250 | Lawn care, TV mounting, thermostat installation, light bulb replacement, gutter cleaning, ceiling fan installation, hanging art |
| Medium | $250–$550 | Drywall repair, shower calking, holiday light installation, fence repair, minor roof repair |
| Large | $550–$1,500 | Room painting, floor installation, window replacement, significant drywall replacement, concrete work |
Distance to Job Site
Remember that the handyperson must travel to your home to complete the task. The further away you are from their office site, the more they’ll likely charge. Research the travel fee charged by potential handypeople to avoid being surprised by the final bill.
Experience
Expect to pay more for years of service—a handyperson’s rates can fluctuate based on their experience level and the licenses they carry. A skilled handyperson who has spent years perfecting their craft might finish the project faster than someone just starting out, but you’ll likely pay a little more for their expertise.
Self-Employed vs. Commercial
Handypeople are either independent contractors or are part of a larger company that employs many handypeople. The overall cost to hire a self-employed handyperson might be lower than that of a corporate employee, though not always.
Additional Material Costs
The price you pay for material costs depends on how your handyperson charges for their work. If you’re being billed a flat rate for the project, your labor and materials are included in the overall cost. If you’re being billed by the hour, materials will cost extra on top of the labor fees quoted.
You might incur a materials markup of 20% to 50% on materials if your handyperson is shopping for them, or if paying your handyperson by the hour, you might pay a shopping charge of $30 to $90.
Licenses
Many states have a “Handyman exemption” clause regarding being licensed. This means that a handyperson does not have to have a license to perform their task under a certain dollar amount, whereas other specialty contractors must always have a license. Since licensing laws vary from state to state, you’ll usually expect to pay a little more for a licensed and insured handyperson than for one who is unlicensed.
Tipping
Handypeople generally don’t expect a tip for their services, particularly if it’s a one-time job. However, if you have a handyperson that you use regularly throughout the year for smaller jobs, a once-a-year tip might be a nice gesture, especially during the holidays. If you choose to tip, anywhere from $10 to $50 would be considered appropriate, depending on the work done.
How Much Do Handypeople Cost by Hour?
If your handyperson charges by the hour and not a flat rate by the task, you can expect to spend between $50 and $150 per hour. Generally speaking, self-employed handypeople charge lower rates than those of a large company. Handyperson average hourly rates for a self-employed worker can be expected between $50 and $100, while commercial handypeople may charge between $75 and $150 per hour.
Handyperson Hourly Rates in My Area
The local cost of living and corresponding labor rates will have a big say on your handyperson's hourly rate. As we mentioned above, the pro must be able to cover their travel and overhead fees with each job. The total price you pay to hire a handyperson will vary based on your region, project type, and hours worked.
| Major U.S. City | Average Handyperson's Hourly Rate |
|---|---|
| Austin | $50–$95 |
| Boston | $50–$150 |
| Denver | $50–$90 |
| Detroit | $60–$90 |
| Los Angeles | $70–$140 |
| Miami | $50–$95 |
| New York | $70–$145 |
| Phoenix | $50–$90 |
| Pittsburgh | $50–$110 |
| Seattle | $50–$80 |
How Much Do Handypeople Cost by Project?
The type of project the handyperson tackles is the biggest factor that influences the final price. For example, installing weather stripping on doors and windows ahead of a chilly winter will cost more than hanging a simple light fixture in your new home.
| Projects Handypeople Can Do | Projects Handypeople Cannot Do |
|---|---|
| Painting | HVAC installation |
| TV mounting | Water heater replacement |
| Tile and grout cleaning | Major remodeling |
| Light fixture replacement | Fireplace installation |
| Minor roof repair | New roof installation |
| Minor plumbing work | Asbestos removal |
| Holiday light installation | Application of pesticides |
| Furniture assembly | Alarm system installation |
Note: These lists are not inclusive of all projects handypeople can and cannot do. It’s always best to consult a handyperson in your area for additional information and limitations.
Cost to DIY Common Handyperson Tasks
The great debate when considering whether to hire a local handyperson: Can I pull this off myself? We know there are projects you shouldn't DIY without experience, but plenty of projects are doable and more cost-effective to complete yourself.
When debating between DIYing a project and outsourcing it to a handyperson, there are two questions to keep in mind:
Can I do this project safely?
Is the extra money spent on a handyperson worth it in the long run?
Often, the cost of hiring a handyperson might be more than if you were to DIY the project yourself, but you’ll save time and hassle by offloading it to a pro. And let’s be honest—there are just some jobs (like cleaning your gutters) that sound like a chore you just don’t want to do.
Let's look at some of our earlier handyperson projects and check how much they'd cost to DIY.
| Project | Handyperson Cost, Labor Only | Average DIY Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Interior painting | $350–$1,000 | $200–$300 |
| TV mounting | $100–$400 | $15–$600 |
| Tile and grout cleaning | $250–$700 | $30–$60 |
| Light fixture replacement | $65–$200 | $30–$300 |
| Minor roof repair | $200–$900 | $20–$120 |
| Minor plumbing work | $150–$900 | $5–$200 |
| Holiday light installation | $250–$800 | $120–$1,500 |
| Furniture assembly | $90–$300 | $5–$50 |
How to Save Money on Handyperson Costs
Saving money on the cost of a handyperson often comes down to big-picture thinking. You'll save money in the long run if you hire a handyperson to repair something instead of attempting a DIY route—and possibly botching it.
Additionally, reducing handyperson costs comes down to using their time wisely and communicating during the proposal process. Here are some cost-saving tips to consider.
Speak with at least three handypeople in your area when hiring.
Explain your project’s details, including possible specialty tools required for the job, before they come out to the house.
Provide photos or videos of the issue or area in your proposal to clarify the plan or problem.
Group home projects together into one visit to avoid paying extra travel or flat-rate fees per visit.
When possible, purchase the materials and specialty tools for the job before hiring a handyperson.
How Angi Gets Its Cost Data
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We’ve surveyed over 30,000 real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to costquotes@angi.com. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
Frequently Asked Questions
A contractor specializes in a specific field. They often operate in teams where they have subcontractors to handle specialized problems. So if you have significant plumbing, drywall, or roofing issues, you’ll want to hire a contractor, as the job may require a team.
A handyperson is typically one person who works on whatever jobs come their way. You wouldn’t call a contractor to fix the hinges on cabinets or paint your room. Instead, a handyperson can handle all these issues, saving you from making multiple phone calls.
Cleaning a gutter, replacing fixtures such as a cabinet or light, and painting are common reasons to call a handyperson. You can also call on a handyperson for simple tasks, like assembling new furniture, and complex ones, such as installing a dishwasher. Overall, handypeople are ideal in all areas of home repair that do not require a specific certification, such as with plumbing, electrical, or structural issues.