Quick answer: Handyman work is usually priced per task from a price list or by labor hours with a minimum charge, plus parts and materials, with several small jobs grouped on one estimate.
Pricing methods for handyman jobs
| Method | When it fits |
|---|---|
| Per task | Common jobs such as mounting a TV, hanging a door or patching drywall. |
| Hourly with a minimum | Mixed punch lists where the total time is easier to estimate than each task. |
| Half-day or full-day rate | Long punch lists the customer wants done in one visit. |
You can use more than one method in the same business. What matters is that the customer can see which one applies to their estimate.
What drives the price of a handyman job
- Number and type of tasks on the list.
- Parts and materials, and who buys them.
- Travel time and the minimum charge.
- Ladders, access and working height.
- Licensed work that must be excluded or referred.
What to check before you quote
- What is the full list of jobs, not just the first one?
- Does the customer have the parts?
- Are any tasks licensed electrical or plumbing work?
- Can everything be done in one visit?
Write the answers into the scope of work. When the price later depends on one of them, the customer can see the assumption you priced on.
Worked example: home repair list
This is the example job in our free handyman estimate template. The quantities and prices are illustrations to show the structure, not price recommendations; use your own costs and rates.
| Line item | Qty | Unit | Example amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Patch and paint drywall holes | 4 | each | $260 |
| Replace interior door hardware | 6 | each | $210 |
| Rehang and adjust sticking doors | 2 | each | $150 |
| Install shelves | 3 | each | $165 |
| Recaulk tub and shower | 1 | each | $140 |
| Replace light fixture (fixture supplied) | 2 | each | $170 |
| Hang TV mount | 1 | each | $120 |
| Materials and supplies | 1 | lot | $90 |
| Example subtotal | $1,305 |
Notice that each part of the price has its own line. A customer comparing your estimate with a cheaper one can see what the other bid may have left out, and you can discuss one line instead of defending the whole total.
Build your markup on real overhead
Whatever the method, a price has to cover four things: direct costs (materials and parts), labor at a loaded rate that includes payroll costs, overhead such as vehicles, insurance, software and the office, and profit. A simple check:
- Add up your yearly overhead and divide it by the hours you can bill in a year. That is the overhead each billable hour has to carry.
- Add it to your loaded labor cost per hour to get your break-even hourly cost.
- Add your profit margin on top, and use the result for both hourly and flat-rate prices.
Margin and markup are not the same: a 50% markup on cost is a 33% margin on the price. Decide which one you are using and apply it consistently.
Send the price, then follow up
Most handyman estimates are not lost on price alone. They are lost when the customer goes quiet and nobody checks in. Agree on a decision date when you send the estimate and follow up once on that date. Our follow-up email templates give you the wording.
Want a ready-made layout? Download the free handyman estimate template in Excel, Word or PDF, or see how SprigDeal handles a handyman estimate from the first quote to the signed approval.
Frequently asked questions
Should a handyman charge by the hour or by the job?
Per-job prices are easier for customers to accept; hourly with a minimum suits mixed lists. Either way, list each task so the customer sees what is included.
What is a handyman minimum charge?
A minimum charge covers travel and setup on small jobs. State it on the estimate so customers understand why a 15-minute task has a minimum price.