Q & A
Answers to commonly asked questions from the experts on Thumbtack.
How much does a handyman charge?
Minimum rates for handyman jobs typically range from $60-$100. Pricing will depend on skill and experience required for the job, as well as regional labor rates. Here are a few examples of average handyman flat rates:
- Attic ladder replacement: $150.
- Toilet replacement: $75.
- Ceiling fan and light fixtures: $75.
- Faucet replacement: $125.
- Garbage disposal: $75.
A handyman performs general maintenance and repairs for residential and commercial properties. A handyman may charge a flat fee for standard services that take a predictable amount of time, such as installing a new appliance, as well as an hourly rate for larger projects such as digging out and replacing a rotted fence post. A cost-saving strategy when hiring a handyman is to bundle all the tasks you want them to do into one visit to make the most of any minimum service fees.
What do handymen charge per hour?
On average, you canexpect to paya handy person around $55 per hour. However, this cost can range between $35 and $80 per hour, depending on a number of factors. For instance, a handyman may charge a minimum fee of $50-$100 for small jobs that won’t take much of their time. The complexity of the job will affect the price as well. Your final price will also depend upon where you live, as certain regions have higher labor rates than others.
Get in touch with a fewhandy people near you, and ask for free cost estimates.
What does a handyman do?
A handyman is a skilled laborer who provides basic home repairs. Anyone can call themselves a handyman, although most who do so are skilled with repairs and home projects. Reading reviews is a good way to determine their fitness for your job. The tasks a handyman can perform include assembling furniture, painting interiors and exteriors, repairing fences, repairing broken doors or replacing trim, hanging lights, hooking up appliances, and much more. Handymen may have flat fees for certain services, or charge an hourly rate. Handyman rates are often lower than those of a contractor, as they don’t have the same specialization. Some states have no limit on the work a handyman can perform, while others do. For example, California’s Building and Professions Code section 7048 (small operations) permits handymen to provide work similar to that of a contractor (floor installation, painting, etc.) provided the total cost of labor and materials does not exceed $500. A handyman is a great resource for minor home repairs at a lower cost than a licensed contractor, but for more complex projects, it pays to hire a specialized contractor. Fore more, check out our tips for smart hiring on Thumbtack.
Is it worth it to hire a handyman?
It’s worth it to hire a handyman in many cases. For example, you should hire a handyman when the project’s size and scope make it challenging to complete by yourself. These projects may include major home remodels or additions, foundation work or electrical/plumbing/HVAC-related tasks. However, make sure the handyman has the proper credentials or license to perform the necessary work.
You might also want to hire a handyman if a contractor’s price is too high. Handymen often charge less than general contractors, but contractors typically have the required license to perform certain tasks.
And, lastly, think about the complexity of the job and the cost of future repairs. It’s worth it to hire a handyman when the project is complex. Doing something incorrectly can wind up costing more than hiring the pro in the first place.
Can a handyman do plumbing?
In some states, a handyman can provide plumbing services, but it may be in your best interest to call a plumber, particularly for issues more major than unclogging a drain or attaching a new sink. Hiring a plumber is important because mishandling your water and gas lines has the potential to do great damage to your home, your family’s health, or even the safety of your neighborhood. A handyman is not legally required to have any training or licensing in plumbing matters, while a licensed plumber has undergone years of education and on-the-job training. In some cases, homeowners insurance won’t cover damage caused by plumbing repair done by an unlicensed handyman.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, most plumbers learn their trade through a four- or five-year apprenticeship with 2,000 hours of paid on-the-job training. They also receive classroom education including “safety, local plumbing codes and regulations, and blueprint reading. They also study mathematics, applied physics, and chemistry. After completing an apprenticeship program, plumbers … are considered to be journey workers, qualifying them to perform duties on their own,” according to the DOL. Licensed plumbers should do continuing education to keep abreast of safety and technology changes. Poor plumbing can lead to sewage backups, a flooded home or even natural gas leaks, so it’s best to leave it in the hands of a specialized professional.
Do handymen offer remote or virtual services?
Because a handyman needs to be physically present to perform work, they have not traditionally offered remote or virtual services. However, if you come across handyman profiles that state they offer remote services, message the handymen to see what those services include.
Confer with your handyman to see if consulting over video calls is possible. The professional may be able to walk you through performing basic plumbing, electrical, HVAC and other types of repairs around the house. Compare the handymen in your area side-by-side online, and ask whether they’re willing to help remotely.
Reviews for New York handymen
Julia S.
HE WAS THE BEST HANDYMAN EVER!!!!
Frederik R.
Luis the Great handyman. punctual professional communicative
Mary D.
Awesome! Great handyman and I’d hire again!
Teddy P.
Amazing handyman! Got everything done plus more!
Thumbtack Customer
Marvin is reliable and does quality work. He is our new handyman!
PRANAY G.
Travis is an efficient handyman who fixed one of our closets; highly recommend!
Alison B.
Jeorge responded quickly, was on time and is an experienced handyman. He did a quality job.
Michael H.
Danila is a skilled handyman and a nice guy. I’d highly recommend his services.
Raj a.
second time i used Ray and have no complaints . very efficient and excellent handyman
Thumbtack Customer
We did not hire the handyman. He does not carry insurance.(left Aug 19 2016)
Anchal R.
Sergey is an excellent handyman. He knows the work very well. He is very fast, very efficient and a very hardworking person. He helped me setting up my office. We are definitely calling him back. He is the best handyman so far!!!
Victoria t.
Ron is an excellent handyman! He got the job done very well and I will definitely be rehiring!
Nitin G.
Fantastic handyman. My job required a lot of creativity and problem solving, and he made it all happen.
Nayal B.
Solid Handyman! very accommodating, very proficient for a great value. Would definitely use him again.
Andrew M.
Roman is a professional handyman, fast and quality work. Showed up on time. Easy to communicate with. Would recommend!
Maria C.
Very responsive and punctual did a great job with assorted handyman tasks around the office. Highly recommended!
Jamaal A.
He was amazing became my permanent handyman or even if I need to slightest thing I call him
Kyle T.
A friendly, processional handyman who helped me with exactly what I needed without going over budget.
Brittany F.
Great work and finished in a timely manner. Didn’t try to rip me off either like past handyman
Thumbtack Customer
Seamless process from project request to completion, and great handyman work. What else could you ask for?
Charlotte R.
Marvin was an excellent handyman--knowledgable, helpful, efficient, friendly, and with great skill! He helped me mount wall shelves and pieces of art quickly and correctly. Honestly, if you're looking for a handyman, I say look no further! You won't find anyone with better skills, a better price, and a better personality!
Bianca K.
Great work ethic and can pretty much help with everything. So happy to have found a reliable and honest handyman.
Stefany r.
Vlad was very thorough and prepared. As an interior designer, I am excited to have found a reliable handyman for future use.
Annie B.
Great communication throughout the scheduling process & on the day of. Handyman was quick & neat & instructions for preparing for the task were thorough & clear.
Thumbtack Customer
Very professional, did work quickly, in a nonintrusive manner, and excellent quality. Will definitely be contacting again for future handyman needs.
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