Handyman work is deceptively hard to price because the job the customer sees ("just hang this") isn't the job you're actually doing (drive there, unload, diagnose, run to the store, do the work, clean up, drive home). Get your pricing structure right and every trip pays for itself.
Three ways to charge
- Hourly — $50–$110/hour plus materials. Best for diagnostic or open-ended work where you can't predict the time.
- Flat rate — a set price for a common, predictable job (mount a TV, swap a faucet, install a ceiling fan). Rewards your speed and gives the customer certainty.
- Day rate — a half- or full-day block for a punch list of small tasks.
Always set a minimum
A $75–$200 minimum (often a one- or two-hour minimum) is non-negotiable. That "five-minute" job still costs you a round trip and setup. The minimum makes sure a small job is worth leaving the driveway for — and it filters out customers looking for a freebie.
Bundle punch lists into a block
When a customer has a list — a loose railing, a sticky door, a leaky faucet, a picture to hang — don't price each item. Estimate the total hours and quote a half-day or full-day rate. It's simpler, avoids nickel-and-diming, and is usually more profitable than itemizing tiny tasks. Build the list in the handyman estimate tool.
Charge for materials properly
Bill materials at cost plus a reasonable markup for the pickup and handling — the store run is billable effort, not a favor. See markup vs. margin for how to set that. Then turn the completed work into a handyman invoice and get paid before you drive to the next one.