Guide · Pricing
How to price a handyman job
Most handymen undercharge on small jobs and lose money on driving. A minimum charge and a few flat prices fix both.
Start from an hourly rate that covers your pay, overhead and the hours you can't bill. Estimate the hours for the job, multiply, add materials with a markup, and never go below a minimum charge that covers the trip. For jobs you do often, like mounting a TV or replacing a faucet, set a flat price so you can quote on the phone. Check your state's handyman dollar limit before quoting bigger jobs.
The four pieces
- Hourly rate. Built from your yearly pay, overhead and billable hours. If you haven't worked it out, use how to calculate your hourly rate. The examples below use $85.
- Minimum charge. The least you'll take to show up, often one hour. It covers drive time, setup and the job you can't stack with another.
- Materials with markup. Your time to buy, carry and stand behind the parts. A 25% markup is common; remember that's a 20% margin.
- Flat prices for repeat jobs. Once you know a task usually takes 90 minutes, quote it as one number.
Worked examples at $85 an hour
| Job | Math | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Replace interior door and hardware (customer buys door) | 1.5 hrs × $85 = $127.50, plus $35 hardware × 1.25 = $43.75 | $171.25, round to $175 |
| Mount a TV, no wiring in the wall | Under an hour, so the 1-hour minimum applies | $85 |
| Swap a bathroom fan cover and a light switch | 0.5 hrs × $85 = $42.50, plus $30 parts × 1.25 = $37.50 = $80; minimum is $85 | $85 |
Example numbers only. Use your own rate and costs; the job price calculator does the math.
Common mistakes
- No minimum. A 20-minute job across town at an hourly rate loses money once you count the drive.
- Pricing materials at cost. You bought them, carried them, and you'll get the call if they fail.
- Guessing on bigger jobs. Break them into tasks and price each one. A one-line lump sum invites "why so much?"
- Going over your license limit. Many states cap unlicensed handyman work by total job price, materials included. California, Nevada and Arizona are $1,000; see handyman license limits.
In Settle
Set your hourly rate in your business profile. When you describe a job out loud, Settle prices labor with your rate and reuses the prices you've charged before for the same items, and marks anything it had to guess so you can check it before sending.
How much should a handyman charge per hour?
Enough to cover your pay, your business costs and the hours you can't bill. Work it out from your own numbers rather than copying someone else's rate.
Should a handyman have a minimum charge?
Yes. A minimum, often one hour, covers the drive and setup on small jobs.
Is it better to charge by the hour or by the job?
Flat prices are easier for customers to accept and reward you for working efficiently. Build them from your hourly rate and the time the job usually takes.
Say the job and Settle prices it with your rates.
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