Name: ServiceBeaver
Price range: $$$

How much does a handyman cost?

Very common question, and a tough one to answer since handyman pricing depends on many factors.

As starters, the first factor is how handyman charge for their services, some base their prices on an hourly rate, others on scope of work, some allow you to purchase materials, others only use materials that they purchase. Read along to learn more.

How does a handyman price a project?
Pricing projects depend on a number of variables:

1. Complexity of the project
2. Anticipated duration of execution
3. Tools needed
4. Materials and consumables needed
5. Location of the project and availability of services (i.e. electricity, water, suppliers, etc.)
6. Environmental difficulties (i.e. season impact, ease of access to site, rain, etc.)
7. Permit requirements
8. Handyman/business operating costs
9. Warranty costs

As an example, when pricing a door replacement the elements of the price will include all materials required to replace the door, consumables including painting and caulk, driving time to -and from- the job location, the size of the door (and helper, if needed), the type of door and complexity to paint (or stain), the location of the door (front door, first floor, second floor), door type (interior, exterior, glass, panel, etc.) and more. In addition to these costs there will be operational costs, overhead, and profit.

Do handymen charge per hour?
Some handymen do charge per hour, but most frequently you will see charges by scope of work. Pricing by the hour seems a fair way to charge for work; however, inevitably there will be a tension between the desire of a customer to accelerate the job and therefore pay less, and the ability of the handyman to perform a quality work without time pressures. Naturally, there will always be a risk or temptation of taking longer than needed since compensation is based on time. In our case ServiceBeaver very seldom charges per hour, most of our projects are charged based on scope.

Why do handyman prices vary?
Prices vary widely and depend on many factors, the most common listed below:

Independent operator vs company, value proposition
Independent handymen and a handyman businesses are not the same. Both offer different experiences and in general, value propositions. In general a handyman company will offer a wider range of value-add features that many independent operators don’t. In the following factors we will elaborate on this. Certainly there are outliers and in some cases independent handymen can be more expensive than handyman companies.
Warranty
Independent operators may not always offer a warranty on their work, or it may be discretionary to the point that customers have little to no recourse when disagreements arise. Professional handymen and reputable companies usually do offer warranties and will stand behind their work, and at times even if the warranty period has expired.
Insurance, licenses, certifications
Known also as part of the overhead costs, insurance, licenses, certifications, and similar are factored in the price of the services. While these are intangibles that customers do pay but don’t see reflected in their projects, having them give customers peace of mind that the work will be done professionally, in accordance with industry practices and regulations, and that in the event of an accident they will be covered.
Skills
When you hire a handyman you are also hiring his/her skillset, which has cost him/her both formal and informal training, also years of experience and practice. The more skilled your handyman is, and the wider the variety of tasks that he/she can accomplish the more expensive he/she will be. Consider how a handyman should be prepared to address an electrical problem, repair drywall, find and repair a leak, assemble furniture, paint, or do masonry work. The broader the skillset the more costly the handyman will be.
Reliability
Knowing that your handyman will show up when he/she promises, and that work will be completed within an agreed timeframe and price results in a reliable interaction. While less sophisticated repairmen may not responsibly cover all these elements, a reputable business or professional handyman will provide reliable service and earn your trust.
Quality
A big differentiator among handyman is the final product or service that they sell, which includes the quality of materials used and the workmanship.

Door maintenance

Can I find good quality work at low cost?
Usually for handymen, whether independent or part of a company, prices of services goes hand-in-hand with quality and this goes along with any other trade. Handymen spend years developing and learning a variety of skills, carry thousands of dollars in specialty tools and often times parts and consumables, professional handymen also take pride on their work and will responsibly address any dissatisfaction that their customers may have on a job; all these attributes come with a price tag that very seldom goes on sale.

A common misconception is the idea that handymen or “repairmen” are “jacks of all trades, masters of none” that repair almost anything at low cost. Individuals who fall in this category frequently operate in an informal way that not always follows good industry practices, uses quality materials, or offers a warranty.

What risks do I run when selecting the lowest price option?
The old saying “you get what you pay for” is frequently true, and hiring a low-cost option may not render the quality, durability, and finish that you may be expecting. Frequently we are called to fix projects done by other “handymen” who did not have the skills or tools to do the right job. You probably have also seen videos online of accidents caused by a repairmen, a very viral one being holes drilled into water lines. Yes, accidents can happen, but these occurrences can be minimized with proper training. In the event that an accident happens you will definitely want to have the confidence that your provider will own the situation and address it responsibly, with insurance policy if needed.

Low-cost options may also render a less than ideal customer experience, which means delays, long project execution time, no call-backs, and more. We often times hear about handymen or repairmen who start projects and take much longer than anticipated to finish them and even in some times not come back to finish the project. Just as we write this post we recall a project that a customer started and should have been finished months ago and not only it is not yet finished, but also currently nobody is actively working on open items.

Lastly, and perhaps the most important, is the element of security and safety. When you hire someone who is backed by a reputable company and ideally background-checked you have the peace of mind that the chances of something bad happening are very low. This alone is a strong reason to allow a professional handyman into the most sacred place for you, your home.

Professional Handyman

When do I know that I am getting a fair price and quality project?
Do your homework and trust your instincts. Research your provider, check social networks, prior work, reviews, good sources are the Better Business Bureau, Google Reviews, TrustPilot, Yelp, and HomeAdvisor among others. Check for certifications and licenses, ask for proof of insurance coverage, inquire about warranty. Once you understand all these elements, trust your instincts; who do you feel is a better fit for your project?

If you would like us to evaluate your system please contact us at your convenience.