How much should I charge for handyman work?

Part of: Handyman Business

Handyman work in the US costs $65 to $1,200 a job, about $390 on average, according to HomeAdvisor's 2026 cost guide, with hourly rates of $60 to $125 plus materials. Thumbtack puts most jobs at $134 to $460. Use those ranges as a reality check, then set your own rate from your costs and add a minimum so small jobs still pay.

This guide is part of our Handyman Business Growth hub.

What do handymen charge in 2026?

These two national cost guides agree on the basic shape: small jobs land in the low hundreds, and a full day runs closer to $1,000. Both are national figures, so local prices can be higher or lower.

Thumbtack also splits prices by type of work: $187 to $365 for assembly and $208 to $452 for repairs.

Should I charge by the hour or by the job?

Use both, for different jobs.

1. Charge by the hour when you cannot see the full problem yet, such as a leak behind a wall or an old door that may need more than new hinges.
2. Quote a flat price for jobs you do often, such as mounting a TV, assembling furniture or swapping a faucet. Customers like knowing the total up front.
3. Bill materials separately on both. HomeAdvisor's hourly range is quoted plus materials, so list parts as their own line on the estimate.

Track your real time on every job for a month. After that, you will know which flat prices make money and which need to go up.

How do I work out my own hourly rate?

Start from what you need to earn, add your costs, then compare the result with the market ranges above.

1. Pick what you want to pay yourself for an hour on the job. For context, employees in general maintenance and repair earned a median of $23.84 an hour in 2025, based on BLS data shown on O*NET OnLine. As your own boss you also cover what an employer would.
2. Add self-employment tax. The IRS says the self-employment tax rate is 15.3%, on top of income tax.
3. Add the cost of your vehicle. The IRS standard mileage rate for business driving is 72.5 cents a mile for January 1 to June 30, 2026, and 76 cents a mile from July 1 to December 31, 2026, which is a fair yardstick for what driving really costs.
4. Add tools, insurance, phone and software, spread across the hours you bill.
5. Add unpaid time: quoting, buying parts, driving and paperwork.
6. Add a margin so the business can grow, then compare your number with HomeAdvisor's $60 to $125 range.

If your number lands well below that range, you are probably underpricing.

Should I charge a trip fee or a minimum?

Yes, if small jobs are eating your day. Thumbtack says some handymen charge travel as a flat fee, such as $10, and others charge by the mile. It also says a minimum service fee is often a minimum number of hours: at $50 an hour with a 2 hour minimum, the smallest job is $100.

One simple way to lay out your charges:

Put these on your website so customers see them before they ask. Our handyman website guide covers what else to show there.

Can the size of a job change the rules?

In some states, yes, and this varies by state. In California, for example, the Contractors State License Board says the handyman limit rose from $500 to $1,000 on January 1, 2025: work that totals $1,000 or more in labor and materials, needs a building permit, or uses employees requires a contractor license there. Other states set different limits or license handymen outright, so check your own state's contractor board before you quote bigger jobs.

How do I raise my prices?

Raise them for new customers first, then for regulars with notice.

1. Update the "jobs start at" line on your site and your quote template.
2. Tell repeat customers in writing a few weeks before the change.
3. Keep your reviews and job photos current, so a higher price looks earned.

More customers asking for quotes makes it easier to say no to jobs that do not pay. Our guide on how to grow a handyman business covers where those leads come from.

How Momyntum helps

Fair prices only help if people can find you. Momyntum is a $49 a month growth service that covers your website and hosting, outreach that brings in new customers, help getting found on Google and AI search, and a short weekly report by email, with a 14 day free trial and no card needed. Get your free website check or start a 14-day trial.

By Momyntum Team. Updated November 1, 2026. For: Handyman.

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