A handyman costs $50 to $125 per hour, or a flat rate per job, with most small jobs landing between $150 and $600.123 Angi’s average project is $405 across 103,764 jobs1 and Fixr’s is $300.3 Expect a minimum charge of $75 to $200 no matter how quick the fix.23 Prices below are national averages* for 2026.
*National averages, not local quotes. Your price depends on the task list, who supplies materials, your location, and whether the handyman is self-employed or part of a franchise.
$50 – $125/hr
hourly rate, all 3 sources
$75 – $200
minimum charge, HomeGuide
$405
average project, Angi (103,764 jobs)
$320 – $600
full-day rate, HomeGuide
Quick math: four small fixes booked as four separate visits can cost four minimum charges: 4 x $75 to $200 = $300 to $800, our arithmetic. The same list done in one half-day visit at $50 to $80 per hour runs $200 to $320.2 Bundling a task list into one visit is the single biggest handyman savings lever — every source says so.123
Hourly rates: who you hire changes the rate
| Handyman type | HomeGuide | Angi | Fixr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-employed | $50 – $80 | — | — |
| Corporate / franchise | $75 – $125 | — | — |
| Uninsured or rural | $35 – $65 | — | — |
| Typical range (all) | $50 – $125 | $50 – $150 | $50 – $100 (avg $65) |
| Emergency / rush | — | — | $90 – $200 |
Self-employed handymen undercut franchises because franchises carry insurance, marketing, and dispatch overhead.2 Angi’s $150 ceiling covers specialized work like electrical, plumbing, or carpentry.1 Fixr’s $65 average is the number to anchor on for a routine visit.3 Per-day rates of $320 to $600 work out cheaper than hourly once a job passes about five hours.2
Minimums, trip charges, and markups
The minimum charge — $75 to $200 (HomeGuide), most commonly $130 (Fixr) — covers the first hour or a set number of hours, so a 10-minute fix costs the same as a 50-minute one.23 Some handymen skip the minimum and bill from the moment they leave for your house: a 30-minute drive plus a 15-minute job bills as 45 minutes.3
When the handyman buys materials, expect a markup of 10% to 30% (Angi) or 20% to 50%+ (HomeGuide), sometimes plus a $30 to $80 trip charge for the supply run.12 The sources disagree on how steep markups get, but agree on the fix: buy your own materials when you can.12
Cost by common job
| Job | Angi | HomeGuide | Fixr |
|---|---|---|---|
| TV mounting | $300 – $400 | $100 – $300 | $300 – $400 |
| Ceiling fan installation | $100 – $400 | $75 – $150 | — |
| Faucet replacement | $100 – $300 | $120 – $300 (install) | ~$75 (owner supplies faucet) |
| Drywall patch | $120 – $350 | $200 – $800 (repair) | $275 – $800 (larger repair) |
| Toilet installation | — | $120 – $230 | $100 – $200 |
| Shelf installation | $150 – $500 | $150 – $500 | — |
| Door adjustment / repair | $75 – $220 | $75 – $220 (frame) | — |
| Gutter cleaning | — | $100 – $225 | — |
| Furniture assembly | — | $85 – $200 | — |
| Painting (per room) | $200 – $1,600 | $350 – $850 | $400 – $1,000 (excl. paint) |
Shelf installation is the rare exact agreement: $150 to $500 from both sources that list it.12 TV mounting splits on scope — HomeGuide’s $100 to $300 is a straightforward wall mount, while Angi and Fixr’s $300 to $400 includes moving the outlet behind the TV and running HDMI.123
What moves the price
Bundling: one visit with a task list beats several single-job visits — minimums and travel get paid once.12
Licensing thresholds: many states require a contractor license for jobs over $500 to $10,000, which changes who can legally take the work.2
Materials: supplying your own avoids 10% to 50% markups and supply-run trip charges.12
Location: urban and high-cost areas run higher; rural rates drop but travel fees may apply ($0.30 to $0.60 per mile or $10 to $50 flat).12
Prep: moving furniture or clearing the work area is billed as labor — do it yourself before the visit.1
Worked examples
Example 1 — the Saturday list. A leaky faucet ($65 to $150), gutter cleaning ($100 to $225), and a door adjustment ($75 to $220), HomeGuide flat rates2 — booked separately with three minimums, up to $300 to $800 in fees alone (our arithmetic); bundled into one 3-to-4-hour visit at $50 to $80 per hour: $150 to $320, plus materials.2
Example 2 — TV mounting. Straightforward mount: $100 to $300 (HomeGuide).2 With the outlet relocated behind the TV and HDMI run: $300 to $400 (Angi, Fixr) — and that exact job is Fixr’s $300 national-average example.13
Example 3 — drywall repair and repaint, 12 x 12 room. Fixr’s high-end example is $1,000 all-in.3 Priced separately at HomeGuide rates: drywall repair $200 to $800 + painting $350 to $850 = $550 to $1,650, our arithmetic — Fixr’s $1,000 sits comfortably inside.23
FAQ
Handyman or contractor? A handyman handles small repairs, installs, and maintenance. Anything needing permits, a license, or a crew — remodels, additions, major electrical or plumbing — is contractor territory.1
Should I tip a handyman? The sources disagree: Angi calls $10 to $20 common for small jobs and $20 to $50 for big ones, while HomeGuide says a handyman does not expect a tip. Neither says it is required — a good review or referral goes just as far.12
Why is there a minimum charge? It covers travel and setup so a 15-minute job still pays for the trip — usually $75 to $200 or about two hours of the hourly rate.23
How do I keep costs down? Bundle tasks into one visit, buy your own materials, clear the work area first, and get multiple quotes.12
When do I pay? After the job is completed — avoid large upfront payments.2
DIY shopping: a stud finder pays for itself the first time you hang shelves or a TV yourself (plain link, no affiliate relationship).
Sources
- Angi, How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Handyman? (2026 data, 103,764 projects).
- HomeGuide, Handyman Hourly Rates & Price List (2026).
- Fixr, Handyman Cost.
Related guides
Ceiling Fan Installation Cost
Drywall Repair Cost
Interior Painting Cost
All cost guides
Garage Door Installation Cost
Appliance Repair Cost
Countertop Installation Cost