Written by Micky Down, Micky's Property Services ·
Hourly rates versus a price for the job
Handymen generally charge in one of two ways: an hourly rate, or a fixed price for the job. An hourly rate suits a list of small, unpredictable tasks where nobody knows exactly how long things will take. A fixed price suits defined jobs such as fitting blinds or mounting a television, where the work is clear before anyone arrives.
Neither is automatically cheaper. What matters is knowing which you are being quoted, and what is included in the figure.
What moves the price up or down
The biggest factor is simply time: how long the work will take, including collecting materials if needed. Beyond that, the main things that shape handyman prices are the skill involved, whether specialist tools are required, how easy access is, and whether materials are supplied by the handyman or by you.
Jobs that look identical can price differently for good reasons. Mounting a television on a solid brick wall is quick; the same television on a stud wall with cables hidden takes longer and costs more.
- The time the work will realistically take
- Whether materials are supplied or customer-bought
- Access and the condition of what is being fixed
- Specialist tools or a second pair of hands
Combining jobs to get better value
The most economical way to use a handyman is to save up a list and have several jobs done in one visit. Every visit has a minimum amount of time built in, so three small jobs together cost noticeably less than three separate callouts for the same work.
A multi-trade service stretches this further: the dripping tap, the sticking door and the room that needs painting can all go on the same list rather than needing three different tradespeople. Our property maintenance page explains how that works.
How to compare handyman quotes
A useful quote says what is included: labour, materials, making good and tidying up. Be wary of comparing a bare hourly rate against a fixed price that includes everything, because the cheapest-looking figure is not always the cheapest outcome.
It also helps to describe the job properly when you ask for a quote, with photos where possible, so the price you are given is based on the real work rather than a guess that changes on the day.
Finally, ask who is actually doing the work. A price is only meaningful if the person turning up can handle everything on the list, which is where a multi-trade service scores over a single-skill handyman: the tap, the door and the touching up all get done by the same visit rather than being quietly crossed off the list.
Need it sorted? Book a handyman
We give free, no-obligation quotes based on your actual job rather than a generic price list. Send us your list through the contact form or call 07735 852901, and if you are in Ruislip, our handyman in Ruislip page covers that area specifically.