{"id":5532,"date":"2018-07-31T18:00:45","date_gmt":"2018-07-31T07:00:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.airtasker.com\/blog\/?p=5532"},"modified":"2022-09-27T15:24:59","modified_gmt":"2022-09-27T04:24:59","slug":"price-guide-how-to-find-a-handyman-on-a-budget","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.airtasker.com\/blog\/price-guide-how-to-find-a-handyman-on-a-budget\/","title":{"rendered":"Price Guide: How to find a handyman on a budget"},"content":{"rendered":"

When we say \u2018affordable handyman<\/a>\u2019, what we\u2019re really talking about is getting bang for bucks.<\/p>\n

Price too cheaply, and you risk a botch job. On the other hand, there are heaps of companies out there who will charge you a massive sum for something as simple as changing a light bulb.<\/p>\n

So how do you navigate this minefield?<\/p>\n

How handymen set a price<\/h2>\n

First things first, you need to get a grip on exactly how handymen charge out their services.<\/p>\n

The end price is usually a combination of three things: labour, equipment and a call-out fee. We\u2019ll cover the last two a little later.<\/p>\n

Handyman labour is typically charged by the hour, and the rate is often determined by the skill level of the handyman. There\u2019s no science to this, each handyman determines their own rate. The average hourly rate of a\u00a0handyman\u00a0is in the $30 to $50\u00a0price\u00a0range.<\/strong> However, there are professional\u00a0handyman<\/b>\u00a0services that may charge up to $90 an hour.\u00a0Below is a rough guide on the cost involved in hiring a quality handyman:<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Visit our Handyman service page<\/a> for the price guide\u00a0for a comprehensive guide.<\/p>\n

Understanding the call-out fee<\/h2>\n

A call-out fee is unique to handyman services and it\u2019s basically a fee that you pay to get the handyman to come and inspect your task. It typically costs around $40 to $50 and covers the handyman\u2019s expertise, petrol and travel time to your home. This is either factored into the total price or paid upfront for the work.<\/p>\n

Iain says you may be able to negotiate a lower fee by hiring a local handyman that\u2019s close by. If it\u2019s convenient, they may waive or lower the fee.<\/p>\n

So, should you buy the building materials?<\/h2>\n

It\u2019s another way you can save on handyman costs. So, for example, if you\u2019re replacing a door, you buy the door, the handyman installs it.<\/p>\n

Iain says handymen typically expect to have to provide all equipment and materials for any task, unless you say otherwise. Depending on the complexity of the task, it\u2019s best to let them, he says.<\/p>\n

Iain\u2019s seen situations where people have tried to save money by buying the materials beforehand, but wasted money buying the wrong things. He says you should stick to this rule:<\/p>\n