Common Handyman Jobs
- Assembling complex furniture
- Hanging heavy objects
- Out-of-warranty appliance repair
- Moving large household items
What Should be Included?
Scope of Work
The jobs that can potentially be done by a handyman are limitless, and unlike warranty repairs or contractors, often do not come with supporting documentation. As a result, the scope of work should be detailed. It should include:
- Task Description: What is the handyman being asked to do? Be as specific as possible.
- Materials: If the task involves building something for future use, such as a set of shelves, will the client provide the materials? If the handyman is providing the materials, then this is where the cost of those materials should be noted.
- Tools: Much of a handyman’s work will require tools. The handyman may already own what is required for a job, but if not, this is the place to clarify whether the client will be providing the tools or if the handyman will need to rent or buy them.
Payment
This section should contain the price for the job and the manner of payment. Because handymen often do not have larger businesses or organizations behind them and are dealing with individuals rather than businesses, many request a down payment of some kind.
Another factor influencing the payment section is how the handyman obtained the work. It is increasingly common for handymen to find work through apps like TaskRabbit, which collect a portion of the payment in return for matching the handyman with the client.
Location
This will specify where the work takes place. Most handyman work is done in the client’s residence because it improves the dwelling unit itself.
However, in some cases, such as the repair of smaller, easily transported objects, a handyman may work in multiple locations. If this is the case, the agreement should specify whether different conditions (or rates of pay) apply to work done in different locations.
Timeline
The timeline section will contain, at a minimum, the date on which the project will begin and end. Because many handyman jobs are small enough to complete in less than a day, it may be advisable to specify hours of the day, particularly if the handyman is paid hourly rather than per task.
Insurance
Although many handymen do not have insurance for their projects, obtaining it is highly recommended, particularly for those who do it frequently. Self-employed handymen may want to consider insurance bundles, which combine liability insurance for damage that the handyman may cause on the job with worker’s compensation, which covers injuries and accidents that happen while working.
If the handyman will be performing specialized work, such as tasks involving driving, then other types of coverage may be necessary.
Licensing
Almost all handyman work is non-specialized. While some states are considering “right to repair” laws, clients should keep in mind that it is increasingly common for repairs of products and appliances to be limited to agents specifically authorized by the manufacturer.
As a result, a handyman performing work on a particular product could limit the product’s resale value or impact the applicability of a warranty. This section is where a handyman can clarify that they are not holding themselves out as certified and are not responsible for these kinds of economic losses.
Common Handyman Rates
There is enormous variation in handyman rates. Factors include where the work is being performed, the job involved, and the handyman’s experience. What follows is a distillation of common charges.
- Self-employed: $50-$80/hr.[1]
- Kitchen Sink Installation: $300-$500.[2]
- Hanging a Heavy Piece of Art: $60-$125.[3]
- Bathroom fan installation: $150-$550.[4]