What Is a Handyman?

A Handyman (or handywoman/handyperson) is a person that is competent in, and hired to perform a wide variety of trade skills, and can perform repairs and maintenance jobs around the home.  A good handyman should be able to perform tasks as easy as changing a light bulb and as difficult as a full bathroom remodel.  Most handyman services are set up to perform small to medium sized projects.  Some try to stick to the small jobs like changing a door knob or replacing a damaged piece of baseboard trim. Some only do the larger, higher paying jobs like a full kitchen remodel or building a deck.

The term ‘handyman’ used to refer to the retired gentleman down the street that enjoyed tinkering and could be talked into doing a few minor repairs for a plate of warm cookies.  Today, in many places, a handyman is required to be licensed, bonded, and insured.  These requirements are good because they help protect the customer when there is an accident caused by the handyman, and they help protect the handyman when the customer does not keep their end of the contract.

There is a downside to these requirements though, and that is the cost.  Most handyman services in my area charge around $50.00 per hour for their services and many have a minimum charge for small jobs.  This may seem like a high price but a handyman does not get to keep all of that like an employee does.  A handyman service has to pay all the overhead costs of owning a business, for a wide range of tools necessary to perform a wide range of jobs, for their own vehicle and fuel, and for all the time spent looking at jobs that they may not get.  In general, a handyman does earn what they get paid.  And though I have never required it for payment, I have to say that I have never turned down a plate of warm cookies.