How much does a handyman cost? [October 2025]

How much does a handyman cost?

A handyman can tackle odd jobs or small repairs around your home. Many can also do minor electrical work, such as changing a light fitting or installing a new socket cover.

Handymen typically charge an hourly rate ranging anywhere from £40 - £90 (inc VAT). The total cost of hiring a handyman will vary depending on several factors, but the type of job will usually be the biggest. For example, assembling furniture will typically take longer than hanging some picture frames or wall mounting a TV.

You may find some handymen prefer to charge a flat fee per task, especially for more straightforward jobs like hanging a shelf, while others may offer a day rate for larger projects e.g. redecorating.

How does pricing for handyman jobs work?
 

There are a few different ways that handymen charge for their work. Most handymen will charge an hourly rate between £40 - £90 (inc VAT). However, some prefer to charge a fixed price per job, or a combination of both, depending on the task. For larger or more time-consuming projects, your handyman may charge a day rate instead.

Hiring a handyman by the hour is usually the most cost-efficient pricing setup up as you can get all your odd jobs done in one go.

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How does the cost of materials work for handyman jobs?
 

If your handyman needs materials to complete the job, you can either buy them yourself or ask your handyman to source them and add the cost to your final bill.

Keep in mind, if your handyman sources materials, you’ll likely be charged an additional 20 - 25% on top of the actual material cost to cover their time and travel. However, they may have access to trade discounts that offset some of this. It’s also worth remembering that your handyman will know exactly what spare parts and materials are needed, so it’s often best to let them source these for you.

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What other factors affect the cost of hiring a handyman?

As well as the type of task, there are a few more factors to consider when weighing up the cost of hiring a handyman - such as when you book, who you book with and how many jobs need doing.

1. When you book

Booking a handyman the same day or for the next day will often be more expensive than booking with good notice. You'll also typically find that handymen will charge a higher rate for jobs booked early in the morning, late in the evening, weekends and, of course, bank holidays. 
 

2. How many tasks you book

If your handyman charges by the hour, it's often more cost-efficient to get all your odd jobs done in one go rather than in separate visits. 

At Housekeep, we've made it even easier to get all your odd jobs sorted. Add all of the tasks you need, and we'll estimate how long the job will take - and just pay a simple hourly rate. You can find out more about our handyman services here.
 

3. Who you book with
 

It will probably come as no surprise that sole traders will typically be cheaper than booking with a more established tradesperson company. And if your hanyman works below the VAT threshold, you may even end up saving paying 20% VAT on top of your services. 

However, despite the higher rates, booking with a larger tradesperson company comes with plenty of additional benefits. You’ll usually have access to a wider selection of appointment slots, including emergency and same-day bookings, and you can often get instant quotes through an online booking form.

4. Accessibility 

If your handyman has to work in hard-to-reach places - like high walls, lofts, or tight corners — the job will likely take longer and cost more overall.

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How much does an emergency handyman cost?

If you need a handyman for an emergency repair, you'll typically pay a higher call-out fee to compensate for the late notice. Emergency handyman call-outs typically range from £50 - £100 (inc VAT), depending on the time and day, in addition to their usual hourly rate.

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Why hire a handyman?
 

If you’re handy around the house, there are plenty of small jobs you can probably do yourself. However, an experienced handyman will have the right tools, hands-on experience, and insurance to complete the job safely and efficiently - saving you time and avoiding costly mistakes. And no one wants a wonky shelf or unstable table!

And by hiring a handyman by the hour, you can get all your odd jobs in one go too - so you can spend more time enjoying your home rather than juggling the small repairs yourself.

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Where can I get a quote for a handyman near me?

There are plenty of ways to find a tried and trusted handyman - from asking family and friends to checking out local directories. You can often find recommendations from neighbourhood social media groups too (with photos of recent work).

If you’d like to take the hassle out of finding a reliable handyman, it’s worth booking through a professional tradesperson service, like Housekeep. Simply let us know what jobs need doing, and we’ll provide an estimate of how long it will take your handyman to complete the work. You then pay a straightforward hourly rate. We also have handymen available on the same day for emergency repairs.

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Written by Georgina Shepherd & Henry Paterson

Georgina is one Housekeep's home services experts. She's interviewed thousands of the UK's best cleaners and tradespeople - so whether you need advice on a stubborn stain, or you're looking for tips to find the perfect plumber, Georgina's got you covered.

With years of experience in the industry, Henry has delivered talks at industry events including the Ideal Home Show and regularly features as an industry expert for publications including the Sun, Mail Online, Martha Stewart and many more.