Unlike licensed contractors who are always being accused of inflating bids and overcharging (usually by homeowners who have no idea what this type of expertise is really worth), a good handyman will usually charge lower fees and, for many homeowners, this is not only a viable option but in many instances, the preferred one.

The project at hand will of course determine the exact type of pricing structure you will be looking at.  Most Master handymen will usually be called in for multiple projects because it’s human nature to wait for “little things” to add up until it’s almost an emergency to get things done.

A typical work agreement might be similar to this:  fix a screen door, paint the half bath off the kitchen, hang new doors for a closet.  Nothing that needs a license or a building permit – just enough experience to not cause further problems.

When jobs / tasks are similar in nature, he may give you a quote by the hour.  In the situation described above, these tasks would be considered similar and usually could be handled quite well by a master handyman who, of course, likes to paint (not all handymen do!).   In a situation like this he may be able to quote you by the hour or by the entire job.

For homeowners, paying by the hour is usually not their first choice.  Anyone who has ever employed any sort of hourly domestic help such as a housekeeper will usually lament that the tasks at hand were stretched out beyond belief in order to be able to charge more, even though the job wasn’t performed any better.

It could be the same with any worker you have around the house:  hourly payments are looked at as an open ATM machine.  There is really no need to pay by the hour – ask for a per job estimate.  How much to paint the bathroom?  How much to hang the new door?  This way assures you that no time will be wasted just to increase the bill.

Occasionally you may be asked for a deposit.  Unless you expect the person to buy supplies out of his own pocket, there’s no reason to provide a down payment or deposit, certainly not in cash.  No matter how great someone’s references, there is always the possibility of having him not show up, at least when promised, if he already has some cash.

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