How much does a handyman cost?
Updated 19 Oct 2026
Typical cost per hour
£25 – £50
A handyman in the UK typically charges £25–£50 an hour, with most applying a one-hour minimum. Half-day and day rates offer better value once you have more than two or three jobs, and batching work into a single visit is by far the most effective way to keep the cost down. A handyman covers general repairs and fitting — but not gas work, and only limited electrical work.
| Job | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Hourly rate | £25 – £50 |
| Minimum charge | 1 hour |
| Half day | £80 – £160 |
| Full day | £160 – £320 |
| Flat pack assembly, per item | £30 – £60 |
| TV wall mounting | £60 – £120 |
| Hang a door | £60 – £120 |
Typical UK guide prices — see the note at the foot of this page.
Batch the jobs — it is the whole trick
Travel, parking and setting up happen once per visit, not once per job. That single fact drives almost all the value in hiring a handyman.
A handyman coming out to fix one dripping tap charges close to an hour minimum for twenty minutes of work. The same handyman fixing the tap, rehanging a door, putting up three shelves, fitting a curtain pole and replacing a toilet seat spends a productive half day and costs far less per job.
Keep a running list. Most households accumulate a dozen small jobs over a few months, and doing them together is dramatically cheaper than one at a time.
When you book, send the list in advance. It lets them bring the right tools and materials and give you a realistic idea of how long it will take.
What a handyman can and cannot do
General repairs, fitting, assembly, small carpentry, filling and touching up, tap washers, doors, shelves, curtain poles, TV mounting — this is core handyman territory and there is no reason to pay a specialist trade rate for it.
Gas work is off limits unless they are Gas Safe registered, which most handymen are not. That includes anything on a boiler, gas hob or gas fire. This is a legal requirement, not a preference.
Electrical work is more nuanced. Simple like-for-like replacements are generally fine; new circuits, consumer units and notifiable work under Part P are not, unless they hold the relevant registration.
Structural work, anything requiring building control, and anything at significant height needing proper access equipment are also outside the normal scope.
A good handyman will tell you when a job needs someone else. That honesty is worth more than the hour they turned down.
Materials, tools and insurance
Most handymen bring tools and consumables — screws, fixings, filler — but expect you to supply the actual parts. If you want them to buy materials, expect the cost plus a small markup for the time spent sourcing.
Buying your own can save money but only if you buy the right thing. A wasted trip because the fixing does not suit your wall type costs more than the markup would have.
Ask about public liability insurance. Most established handymen carry it, and it is a fair question for someone drilling into your walls.
Agree how you are being charged before they start — hourly with a minimum, or fixed price for the list. Either is fine; not knowing is what causes disagreements at the end.
How to keep the cost down
Build a list rather than calling for single jobs. This matters more than the hourly rate you negotiate.
Buy the parts in advance, having checked they suit your walls, doors or fittings.
Clear access to everything on the list before they arrive.
Book a half or full day if the list is long — the effective hourly rate drops noticeably.
Be realistic about time. Five jobs described as "quick" rarely fit in an hour, and a rushed job costs more to put right.
And get a couple of prices. Handyman rates vary widely for identical work, and posting your list locally costs nothing.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a handyman cost per hour?+
£25–£50 an hour in the UK, with higher rates in London and the South East. Most apply a one-hour minimum charge.
Is it cheaper to book a half day?+
Yes, if you have several jobs. Half days run £80–£160 and full days £160–£320, which works out well below the hourly rate once you are past two or three tasks.
Can a handyman do electrical work?+
Simple like-for-like replacements generally yes. New circuits, consumer units and other notifiable work under Part P require the relevant registration, which most handymen do not hold.
Can a handyman work on my boiler?+
Not unless they are Gas Safe registered. Any work on gas appliances legally requires it, and most handymen are not registered — ask to see the card if they say they are.
Do handymen supply materials?+
They usually bring tools and basic fixings but expect you to supply parts. If they buy materials, expect cost plus a markup for sourcing time.
What is the minimum a handyman will charge?+
Usually one hour, even for a ten-minute job. This is why batching several small jobs into one visit is much better value than calling them out individually.
Related price guides
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