What a handyman change order is for
Handyman jobs are small until they are not: you pull the old caulk and find soft drywall, you rehang a door and the frame is split. Stopping to write the change and get a yes keeps the customer on your side. It also stops you working an extra two hours for free.
What to put on a handyman change order
- The original price.
- What was found or added.
- Added lines and credits.
- The new total.
- Customer approval before continuing.
A worked example
Removing the old tub caulk shows soft drywall behind the tile edge. The customer also adds a smoke detector swap and skips the bookcase.
| Line | Qty | Unit | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cut out and replace soft drywall at tub edge | 1 | each | Your price |
| Replace smoke detectors | 3 | each | Your price |
| Credit: bookcase assembly not done | -1 | each | Your price |
The soft drywall line has a note that it was found behind the caulk. Customers sign quickly when the reason is right there.
Line items handymen use
| Line item | Unit | How to write it |
|---|---|---|
| Handyman labor | hour | Your hourly rate, with a minimum visit. |
| Minimum service visit | each | Covers the trip and the first block of time. |
| Drywall patch, small | each | Holes up to a size you set; paint match extra. |
| Mount TV on wall | each | Customer supplies the mount, or you do. |
| Hang pictures, shelves or mirrors | each | Per item. |
| Replace interior door | each | Pre-hung or slab; paint extra. |
| Adjust or rehang door | each | Sticking, sagging or not latching. |
| Assemble furniture | each | Per piece; large pieces more. |
| Caulk tub or shower | each | Remove old caulk and recaulk. |
| Replace light fixture, like for like | each | Where your license allows; customer supplied. |
| Install grab bars | each | Into blocking or with proper anchors. |
| Gutter cleaning, single story | ft | A common add-on. |
| Materials and supplies | each | At cost plus your markup, with receipts on request. |
| Haul away debris | load | Small loads from the job. |
Terms and deposit language for handyman
- Deposit. No deposit on small jobs. Larger projects with materials to buy may take one to cover them.
- Payment. Due on completion. Materials at cost plus markup, or as quoted.
- Warranty. State how long you stand behind your work and that customer-supplied items are covered for installation only.
- Work that requires a licensed trade in your state, such as larger electrical or plumbing jobs, is referred out or done by a licensed partner.
- A minimum visit charge applies to every trip.
- If a quick fix turns into a bigger repair once opened, you stop and price it first.
How to fill it in
- Put in the original estimate number and amount.
- Write what changed in the reason box, plainly.
- Add the new work; type a minus quantity for any credit.
- Fill in the days added.
- Print it for a signature on site, or send it from Koira to sign by phone.
Free tools for handyman
The same change order for other trades: appliance repair, auto detailing, carpet cleaning, chimney, house cleaning, commercial cleaning, concrete, drywall, electrical, fence, flooring, garage door, general contractor, gutter, hvac, irrigation, junk removal, landscaping, lawn care, locksmith, moving, painting, pest control, plumbing, pool service, pressure washing, remodeling, roofing, septic, snow removal, solar, tree service, waterproofing, window cleaning.
More for handymen: how handymen run on Koira.