What a handyman estimate is for
Handyman work comes as a list, and customers want to know what each item costs so they can decide which to do. An estimate that prices each task on its own line, with a minimum visit and materials, lets them cut the list to their budget on the spot. It also flags anything your license does not cover before you show up.
What to put on a handyman estimate
- Each task on its own line, priced flat or by time.
- The minimum visit charge.
- Materials, and who supplies them.
- Tasks that need a licensed trade, if any.
- Customer-supplied items and what your warranty covers.
- When payment is due.
A worked example
A homeowner's list: patch two drywall holes, hang a TV, rehang a sticking door, recaulk a tub, install two grab bars and assemble a bookcase.
| Line | Qty | Unit | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drywall patch, small | 2 | each | Your price |
| Mount TV on wall, customer mount | 1 | each | Your price |
| Adjust or rehang sticking door | 1 | each | Your price |
| Caulk tub | 1 | each | Your price |
| Install grab bars | 2 | each | Your price |
| Assemble bookcase | 1 | each | Your price |
| Materials and supplies | 1 | each | Your price |
Each task stands alone, so the customer can strike any line. Flat prices per task sell better than an hourly total, because the customer knows the cost of each item before you start.
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 your business details once; this browser keeps them for every template.
- Fill in the customer and the job.
- Change the line items to fit this job and add your prices.
- Set tax, the deposit and the good-until date.
- Print to PDF, download Word or CSV, or send it from Koira.
Free tools for handyman
The same estimate 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.