Why We Don’t Publish a Price List
Search for handyman rates in BC and you’ll find a lot of numbers. Most are averages from directories, and they rarely match what you end up paying, because no two to-do lists are the same. Patching one nail hole and patching a wall full of anchor holes after a move are both “drywall repair”. So are a cracked ceiling and a hole the size of a fist.
Instead of a price list, we give you a free estimate once we know what’s on your list. This guide explains how that estimate is put together, so you know what to expect and how to keep it down.
The Two Common Ways Handymen Price Work
By the hour
Many handymen charge for time on site, sometimes in set blocks like a half day or full day. Hourly pricing suits lists with lots of small, varied jobs, where it’s hard to say exactly how long each one will take. The benefit is flexibility: if a job turns out quicker than expected, there’s time for the next one.
By the job
For well-defined work, like assembling a specific wardrobe or mounting one TV on a known wall, a handyman may quote a fixed price for the job. You know the number before the work starts. The trade-off is that a fixed quote has to allow for surprises, like a wall that turns out to be concrete.
A mix of both
Many visits end up as a combination: a set price for the bigger, predictable jobs and time for the smaller odds and ends. Either way, ask for the estimate in writing so you both agree on what’s included.
Why There’s Usually a Minimum Visit
Almost every handyman has some kind of minimum charge or minimum booking. That isn’t a trick. Every visit has fixed costs before a single screw goes in: travel, parking, loading tools, and in a Burnaby tower, signing in and waiting for the elevator. A five-minute job still takes most of an hour once you count all that.
That’s exactly why the best value is a longer list. The fixed costs are the same whether we fix one thing or ten.
What Changes How Long Your List Takes
- The number of jobs. More jobs in one visit means less time per job, because setup and clean-up happen once.
- Drying time. Drywall compound and paint need time between coats. On a short visit that’s waiting; on a longer list we work on something else.
- The wall. Wood studs are quick. Steel studs, concrete and old plaster take more time and different hardware.
- Access. Elevator bookings, long carries, stairs, tight hallways and parking all add time, especially in towers.
- Materials. Whether we bring them, you supply them, or we pick them up on the way.
- Older-home surprises. Out-of-square frames, hidden damage behind a patch, or a rotten post that turns out to be two.
- Height and reach. Ceilings, stairwells and high shelves need ladders and more care.
- Finish level. A quick fill before you move out takes less time than a repair that has to be invisible in raking light.
Materials: Who Buys What
We bring our tools and the common supplies most jobs need: fasteners, anchors, compound, tape, caulk, primer and sandpaper. Items that are a matter of taste are usually yours to choose: paint colours, door handles, shelving, light-coloured or dark trim, the TV bracket.
You can buy those yourself before the visit, or tell us what you want and we’ll pick them up. Either way, mention it when you send your list so nothing holds up the day.
Condo and Strata Factors in Burnaby
Much of Burnaby lives in strata buildings, and that changes how a visit runs. Buildings often ask for elevator bookings, set quiet hours for noisy work like drilling concrete, and expect hallways and elevators to be protected. Some require notice before work starts.
None of that is a problem, but it takes a little time, so it’s worth planning. Check your building’s bylaws or ask your property manager what’s needed, and tell us when you book.
How to Get More Done Per Visit
- Write everything down, even the tiny jobs. A list of ten small things is the best value there is.
- Take photos of anything hard to describe: the hole, the sticking door, the soft deck board.
- Have materials ready, or tell us exactly what to pick up.
- Clear the work areas: move small items off shelves and away from walls.
- Book the elevator and check building rules before the visit.
- Group jobs by room so we work through the house in order.
- Ask what can happen while compound or paint dries, and add those jobs.
How to Compare Handyman Estimates
If you’re getting more than one estimate, compare what’s included, not just the total:
- Is it hourly, fixed, or a mix? And what happens if the work runs over?
- Are materials included? Which ones?
- Is clean-up included? Including taking away cardboard and offcuts?
- Is the repair painted? A drywall patch left unpainted isn’t finished.
- Is anything excluded? Good handymen will tell you plainly when a job needs a licensed trade.
What a Handyman Estimate Won’t Cover
We don’t do electrical, gas or plumbing work. Those trades need a licensed specialist, and we’re happy to tell you when a job on your list needs one.
We also don’t take on full renovations. Our work is repairs, installations and small carpentry, done well and done together in one visit.