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A handyman handles the small jobs that pile up around a house: the door that sticks, the shelves still in their box, the hole in the plaster from an old picture hook. One person can often clear the whole list in a single visit, instead of you booking a carpenter, a painter and a plasterer one by one.
What common handyman jobs cost
These are the prices handymen quoted for common jobs through Service.com.au in the 12 months to October 2026:
| Job | Typical quote | Most quotes fell between |
|---|---|---|
| Door repair, adjustment or replacement | $350 | $250 to $450 |
| Plaster patching or a small painting job | $400 | $350 to $650 |
| Hanging and mounting (pictures, mirrors, shelves, rails, blinds, clotheslines) | $300 | $200 to $400 |
| Flat-pack or furniture assembly | $250 | $200 to $350 |
Handymen quoting TV wall mounting through Service.com.au in the 12 months to October 2026 priced it at a typical $300, with most quotes between $200 and $600.
A quote given without a site visit can change once the handyman sees the job. Very small jobs, like hanging one picture, often come down to the handyman's minimum charge.
How much does a handyman charge per hour?
The hourly rate depends on the handyman's experience, the tools the job needs and how far they have to travel. Handymen price work one of two ways:
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By the hour for short jobs of two or three hours, where the time is hard to predict until they start.
By the job for work that runs over several days or weeks, where you agree on a fixed price up front.
Many handymen also set a minimum charge, so a ten-minute fix can cost the same as a much longer job. It pays to save up a few small jobs for one visit.
Tip: Before a job that runs over several days, get the fixed price in writing, with what's included and what isn't.
Call-out fees
Many handymen add a call-out fee to cover the drive to your place, fuel and the time spent looking at the job. It's usually worth about an hour to an hour and a half of their labour.
Ask whether the call-out fee is charged on top of the work or included in the price before you book.
What pushes the price up
Materials. A quote that includes the door, the brackets or the paint costs more than one for labour alone. Check which you're getting.
Access and height. High ceilings, second-storey work and tight spaces take longer and may need extra equipment.
Wall type. Mounting a TV or shelves on brick or concrete can take longer than on plasterboard.
Travel. A handyman who has to drive further may charge a higher call-out fee or minimum.
Urgency. Same-day, weekend and after-hours jobs can cost more.
Rubbish. Taking away the old door, packaging or offcuts may be extra.
What jobs can a handyman do?
Handymen take on small repairs and maintenance that don't need a trade licence, such as:
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Small carpentry jobs and door repairs
Small painting and plaster patching
Flat-pack and furniture assembly
Hanging pictures, mirrors, shelves and curtains
Mounting TVs
Tile repairs
Pressure cleaning and gardening
Rubbish removal
What jobs can't a handyman do?
Electrical, plumbing and gasfitting work needs a tradie licensed for that trade, whatever the job is worth.
Bigger building jobs need a licence or registration once they pass a value your state sets. In New South Wales, it's residential building work worth more than $5,000. In Queensland, it's building work worth more than $3,300. In Victoria, it's domestic building work costing more than $10,000, counting labour and materials. Other states and territories set their own limits, so check with your state's building regulator before you book a larger job.
How to hire a handyman
Write the list. Put every job in one request, with sizes, wall types and photos. A clear list helps a handyman give a firmer price.
Compare a few quotes. Check whether each one includes materials, rubbish removal and the call-out fee.
Ask about licences for anything electrical, plumbing or gas, or for building work over your state's limit.
Agree the price in writing before work starts, especially for a fixed-price job.
On Service.com.au you can post your job for free and hear from verified local handymen.
More cost guides
Costs are in Australian dollars and were checked at the time of writing. Prices vary by location and change with the market.