Completing any type of home improvement project by yourself is not easy. Even if you have basic knowledge of some tasks, you may need specific tools and supplies to complete your project. Instead of buying expensive equipment for a project you don’t feel confident completing yourself, we recommend you hire a handyman. A handyman can help you complete various odd jobs at your home for a cheaper price as compared to a contractor.
Handymen in Edmonton charges for home projects based on the type and complexity of the job. In this cost guide, we have compiled 6 homeowner reviews from Edmonton to provide you with the average, lowest and highest reported costs for handyman services. Read on to learn more about the factors impacting the cost to hire a handyman and tips for hiring.
Costs to Hire a Handyman in Edmonton
| Average Cost* | Lowest Reported* | Highest Reported* |
|---|---|---|
| $315 | $165 | $600 |
Costs as of October 2020*
Common Handyman Jobs in Edmonton
| Furniture assembly | Carpentry | Electrical work |
| Countertop installation | Home maintenance | Painting |
| Plumbing | Repairs | Safety & mobility upgrades |
Factors Impacting Handyman Services Cost in Edmonton
Size of the Job
Handymen divide jobs into three major categories: small, medium and large. These categories are created based on the complexity of the job and the time it takes to finish. They also help handymen quote your project based on its size.
- A job that usually takes 1-2 hours to complete is considered a small handyman job. You can create a list of different small tasks that can be completed in this period and the handyman may charge you with an hourly rate.
- A medium-sized job takes about 2-4 hours to complete and requires specialized skills and tools. A handyman with moderate experience can help you with these types of jobs.
- A large handyman job requires more time, experience and knowledge in the field. A big project or multiple medium and small projects equal a large handyman job. An experienced handyman may take 6-8 hours or even up to 2 days to complete a large job.
We recommend that before hiring a handyman, discuss all the project details with them, so they can provide you with an exact quote.
Examples of Handyman Job Sizes:
| Small Handyman Jobs | Hanging a picture, planting shrubs, repairing loose window and doors |
| Medium Handyman Jobs | Installing window and door frames, installing kitchen cabinets, furniture assembly |
| Large Handyman Jobs | Painting a room, building a small deck, repairing drywall |
Experience
- An experienced handyman requires less time to complete a job compared to an inexperienced handyman. An experienced handyman will be able to catch any problems and won’t leave any loopholes in the job. Due to their years of experience, they will charge more.
Flat Rate Vs Hourly
- For any type of job, a handyman charges by either a flat rate or by an hourly rate. Before starting the work, you can discuss how you will be charged with your handyman and decide as per your preference.
- If you have multiple small or medium jobs then an hourly rate may be better for you. In an hourly rate structure, the handyman won’t charge you extra for any additional tasks you might add to your list. You will just have to pay for the time it takes to complete the task and any additional materials needed.
- If you’re planning to hire a handyman for a large job or 1 or 2 medium jobs, we suggest you ask for a flat rate or cost per job. It’s easy to pay for the specific job irrespective of how many hours it may take the expert to complete it. But if you add any new tasks to the list, the handyman will charge you separately for these additional tasks.
- To avoid paying extra in any case, we recommend you ask your handyman for an estimate for each charging method. You can compare these costs and decide whether you want to pay a flat rate or an hourly rate for the handyman’s services.
Material Costs
- Handymen in Edmonton are equipped with basic tools and supplies which are necessary for any home improvement project. You don’t have to worry about providing them with screws and hinges, drills, a saw or even a ladder. Based on the type and complexity of your job, a handyman will bring all the necessary equipment and tools with them to your house.
- Based on the type of tasks, you might require some additional material. It can be a big picture frame, new windows, a porch sign or doors for your kitchen cabinet. You can buy this material yourself or ask your handyman to buy it on your behalf. The handyman can also guide you through which product, colour and size of material you should buy, based on the project.
- All the costs for these extra materials will be added to your final bill as material or overhead costs. When hiring a handyman, ask them for an estimate of the material cost before they start the job.
Tips to Help Keep Handyman Costs Down in Edmonton
- Create a to-do list of all the home improvement tasks around your home. You can divide them into small, medium or large tasks for your convenience. Share this list with the handyman so they can provide you with a quote.
- Discuss all the details of the job with your handyman before hiring them. These details include the to-do list, additional materials needed, your estimated budget and time frame. Based on all this information, you can ask the handyman for a flat rate or an hourly rate estimate.
- Try to combine multiple small jobs that can be done in one day instead of hiring multiple contractors.
- Compare costs with at least 3 handyman services to make the right hiring decision.
- Clear out some space in your house where the handyman will primarily be working. This will provide them with more mobility to move and get the work done faster.
Handyman Vs Contractor
In Edmonton, you can hire a handyman or a hire a contractor based on the type and complexity of the job. A handyman is best suited for various small odd jobs at your home. A handyman usually works independently or with an alliance with a home improvement company. A licensed contractor should be hired if you want to do any big renovation projects like rewiring your house. A licensed contractor employs professional service and has various licenses and certifications to work on complex projects. They are also able to apply and obtain permits on your behalf.
The following chart will help you determine whether to hire a handyman or a contractor for your home improvement project:
| Handyman Jobs | Contractor Jobs |
|---|---|
| Building a fence | Electrical projects |
| Building a deck | Major renovations |
| Replacing doors and windows | HVAC maintenance |
| Small paint jobs, carpentry and plumbing | Repairing a leaky roof |
| Yardwork | Replacing old light fixtures |
There are two ways to hire a local handyman on HomeStars. Simply submit a quote request and get matched with 3 local handymen in your area. You can chat with each company and browse through their reviews to learn more about them. If you would prefer to do your own research, you can browse through a list of handymen in Edmonton and make your own choice. Remember to check their Star Score, verification badge and other homeowner reviews to make an informed hiring decision.