How to start a handyman business

Season: Year-round · Typical startup: $200 to $750

Every home has a to-do list: a shelf to hang, a door that sticks, a faucet that drips, a gate that sags. A handyman who shows up on time and finishes the list earns repeat customers for years. You can start with the tools you have, plus a good drill. Here is the gear, what to charge, and the jobs to stay away from.

$200 to $750To get started

$60Typical hang shelves or pictures

Year-roundSeason

The gear and what it costs

Basic tool kitHammer, screwdrivers, level, tape, utility knife, pliers. Use what you have first.

$0–300

Drill/driver setThe one tool you will use on almost every job.

$150–300

Step ladderA 6-foot step ladder covers most indoor work.

$60–150

What established pros charge

Hourly rate · HomeAdvisor	$60–$125
Typical project · HomeAdvisor	$177–$691

National figures from published cost guides, checked November 8, 2026. Local prices vary.

Starting rates for a new business

Hourly rate	$45
Hang shelves or pictures	$60
Fix a sticking door	$75
Two-hour to-do list	$100

Our suggested starting point for a new business. Charge by the hour with a one-hour minimum, or a flat price for common small jobs. Compare with the pro figures above, and raise your rates once you have reviews and a full week.

How to find your first customers

Tell neighbors and family friends you do small jobs. Older homeowners and busy parents have the longest lists.
Landlords and property managers need small repairs between tenants. Offer a fast turnaround.
Post in town groups: "Have a to-do list? I do the small jobs nobody else wants."
Finish every job by asking, "Anything else on the list while I am here?"

Rules to check before you start

Leave electrical, plumbing and gas work to licensed trades.
Many states require a contractor license for jobs above a dollar limit. Look up your state's limit before quoting bigger jobs.
Some cities and counties require a business license, even for a small service business. Check your city or county website before you take payment.
Once you make $400 or more in profit in a year, you owe self-employment tax and need to file a return (IRS). Keep every receipt for gas and gear.
Card payouts need a Stripe account. Stripe requires the account holder to be 18 or older for this kind of account, so a parent or guardian sets it up if you are under 18 (Stripe). Cash works from day one. Venmo, Zelle and Cash App need your own account, and under-18s need a parent to set one up.

Stay busy all year

Add furniture assembly and painting. They come from the same customers and the same drill.

Build your handyman plan free

Answer a few questions and get your gear list, prices, local demand and a booking page. You only pay $5 to unlock it.

Build my plan →

Questions

How much do handymen charge per hour?

HomeAdvisor's guide puts handyman rates at $60 to $125 an hour plus materials. Fixr's January 2025 update says most charge around $65 an hour.

What jobs need a license?

Electrical, plumbing and gas work need a licensed trade almost everywhere. Many states also require a contractor license once a job passes a dollar limit. Stay with small repairs and assembly.

Should I charge by the hour or by the job?

Flat prices for common jobs (hang a TV, fix a door) build trust. Use an hourly rate for open-ended lists.

Can a teenager start a handyman business?

Yes, for small jobs: hanging shelves, assembly, patching small holes, tightening hinges. Wear eye protection when drilling, and skip anything on a roof or near wiring. On Launchpad, 13 to 17 year olds sign up with a parent or guardian's agreement.

Sources

Checked November 8, 2026.