Guide
How to get a fair price for small jobs
Short answer
Most handymen charge by the hour, with a minimum charge or a higher first hour. Some give a day rate or a fixed price for common jobs. One Tetbury firm publishes £50 an hour on weekdays. A Carterton firm has a £70 minimum charge. Put small jobs on one list, and get the price in writing.
The four ways handymen charge
Handymen use one or more of these pricing methods. Ask which one applies before the visit.
- Hourly rate: you pay for the time on the job, often in half-hours after the first hour.
- Minimum charge or first-hour rate: covers travel and a short job.
- Day or half-day rate: often cheaper per hour for a long list of jobs.
- Fixed price: one price for a set job, such as building a wardrobe.
What local firms publish
Few local handymen publish prices. These are examples from firms’ own websites, checked on 15 October 2026. They are not quotes for your job.
Tetbury Handyman publishes £50 an hour on weekdays from 9am to 6pm, and £80 an hour at other times, with no call-out fee. Oxfordshire Handyman in Carterton publishes a £70 minimum charge. Our hourly rates guide has a full table.
How to keep the cost down
A little planning saves paid time. These steps help.
- Put several jobs on one list for one visit.
- Send photos and sizes before the visit.
- Buy the parts yourself if the handyman agrees, or ask for a parts list.
- Clear the work area before the handyman arrives.
- Ask for a day rate if the list will take more than half a day.
Compare like with like
Two prices can look different but cover different things. Ask each firm the same questions.
- Does the price include VAT?
- Are parts, travel and waste removal included?
- Is there a weekend or evening rate?
- How is time charged after the first hour?
Your rights on price
If you agree no price, the law says you must pay a reasonable price, and no more. This is in the Consumer Rights Act 2015, section 51. A written price, even by text or email, avoids this question.
Questions
Why do handymen have a minimum charge?
Travel and set-up take time on every job, even a five-minute one. A minimum charge covers this. Put several jobs on one visit to get more for it.
Is a day rate cheaper than an hourly rate?
Often, per hour, yes. But you pay for the whole day. A day rate suits a long list of jobs. For one small job, an hourly rate is usually cheaper.
Do handymen charge VAT?
Only if the business is VAT registered. Many small firms are not. Ask if the price includes VAT, and check the invoice.