How To Charge For Handyman Jobs (Detailed Explanation) | Handyman Business

Pricing jobs is one of the most difficult parts of the handyman business. I'll tell you how to come up with base prices that will work everytime.
5 Reasons Why Charging By The Hour Is Trash - • 5 Reasons Why Charging...
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[@MostBasedKing]

Morpheus explaining handyman pricing 🔥

[@DarylTheFINISHER]

It's the Handyman red pill haha

[@briangatewood802]

Omg lmao…word up!!!

[@enigmaticnomadics]

Great job! Try dropping the background music at least -20db lower than voice audio. I usually go -25db. Old guys like me have a tough time hearing your voice. Keep the good stuff coming!👊🏼

[@DarylTheFINISHER]

I appreciate you watching! On the last few videos I have dropped down the volume of the music more, thanks for the feedback.

[@9ernorm84]

I can hear him just fine

[@carlosibanez2763]

I've been doing drywall since I was a kid I was raised on it, and the last few years I've taken on a few side jobs, a d noticed I can make more doing patches and be done so much quicker, I've just been afraid to venture out, I love your videos, they are ready helping me understand how to deal with some of the insecurities and for that I thank you boss!

[@carlosibanez2763]

And also have you made a video on how you started? That would be a neat thing to help people like me trying to get comfortable with the idea of working for ourselves

[@DarylTheFINISHER]

I appreciate you watching and I'm glad you're getting something out of the videos. I completely agree about getting more for repairing drywall then doing complete installs. That seems to be the case for me too so all I do is repairs. I will be doing the video soon about how I got started and getting traction over the first few years. Trust me, I was insecure early on but circumstances gave me no choice. It might take a little time but you'll get over those.

[@ow5966]

Facts you it is the insecurities right? They do keep you from moving on from your full-time job and trying something new

[@Slingblade69ss]

Weekends and holidays are where the best money is at just another day for most of us Gen X builders

[@DavidE-dm5un]

This is one of the best handyman channels on KZbin. Diamond in the rough. Keep up the good content and the followers will come!

[@DarylTheFINISHER]

Man, I appreciate your compliments as well as you taking the time to watch. I don't worry about subscribers. Maybe I would if I was more consistent but I'd rather build a strong community. Sometimes those subscriber numbers are hollow, a lot of subscribers and hardly anybody watching.

[@salharo8925]

Thank You, very informative every time I watch. Keep up the great content!

[@gonuts1]

I just love your attitude. Very clear that you love what you do. Thank you. Straight up Truth. Great Video.

[@DarylTheFINISHER]

I love it all, the grind, the art, and the the ability to carve my own path in my business or financially. I appreciate you taking the time to watch and leave a comment!

[@michaelpidgeon49]

Thanks for the video! I'm just about to venture into my own handyman business and this was every question I was thinking about! Keep them coming!

[@DarylTheFINISHER]

I'm glad you found something useful in the video. I'm rooting for you, wishing you much success!

[@neighborbob2141]

Love your channel Daryl. Keep the videos coming.

[@DarylTheFINISHER]

Much appreciated. Thanks for taking the time to watch!

[@jeremypalmer4125]

I just started part time and a lot of the things I've learned are from this channel keep it up!

[@DarylTheFINISHER]

Much appreciated bro, glad the videos helped in some way!

[@craigschaffer828]

Lots of great info Daryl!

[@VinMotors0613]

I never looked at this way. makes a whole lot of sense. Thanks for the insight.

[@alphacampbell21]

Love the straight up math. 6 hours is the sweet spot target. You know what you gotta do, everything over that is gravy. I love gravy, so I'll do a weekend or three in a year to just give me and the family a bonus. Thanks for the class, subscribed.

[@DarylTheFINISHER]

I do the same thing with weekends. In the beginning I worked every weekend but now it's pretty rare. I appreciate you watching.

[@ctimehaynes]

Eye opener for me I try to be fair with my prices to be nice and not lose the gig cause I don't have the consistency yet but I'm not even close to making enough to run my business

[@DarylTheFINISHER]

You have to play with the numbers for your business to see how it works. Some people can charge less than still make a decent profit.

[@donellparker6896]

Same boat

[@johnmcclendon6375]

If handymen don’t know what their prices should be.. how does a homeowner know if your prices are too high?

[@slicktmi]

​@johnmcclendon6375 the problem with this is if you're highly skilled it takes less "time" to do a job so in the customers head oh it only took him an hour why did i get charged 200$ most don't understand they're paying for skill not the time spent on the job.

[@AJM-eo2yg]

Man! Thank you! GREAT content!!!!

[@codybogue7658]

My man! This is just what I’ve been looking for!

[@DarylTheFINISHER]

Glad you got something out of it!

[@hurricane1031]

Great video. Appreciate it. Started my own handyman business last month and got my license bond and insurance yesterday!!!

[@DarylTheFINISHER]

Congratulations! Wishing much success to you.

[@pdpUU]

The way you broke this down was really helpful for me! Thanks!

[@DarylTheFINISHER]

I’m happy that it helped!

[@AmazonVariety]

Excellent video!! Thank you

[@handymanjourney]

great video Daryl! I love the handyman business how we can set our own schedules and charge what we need to charge based on how many days / hours we want to work!

[@DarylTheFINISHER]

Absolutely, it's all up to you at the end of the day!

[@anthonywyckoff2964]

Well done, never seen it done like this. Love the content

[@DarylTheFINISHER]

Thanks, appreciate you watching!

[@jfoley1968jf]

Great information thank you

[@claytonhobbs1360]

Thanks man. I appreciate this perspective. Makes me think.

[@DarylTheFINISHER]

I'm glad you got something out of it

[@Handymanprocess]

I like the way you break the numbers down. Thanks for sharing.

[@DarylTheFINISHER]

Much appreciated AJ

[@Redlegarty]

I really like your channel and I’ve learned a lot. Thank you.

[@DarylTheFINISHER]

Thanks, I'm glad you're getting something from it.

[@NOTOROB]

Great video!!!

[@DarylTheFINISHER]

Thanks, much appreciated.

[@HeavensTrendyTreasures]

Dam! Bro this video is fire, thank you I needed this

[@jamesfisher6515]

thanks so much for taking time out to break this down

[@DarylTheFINISHER]

I'm just glad that it helps!

[@Rayram555]

Very clever. Good info.

[@DarylTheFINISHER]

I appreciate you watching, thanks.

[@westensanchez9483]

You can only charge what you're confident enough to ask for and the work you can show them. I started off at 65 just to get experience and I'm up to 100 plus materials. If it's a job I've done a few times before and I already know how long it will take, I'll give a fixed price to maximize my return. Repairing a leaky toilet might only take 1/2 an hour, but it's an automatic 250. Hope that helps some of you guys make money. Also pictures of your work really help. Do good work so you have something nice to show potential customers. It'll make them comfortable paying you what you ask if they see you've done it and you look PROFESSIONAL. That last bit is important. You gotta look good if you want to be paid good.

[@DarylTheFINISHER]

I read 100%. That's one way to give yourself a raise by learning how to do the job faster. I do the same thing with appliance installs, I have a base price no matter how fast I finish. I appreciate you passing on some knowledge!

[@aadams5864]

Great explanation. Just a note, it’s never just 20% taxes. It’s usually 30% for federal + state and an additional 15.3% for self employment taxes. I learned that lesson the hard way!

[@DarylTheFINISHER]

I agree with you. Taxes can definitely be tricky. For me it seems to work out if I do 15 to 20% off of gross revenue then by the time I do all right offs and deductions and I'm left with my taxable income which even if it's 30% of that I have enough to cover it. I definitely recommend that everybody works with an accountant to make sure that they're covered though.

[@mnight207]

In the beginning I was the nice guy. Didn't want to take advantage of anyone. I found out I was undercharging like a mug. So, I changed it up and started charging what I was worth. Lets just say I lost a lot of "loyal" customers when I started charging what I was worth. All the people who praised me and what not, I didn't hear from them anymore

[@DarylTheFINISHER]

That's the truth. Early on I had a customer that told me my prices were too low and had me charge her more. I was spending too much time thinking about what I could afford instead of how much I needed to make.

[@doomslayerforever2858]

now they get julo thats sitting outside the store looking for work doing it for them now

[@noahsturgill20]

Love your videos brother I that's the same platform I use to do my stuff keep making these videos 👍

[@DarylTheFINISHER]

Thanks, there will be plenty more to come!

[@gears6986]

My man. Subscribed today, all I'll say

[@DarylTheFINISHER]

Thanks, much appreciated

[@postpandemicsurvival3701]

New sub!

[@jasonshore6445]

One of the best videos you nailed it …. In my area Northeast cost of living is huge.. Retirement on top all those fees add up.

[@DarylTheFINISHER]

I'm in the Mid-Atlantic and the cost of living is getting crazy here as well.

[@billymcgreff8636]

good stuff!

[@DarylTheFINISHER]

Thanks!

[@joeoverman3793]

You time for Rex qwando lessons! Love that movie Napolian Dynamite movie

[@DarylTheFINISHER]

It's one of my favorites

[@mikehess4494]

Inspiring...TY

[@rustybridges4302]

Interesting

[@charlesw.polanco6775]

Hey buddy. You are good. Thank you for that.

[@DarylTheFINISHER]

Thanks, much appreciated

[@willierobbins8176]

Teach brother! Your teaching videos are really inspiring and I am almost ready to take the leap of faith into the handyman trade. I am currently working full time and doing the handyman trades part time on the side. Thank you so much for showing the way for others!

[@DarylTheFINISHER]

Good luck with your future plans and I'm glad the videos are helping. Starting part-time while you're working is probably the best way to start because there's no pressure and you can find out what you like and don't like to do.

[@rustangrex9833]

Came here for the music, stayed for the knowledge. Love the content.

[@DarylTheFINISHER]

Thanks, much appreciated!

[@rustangrex9833]

Also, been a bench guy from way back.

[@juanlacen9598]

Nice 👍🏾

[@PissedoffChristian]

Thankyou and God bless

[@dantedicamillo7453]

Hey Darrell, thanks so much for putting your wisdom out there. I’ve been in the business for quite some time, and you are spot on when it comes to being paid for every ounce of time and energy that you expel for the business. Here I thought I was a bit high… And listening to you talk about young men starting out and giving the example of if they want to make $100,000 and they ultimately need to charge $112 an hour when figuring out their pricing… It will undoubtedly keep many from the pitfalls of under charging and under planning. We are at right around $200 an hour… And that seems to be a threshold in my area how high I can go for every hour spent even though we priced by the job as not to cap our earnings… That’s another thing I really appreciate. You stating that hourly charges are not the way to go because they ultimately can cause issues with the customer and Your earnings whereas charging by the job allows your earnings to be limitless depending upon your skill. As always a pleasure… Keep them coming!

[@DarylTheFINISHER]

Thanks and I appreciate you watching! I've seen a lot of guys starting out go under early just because they don't realize they're not even charging the bare minimum to stay in business. $50 per hour sounds great when you're an employee, but you'll never make it in this business charging that. It's good that your area supports $200 and I'm certain that your skills reflect that as well. They won't be able to charge what you charge when they start but at least they'll be able to pay their bills and put something to the side to help them grow. Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. It's always good to hear from the guys that are out here doing it already!

[@zimpler8340]

I do my prices figuring $100 an hour plus materials. But I don’t tell the customer I’m using a per hour figure. That’s my basic strategy but it’s flexible because every situation is different. Think how long the job will take you and that’ll give you a rough idea of what to charge.

[@DarylTheFINISHER]

I agree. I always have a certain number in my head for general repairs and then for custom work it gets multiplied.

[@NTSHMA]

Although I get what you were trying to do, you're mistaken. When you're to this type of number crunching, NEVER include any expenses that do not directly relate to the transaction, so there are no personal (non-business) expenses that can or should be deducted. You're comparing the value of your time as an hourly employee working for someone else versus carrying the load as an entrepreneur. In either scenario, you have personal expenses and taxes on income, which are entirely based on your lifestyle and not your direct value proposition as a handyman offering services. In the entrepreneur role, you have the added equipment costs, client acquisition, insurance, vehicle, fuel, billing, etc. The general rule of thumb is to charge somewhere in the range of commercial companies, such as Mr Handyman, but not a general contractor unless you carry that license.

[@themiddleclasstaxslave651]

Good video, agree with a lot it from a business standpoint. Down and dirty way to do it. Great tool for forecasting as well Got my 2nd estimate coming up for recessed lighting install. Probably should charge $1200 but I want to get off the bench, so I will go I’m at $175 a light + materials. I’ve never done it, but I’ve watched KZbin videos … so I’m a processional :) I’ll be doing it on my own house before going to the customers. Looks doable, I’m just praying the electrical box doesn’t look like a rats nest & they aren’t vaulted ceilings What’s your thoughts on the time it takes, I hear 2-2.5hrs per light is what homewyse says… seems a little “ light” (yes I’m a Dad) Good to see ya back - I watch 3 of you guys, you’re one of them

[@DarylTheFINISHER]

Congrats bro I'm wishing you much success! Everything takes longer than you think it's going to take when you first start. I like doing light installations where I have to cut and repair the drywall. It's a huge money maker. Early on I definitely took jobs for less so I could get the experience. $175 is low but do what you have to do. It will payoff later!

[@westensanchez9483]

Go take an electrical course at a community College. If something happens and the house burns down, you'll be sitting in front of a judge.

[@guustpersoon456]

Finally, so that’s why my numbers don’t add up! I always forget to account for my Rex-Kwon-Do lessons.

[@mr.kenslifeshop4034]

Finding out your costs are good but I like to charge the maximum or right below what the market will allow. Im now working half as much as I use to and more money too.

[@fern8580]

Interesting to note that the "handy man" in China does 298 "working days per year " and "one working day" is 9 hours at the customer's site per working day. in France or in the USA for the "handy man" it's not 298 , it's "236 annual working days" and that's 6 hours at the customer site per working day. Thus the Chinese (living in China or the USA or France): working days + 26% per years. +50% of effective hours at the customer's site per day. Yes the same "work ethic" as our grandparents.

[@krisproaffiliate]

I think it's important to say the amount should also reflect the demand of the job but also country. Because while $400 isn't much to some to others that's a lot. For example in my country no one will pay $200/per day or even $50 per job because my country's economy is very bad and people are poor. So, adjustment should be made accordingly. 😅

[@scottbianchini6582]

Nice brother! I don’t know where you live. I’m just outside of Boston mass. I’d like you to talk about markup at some point I charge 20%. Not sure if I’m lowballing or not some guys I talk to charge more than that. What are your thoughts on Mark up?

[@DarylTheFINISHER]

What's up bro, I'm in the Philadelphia area. I've always heard that 20 to 30% works well. I used to charge 25% but now I usually don't mark up materials, I just roll a material acquisition and delivery charge into the price. At this point it's rare for me to get the materials. When I was finishing basements or remodeling bathrooms though I was definitely at 25%.

[@tice513]

Hey, I’m new to the chat but just wondering have you done a video on how to price scopes of work? How do you price equipment and material as far as the up charge do you do it as a percentage or flat rate add on

[@DarylTheFINISHER]

I haven't done a video on that but I'll probably do a live. That's one of those topics. That's too much to tackle in a video. I don't. I don't usually mark up materials, but I know others who mark up to 50%. If I was doing all large projects or building new construction I would definitely be marking up everything though.

[@josephrunnion-bareford7799]

Pretty close to my budget, in my 6th year of business. I'd point out a few things though. Keep LLC and personal separate. Personal need for me is $72k/yr in order to have any retirement savings. $40k/yr is overhead but this could easily double with a helper and/or advertising. I am at $525/day for 220 days. In reality, I work far more than that and don't typically charge a full day for small jobs.

[@liguanli]

Every job you have to add 2 hrs on top driving material talking to customer all take time

[@gavinwhittaker2983]

🔥🔥

[@victorsylvan2596]

I've taken calc classes that didn't explain things this well...

[@nolanclark2253]

Love the breakdown. I’m doing this part-time while I get my feet off the ground and right now I’m at that stage where I’m just trying to keep my phone ringing and doing estimates. I’m right in that $112 range when I bid jobs and even then it’s been a hard sell for any estimates over 1k.

[@DarylTheFINISHER]

Much respect to you getting out there though, some people never do. Times are tight right now so people aren't spending as much. Just make sure you're putting those estimates out there because you never know when they're going to come back. I get called sometimes 6 months later from customers that I thought didn't want the job but thetwere just saving up to get the job done.

[@doomslayerforever2858]

i try to average 4k a week if a job takes me a week and i make 4k im good, but getting steady work is the problem

[@itsmamm3091]

Around where I live it seems that 100 an hour is unattainable, everyone is cheap or maybe I'm just getting taken advantage of but I already feel like for the common folk I always underbid myself when I'm only paying myself 25 an hour and even then I'll still have people complain that its too much and then I won't get the job. I don't know what I'm doing wrong.

[@DarylTheFINISHER]

I do say that in order to be treated like a legitimate business you have to present like one. I'm not saying that you don't, I have no idea. I'll try to make sure that I have all the social media, a legitimate website that can be found on Google easily, digital estimates and invoices, etc. Usually if they find me like they would find any other regular business they don't have the expectation of things being cheap. If you present like the guy that lives down the street then that's how they treat you. I'll be doing lives soon where we'll have more time to go over all these things.

[@itsmamm3091]

Thank you for the advice! I’m working on all those things at the moment and hope I can start charging like a business

[@doomslayerforever2858]

i know thios feeling i try averaging $40 an hour but then it sometimes takes me longer and im down to 30 or 25 . tough times ive been losing alot of work because people dont have the money

[@Slingblade69ss]

Of course some of us veterans of our trades 20 years or more try to work with a clients budget,saying I'm great at my job and l get R done so why over charge clients

[@DarylTheFINISHER]

I agree 100%. There's no need to overcharge anybody. You can still make great money by not doing that.

[@p_black3219]

Man that $112 p/hr is real and very attainable in many markets.

[@DarylTheFINISHER]

Is very attainable but doing specialty work can get you much more than that.

[@doomslayerforever2858]

i need to double it living in jersey also not always ull have work so u better charge the jobs u do get

[@frogger2513]

What about any employees?

[@frogger2513]

However this is an awesome video dude.

[@DarylTheFINISHER]

I stick to the one man shot because that's what I do. Although I do know that with employees it's different because some bring in revenue and some don't. for better information on employees check out the appliance boss . youtube.com/@ApplianceBoss?si=Y3MonaRsrlNx-LuB He's not a handyman but most service businesses are very similar. I appreciate you watching!

[@B-n-L1988]

Like I say love the content but the elevator music is distracting

[@glennturner3036]

My biggest issue is price. I go too low 😢!!!

[@DarylTheFINISHER]

I know exactly what you mean. We all underbid sometimes but you still have to make enough to be able to pay your bills.

[@chuckfinley5206]

Told a customer that my truck had to make 100 bucks a day.

[@teresastephens2642]

I charge $120 for the first hr and $100 for each additional hour. Plus tax.

[@DarylTheFINISHER]

$100 or more, you can't go wrong.

[@user-nn5zd8rf5h]

Only one problem: Competition. It forces handyman to lower their rates.

[@DarylTheFINISHER]

Sometimes but the more established you are the less you have to worry about that unless you're charging astronomical prices. Every time I think I'm charging a lot a customer will tell me how much somebody else was charging and it always blows my mind.

[@lolux6577]

Not if your good

[@doomslayerforever2858]

every trade actually

[@doomslayerforever2858]

@@DarylTheFINISHER yeah i started to raise prices now im losing jobs but its still cheaper then the big boys so whatever they are bottom feeders

[@cristofermorales9893]

Simple calculus *starts intensely sweating

[@DarylTheFINISHER]

I love calculus!

[@Sedevecaustic]

Break the wrist, walk away... Break the wrist, walk away...

[@DarylTheFINISHER]

Bow to your Sensei!

[@Sedevecaustic]

POV: *me after I finish an underbid job* "Six bucks? That's like a dollar an hour!"

[@leadershiphelpdesk510]

Now, segment the market, find a REALLY valuable service, you are now the Macy's of what ever you do. Limited upscale market. 5%. You are not attractive to most people. AND you better be good at what you do.

[@bobhmail7161]

Just get to the point. This is NOT detailed. Its redundancy. Blab blab blab. All of what you provided that could be constructive for someone could have been completed in under 90 seconds, but I liked and subscribed, just quit talking about nothing. Lecture. Don't let them think - LoL.

[@CrashBr0]

People where I live are cheap AF.

[@DarylTheFINISHER]

I know what you mean

[@Ray-tw6iu]

OMG get to the points!!!! It not showtime.

[@DarylTheFINISHER]

All the numbers have been tallied and you have won the award for most insignificant comment of 2024. Congratulations!👏🏼🎇🎆🎉

[@jamesfriesen9633]

This guy seems to be just blowing hot air. I didn't get any value from this. He talks like a of you can just put any kind of dollar figure to your services and make that money without showing us how to bring more value to the customer than you charge.

[@DarylTheFINISHER]

I have a lot of videos about bringing value but this one was just about not undercharging so that you can stay in business. I appreciate you watching but I understand my style is not for everybody.

[@wyattlawrence3327]

Thank you, Daryl - I’m a boatbuilder thinking about doing something similar and you’re a good communicator to help me get the ball rolling 🪚🪛💰

[@fern8580]

20:32 Best handy man on youtube! But a miscalculation, if you have 100 and the predators take 20% taxes then the final price must be 100x1.2= 120 then 120/1.20=100 In the real life , yes you are right , take 126000x1.25=157500 ( in another words , add +25% at 126 000 ) and to do it ? x1.25

[@DarylTheFINISHER]

I appreciate you taking the time to watch. I understand what you're saying but your way works if everything is based off of the $100. Your equation tells me what is 20% more than $100 based off of $100. The problem with that is if I charge the customer $120 and the tax rate is 20% I end up only having $96 left so I'm shorting myself. If I want to have $100 left after I pay the taxes then I need to charge $125 because $125 - 20% equals $100.

[@fern8580]

@@DarylTheFINISHER This video that you made is really exciting, interesting, informative, thank you very much,