What is an reasonable price to pay an handyman

[Account Closed]

From time to time I need the services of a skilled handyman/carpenter to work on a house for a day or so. Is there a going rate for this kind of job? Having let guys bid by the job in the past has not worked that well. For example one guy bid to redo a bathroom and we agreed on a price then he circled back around after the job was started and wanted to know who was going to do the plumbing in the bathroom. One handy person agreed on a price to level a small pier and beam house. After he started and got some money in his hand he wanted to know if I wanted him to level the back of the house as well. ( for more money of course ) 

[Leland Barrow]

If you pay a handyman to level a house then you are asking for issues. Major repairs should go to a skilled tradesman that is licensed and bonded. You should have a formal agreement that includes scope of work and a release of lien. A "handyman" is someone that replaces garbage disposals, paints, repairs trim etc. these are minor repairs and should be about $20 an hour to $40 an hour for less than a days work or $15-35 an hour for multiple days work.

@35-40 you are paying someone that has done it many times and needs no direction.

@15 you are paying someone that may have done it once before and you will act as supervisor and quality assurance.

General labor (home depot) can be significantly less and you are paying them to be able to dig holes, move rocks, or load trash.