How much for a handyman? (by Stephen [ON]) Jul 18, 2018 6:07 PM
How much for a handyman? (by Stephen [ON]) Jul 18, 2018 6:09 PM
How much for a handyman? (by AllyM [NJ]) Jul 18, 2018 7:04 PM
How much for a handyman? (by Shelby [IA]) Jul 18, 2018 7:31 PM
How much for a handyman? (by tbird [KY]) Jul 18, 2018 7:44 PM
How much for a handyman? (by Deanna [TX]) Jul 18, 2018 7:58 PM
How much for a handyman? (by Hoosier [IN]) Jul 18, 2018 8:36 PM
How much for a handyman? (by LisaFL [FL]) Jul 18, 2018 11:19 PM
How much for a handyman? (by BRAD 20,000 [IN]) Jul 18, 2018 11:42 PM
How much for a handyman? (by Robert J [CA]) Jul 19, 2018 12:44 AM
How much for a handyman? (by Still Learning [NH]) Jul 19, 2018 3:51 AM
How much for a handyman? (by S i d [MO]) Jul 19, 2018 5:30 AM
How much for a handyman? (by Hammer [TN]) Jul 19, 2018 8:31 AM
How much for a handyman? (by Drew [CO]) Jul 19, 2018 9:32 AM
How much for a handyman? (by Doogie [KS]) Jul 19, 2018 10:42 AM
How much for a handyman? (by BRAD 20,000 [IN]) Jul 19, 2018 12:23 PM
How much for a handyman? (by Andrew, Canada [ON]) Jul 19, 2018 3:45 PM
How much for a handyman? (by Robin [WI]) Jul 19, 2018 4:40 PM
How much for a handyman? (by REMaven [PA]) Jul 20, 2018 11:51 AM
How much for a handyman? (by plenty [MO]) Jul 21, 2018 7:50 AM
How much for a handyman? (by Stephen [ON]) Jul 23, 2018 3:24 PM
How much for a handyman? (by Stephen [ON]) Posted on: Jul 18, 2018 6:07 PM Message:
My handyman is giving me grief that I have been paying him too little. He has worked for me for seven years and for that time I have paid him $25 / hour plus materials. He works for himself and is not insured. I looked at ads online and most others responding wanted $35 although there were still some working for $25. All these numbers are CAD and wages are higher since the province of Ontario set the minimum wage at $14 in January.
His work is good. His punctuality could be better. But all these guys have issues, otherwise they would have regular jobs. I have maintenance backing up, three jobs already and I have to decide whether I am going to pay the big bucks with him or else find another cheap handyman or go with one of the majority charging $35. My rents have gone up substantially over this period. Units that leased for $1,050 now go for $1,300+, and my maintenance labor costs have not changed. Am I behind the times and simply catching up, or am I being taken for a ride?
--174.91.xxx.xxx |
How much for a handyman? (by Stephen [ON]) Posted on: Jul 18, 2018 6:09 PM Message:
I should add that he has yet to make his wage demands known, he has said only that he has worked for rates that are far too low and that he will not work for that rate any more. Online advertising gives the parameters as to what is out there. $35 is a popular choice. --174.91.xxx.xxx |
How much for a handyman? (by AllyM [NJ]) Posted on: Jul 18, 2018 7:04 PM Message:
Mine charges $50 an hour and he works very fast and does a perfect job so I feel it is worth it. He is insured. --73.178.xxx.xx |
How much for a handyman? (by Shelby [IA]) Posted on: Jul 18, 2018 7:31 PM Message:
Just think of it this way, self employed people SHOULD get raises just like everyone else that works in a factory or whatever. For example, my mom cleans houses for a living (for 10 different people) and she asks for a raise after a few years but most of the people give her one before she even has to ask. Even when I worked factory we got a cost of living raise annually. My opinion. --173.26.xx.xxx |
How much for a handyman? (by tbird [KY]) Posted on: Jul 18, 2018 7:44 PM Message:
By the job? --98.93.xx.xxx |
How much for a handyman? (by Deanna [TX]) Posted on: Jul 18, 2018 7:58 PM Message:
If he's a treasure, give him what will make him happy. That's the cost of a reliable guy who's prompt, responsive, communicative, and competent-- doing what makes him happy so he keeps making you a priority.
If there are a thousand like him, steer some more of your work towards hungrier handymen who work for less, and see who you want to rely on for the next five or seven years.
--96.46.xxx.xx |
How much for a handyman? (by Hoosier [IN]) Posted on: Jul 18, 2018 8:36 PM Message:
When you say $25/hour, how are the hours counted? Do you include travel time to the job? Time to quote? Time to go to Lowes/Menards and pick up materials? Time for him to gather his tools up at home and load into his truck?
If you're only paying him for time actually working at the house, that may be a bit low. But if you're allowing for some of the other things above, that seems reasonable.
I know that it takes me 30 minutes to gather all the items I need for a job, and 30 more to put it all away when I get home. --99.92.xxx.xxx |
How much for a handyman? (by LisaFL [FL]) Posted on: Jul 18, 2018 11:19 PM Message:
Hoosier makes some excellent points! The behind the scenes time and work is so often overlooked and under appreciated and it is real! --173.170.xxx.xxx |
How much for a handyman? (by BRAD 20,000 [IN]) Posted on: Jul 18, 2018 11:42 PM Message:
Stephen,
If you found one you like work to KEEP HIM!!! They are super hard to find and worth their weight in gold.
If he's hinting he's serious but does not know how to ask.
Offer another $1 per hour and ask if that keeps him happy.
I also pay $.50 per mile, starting at the first jobsite. This way I can call and send him somewhere during the day without burning up his gas.
When do you tell your wife you love her? Before someone else does!
BRAD
--68.50.xxx.xxx |
How much for a handyman? (by Robert J [CA]) Posted on: Jul 19, 2018 12:44 AM Message:
I am a licensed contractor that charges accordingly. A handyman charges about half my labor cost but has to make a trip to the hardware store to purchase the needed parts to effect the repairs. Sometimes the parts aren't easy to find and a handyman will spend more time looking for parts then the time it should take to complete the task. You get what you pay for....
--47.156.xx.xx |
How much for a handyman? (by Still Learning [NH]) Posted on: Jul 19, 2018 3:51 AM Message:
Last one $40 hot mess would go MIA on the job and want $ every few days. Tried some more skilled at $60 and one is skilled but slow. Another wasn’t that impressive. About to try a new painter and that would allow me to break up the projects. 1 handyman makes it simpler for me but I’m not finding one at the moment. Here, anyone that is good is busy. I asked for names at my last landlord meeting. I got one that that is part way across the state but the other landlord explained, “He’s my guy and I share, but if I call him in the morning with an emergency, he is coming to me and will call you to say will be late or not coming that day.” He must have enough work for him to have that loyalty but not enough to hire him as an employee. --24.61.xxx.xx |
How much for a handyman? (by S i d [MO]) Posted on: Jul 19, 2018 5:30 AM Message:
My guy charges me $40 for a service call to do something simple. He charges others $50.... I get a better rate since I call him several times per month and have been with him for 12 years. If I give him a full day's work, it averages out to $28-$30 hour. He does painting, light electrical, plumbing, etc. I call it a good deal.
Used to have a guy who moonlighted for $15 and did good work. He's long gone, unfortunately.
I think $35 is the new "going rate" for a decent worker. Sure, you can still find guys for $10-$15, but they are "helpers" and cannot be counted on to work independently. Delays, excuses, "missing" tools, etc. are common with those guys.
Think of it like this: if the guy is paying his taxes....$25/hour is really $18-$20. If he's paying insurance/licensing, knock off another $1-$2. Plus he's not getting a full 40 hours/week from you: he's having to fill his calendar and when someone cancels on him last minute it's like a miniature layoff. Maybe his $1,500 job that he booked for the week calls Monday morning and says, "We don't need you." Now he has to scramble to try to find work or goes "hungry" for the week. He's often really sweaty and/or stinks from plunging commodes and clearing out junk. He has to hose himself down with bug spray so the tenants fleas don't jump on him and the bed bugs don't catch a ride on him to his house. He's got tools and a truck to maintain. What's all that worth to you for not having to maintain it/keep your garage clean and your nights and weekends free?
--173.19.x.xxx |
How much for a handyman? (by Hammer [TN]) Posted on: Jul 19, 2018 8:31 AM Message:
This is a great time/opportunity to have a discussion with him.
I always try to get a little something when giving more. Can you negotiate a flat rate for certain jobs/tasks? Can you formalize some other services? What you are trying to do is pin down some of those "loose" issues in exchange for more pay.
Ex. Lets set the fee for __________ at $_____ that should guarantee that amount for you on these small jobs. (gives him an incentive to work quickly and move on to the next task instead of dragging it out for more $$).
Ex. Hey I can up your rate for ____xyz____ to $xx/hr but I need you to start work promptly at 8am and work on my job until its finished before you go to another guys project.
Ex. I can up your rate for xyz to $xx/hr but I will need you to give me a written quote for the job and I will pay you in full the day you finish. (this puts a firm price on things and stops them asking for money part way through the job or leaving to work on somebody elses project) --137.119.xxx.xxx |
How much for a handyman? (by Drew [CO]) Posted on: Jul 19, 2018 9:32 AM Message:
Mine charges $25/hr and works fast. (Good food for thought your post!) My guy is a gem and I would like to keep him happy. I gave him a "sign on" bonus after his first extensive assignment ($50 cash) and tend to round up to the nearest ten on jobs if it's under a hundred and sometimes to the nearest hundred if he's done a bunch.
I've got a back up guy who b/c I use much less and pay $45 for an on-call job one hour or less or $25 for multiple hour jobs.
I've just brought in another back up. Haven't used him yet but he seems very skilled & reliable. Retired contractor looking to pick up some jobs. $37.50/hour.
I'm out of town a bunch, I don't want to mess with the lesser skilled, lesser reliable crowd if/when I call someone in. --172.58.xx.xx |
How much for a handyman? (by Doogie [KS]) Posted on: Jul 19, 2018 10:42 AM Message:
I employ 2 handymen. One charges by the hour and does small/medium size jobs for me. It's $25/hour, he's punctual and does good work so far. He just started a couple weeks ago. He actually caught me up on the backlog, which was awesome. I got more I'll be sending his way soon as he's proving himself.
The other handyman charges by the job. I have no idea what it equates to hourly as I'm not sure how much time he's typically spending on the job. He's worked for me for long enough that I just give him the key and tell him to call me when it's done. I do believe his prices are fair and we agree on it before the job starts as well. He handles the bigger remodel/carpet stuff.
If you have one you like and has done a good job, I would recommend a raise. You get rent raises, he should get salary wages as well. If he's at $25 now, maybe $27 and review in 6 months? If he's working for himself as an independent contractor, you pretty much have to pay what he charges anyway. If you have some control over it, then you can negotiate a rate out. I wouldn't let a good handyman that you trust walk away unless the rate was at insanity level. They're hard to come by these days and the good ones deserve it. --98.175.xxx.xxx |
How much for a handyman? (by BRAD 20,000 [IN]) Posted on: Jul 19, 2018 12:23 PM Message:
Stephen,
I find that guys like this pride themselves on how much they are paid per hour. The perks and bonuses I gave do not help him at the family BBQ when others are bragging about what they make per hour at the factory. So I backed off on the perks and raised his hourly rate. He said he'd rather have the money thru the year than a year end bonus.
They also are what they are. If he's usually late he won't change that for a pay increase. That's just him. Some people don't perceive time like a clock does.
Many handymen are self-employed handymen because they cannot handle the structure of a factory and timeclocks.
Side note: I watched an interview online of a top person at Manpower. She said many companies are hurting for workers so they are backing off on drug tests and tardiness policies - just to keep the factory running.
Best: "Joe, I really like having you on the team and appreciate the good work you do. You're right, we need to increase your rate."
BRAD --68.50.xxx.xxx |
How much for a handyman? (by Andrew, Canada [ON]) Posted on: Jul 19, 2018 3:45 PM Message:
Recently I have been paying someone $25 hourly to do yard work, and other unskilled labor....that seems to be the going rate. And at that rate, he is booked a week in advance.
The expertise of a decent handy"person", I dont think we are allowed to say "man" anymore (im only half kidding), would be more than $25. --70.31.xx.xxx |
How much for a handyman? (by Robin [WI]) Posted on: Jul 19, 2018 4:40 PM Message:
I was paying my handyman $20/hr a couple of years ago. A year ago he announced he was charging $35/hr. I told him I'd have to find someone else for the less-skilled stuff, but truth be told, it's been difficult to find someone to replace him for less. There's a lot of value in having someone you can hand a list and a key to, and know that it will be done. --204.210.xxx.xxx |
How much for a handyman? (by REMaven [PA]) Posted on: Jul 20, 2018 11:51 AM Message:
Handymen are like unicorns around where I live. Or, at least, ones I’d feel comfortable being alone at a property with.
He deserves a raise. He’s been good to you for a long time and his hourly rate is below what others are charging. --96.245.xx.xxx |
How much for a handyman? (by plenty [MO]) Posted on: Jul 21, 2018 7:50 AM Message:
If you got a good one the cost to replace is fair more than the price to keep him happy. --99.203.xx.xxx |
How much for a handyman? (by Stephen [ON]) Posted on: Jul 23, 2018 3:24 PM Message:
Well what do you know, I met with my handyman and we chatted for a while, and then we got around to rates. I said he had worked for me for a number of years and he had been paid $25 for that time, what did he think was a fair rate going forward? His answer was $30. We shook hands and there you have it, that is his new rate.
I have some units that have risen by $200 - $300 per month in rent (three have gone up by about that much in the past twelve months), I have others that are just going up by the rent controlled 1.8%. Either way I can afford $5 per hour as an increase. This exercise has convinced me that I need to diversify. He is good but I am overly reliant on him. Our first foray into the handyman hiring field did not go so great. My wife went out and babysat a $25/hr handyman while he worked on a bathroom vent fan. His demeanour was not great, he wanted cash only, paid daily. My regular guy takes business checks and issues invoices, which is better for our accounting. He is also liked by tenants. So today's new handyman might be a one time only character, and it might be back to the online ads to find another. It would be nice to have three decent ones on call that I could spread the work around so that if one is too busy another could come and do it.
This thread was quite educational. I was struck by how many people were resigned to paying higher rates for quality work. His work is good, and I have relied on him for some years. Thankfully his aspirations are not outrageous and can be accomodated without too much difficulty. The forum helped me think this through very carefully so I knew what I was going to do ahead of time on what is a significant operating expense. Maintenance is an ongoing issue in property management and smooth management of maintenance is critical. I tend to agree with the sentiments expressed here that you get what you pay for. --174.91.xxx.xxx |
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