Handyman

Find a handyman near El Cajon, CA

Find a handyman near El Cajon, CA

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Top 10 Handymen near El Cajon, CA

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Q & A

Answers to commonly asked questions from the experts on Thumbtack.

How much does a handyman charge?

Minimum rates for handyman jobs typically range from $60-$100. Pricing will depend on skill and experience required for the job, as well as regional labor rates. Here are a few examples of average handyman flat rates:

  • Attic ladder replacement: $150.
  • Toilet replacement: $75.
  • Ceiling fan and light fixtures: $75.
  • Faucet replacement: $125.
  • Garbage disposal: $75.

A handyman performs general maintenance and repairs for residential and commercial properties. A handyman may charge a flat fee for standard services that take a predictable amount of time, such as installing a new appliance, as well as an hourly rate for larger projects such as digging out and replacing a rotted fence post. A cost-saving strategy when hiring a handyman is to bundle all the tasks you want them to do into one visit to make the most of any minimum service fees.

What do handymen charge per hour?

On average, you can expect to pay a handy person around $55 per hour. However, this cost can range between $35 and $80 per hour, depending on a number of factors. For instance, a handyman may charge a minimum fee of $50-$100 for small jobs that won’t take much of their time. The complexity of the job will affect the price as well. Your final price will also depend upon where you live, as certain regions have higher labor rates than others. 

Get in touch with a few handy people near you, and ask for free cost estimates.

What does a handyman do?

A handyman is a skilled laborer who provides basic home repairs. Anyone can call themselves a handyman, although most who do so are skilled with repairs and home projects. Reading reviews is a good way to determine their fitness for your job. The tasks a handyman can perform include assembling furniture, painting interiors and exteriors, repairing fences, repairing broken doors or replacing trim, hanging lights, hooking up appliances, and much more. Handymen may have flat fees for certain services, or charge an hourly rate. Handyman rates are often lower than those of a contractor, as they don’t have the same specialization. Some states have no limit on the work a handyman can perform, while others do. For example, California’s Building and Professions Code section 7048 (small operations) permits handymen to provide work similar to that of a contractor (floor installation, painting, etc.) provided the total cost of labor and materials does not exceed $500. A handyman is a great resource for minor home repairs at a lower cost than a licensed contractor, but for more complex projects, it pays to hire a specialized contractor. Fore more, check out our tips for smart hiring on Thumbtack.

Is it worth it to hire a handyman?

It’s worth it to hire a handyman in many cases. For example, you should hire a handyman when the project’s size and scope make it challenging to complete by yourself. These projects may include major home remodels or additions, foundation work or electrical/plumbing/HVAC-related tasks. However, make sure the handyman has the proper credentials or license to perform the necessary work.

You might also want to hire a handyman if a contractor’s price is too high. Handymen often charge less than general contractors, but contractors typically have the required license to perform certain tasks.

And, lastly, think about the complexity of the job and the cost of future repairs. It’s worth it to hire a handyman when the project is complex. Doing something incorrectly can wind up costing more than hiring the pro in the first place.

Can a handyman do plumbing?

In some states, a handyman can provide plumbing services, but it may be in your best interest to call a plumber, particularly for issues more major than unclogging a drain or attaching a new sink. Hiring a plumber is important because mishandling your water and gas lines has the potential to do great damage to your home, your family’s health, or even the safety of your neighborhood. A handyman is not legally required to have any training or licensing in plumbing matters, while a licensed plumber has undergone years of education and on-the-job training. In some cases, homeowners insurance won’t cover damage caused by plumbing repair done by an unlicensed handyman.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, most plumbers learn their trade through a four- or five-year apprenticeship with 2,000 hours of paid on-the-job training. They also receive classroom education including “safety, local plumbing codes and regulations, and blueprint reading. They also study mathematics, applied physics, and chemistry. After completing an apprenticeship program, plumbers … are considered to be journey workers, qualifying them to perform duties on their own,” according to the DOL. Licensed plumbers should do continuing education to keep abreast of safety and technology changes. Poor plumbing can lead to sewage backups, a flooded home or even natural gas leaks, so it’s best to leave it in the hands of a specialized professional.

Do handymen offer remote or virtual services?

Because a handyman needs to be physically present to perform work, they have not traditionally offered remote or virtual services. However, if you come across handyman profiles that state they offer remote services, message the handymen to see what those services include.

Confer with your handyman to see if consulting over video calls is possible. The professional may be able to walk you through performing basic plumbing, electrical, HVAC and other types of repairs around the house. Compare the handymen in your area side-by-side online, and ask whether they’re willing to help remotely.

Reviews for El Cajon handymen
Joshua P.
Awesome handyman. Showed up on time and was very respectful, explained everything he was going to do. Very good quality of work also. I highly recommended this handyman professional.
Unstoppable Handyman Services, INCUnstoppable Handyman Services, INC
Sylvia c.
Francisco called me within 1 minute of me requesting a handyman and made himself available same day which was exactly what I was lookin for. He was punctual and very professional. I would highly recommend him to anyone in need of handyman service and I will hands down be calling him again.
francisco gomezfrancisco gomez
Isaiah G.
I highly recommend this handyman for their exceptional service in fixing my toilet flusher. From the moment they arrived at my home, they were courteous, professional, and knowledgeable. They quickly diagnosed the problem with my toilet flusher and explained the necessary repairs to me in a clear and understandable way. The handyman worked efficiently and diligently to fix the issue, ensuring that the toilet flusher was working correctly before leaving. They were respectful of my home and left the area clean and tidy after completing the job. Not only did they fix the problem, but they also provided useful tips on how to prevent similar issues from occurring in the future. I appreciate their attention to detail, expertise, and excellent customer service. Overall, I am very satisfied with the service provided by this handyman and would highly recommend them to anyone looking for reliable and skilled handyman services. Thank you for your outstanding work!
Unstoppable Handyman Services, INCUnstoppable Handyman Services, INC
Greg K.
John did a great job of fixing/installing various things in my home. He was on time, worked efficiently and professionally, and provided an accurate quote before the work at reasonable rates. I will definitely use him again for my handyman needs.
Unstoppable Handyman Services, INCUnstoppable Handyman Services, INC
Hannah M.
Jesse did amazing! He responded so quickly, showed up to do an estimate the next day and then him and his worker completed everything I requested in 2 days! He’s the best and so sweet! Thanks again Jesse, found myself a forever handyman!
JVs handyman’s serviceJVs handyman’s service
Angie V.
Sonny quickly responded to my search for a handyman. He was able to come right away and was very punctual. His knowledge for the projects that I had going was perfect. He completed the work very quickly and very professionally. Everything looks perfect and he was very polite and professional and friendly. I recommend him highly.
SA Handyman Co.SA Handyman Co.
Cindy T.
Travis is very thorough in what he does as a handyman. I have a portable washing machine that I needed to install but did not have the correct attachment. He went to Home Depot to find the part which was a challenge from what he told me. Came back to complete the job. My washing machine runs beautifully
military veteran Painting & Drywallmilitary veteran Painting & Drywall
Adam M.
Nick was great to work with. We needed a same day fix of some plumbing we needed repaired in an outside spigot. He came by same day with very little notice and was able to fix very quickly. We recently bought a home and are very happy to have found a great handyman who we can depend on for our future needs.
Nomad RepairNomad Repair
Joanne T.
Rocky completed a beautiful tile job at our home. He responded to me immediately, gave me a fair quote, and set a date and time to arrive. He arrived on time and was very polite. His work was meticulous! We will definitely call him for all of our future home needs. We highly recommend Rocky Handyman Services!
ROCKY CREATIVE REMODEL INC.ROCKY CREATIVE REMODEL INC.
Thumbtack Customer
My husband and I planned a very assorted list of repairs that included painting, planting plants, electrical work and design of a flagstone path around an existing path that needed to blend in as nearly as possible. They showed up (Yeah!) on time (imagine that!) and worked vigorously through the list, coordinating each effort in a priority that suited my needs. This is the second time we have used this service, and their skill set and my demands, were exceeded. They shopped for my materials and cleaned up after themselves everyday. They were cheerful, very polite and were intent on making us happy. They truly seemed to enjoy working together and always asked questions to assure they were on the right track. I will not stop using the Unstoppable Handyman, and will continue to call them for future work because of their work efforts and their versatility.
Unstoppable Handyman Services, INCUnstoppable Handyman Services, INC
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