A handyman contract lists the tasks individually (priced flat per task or $50–$100/hour with a 1–2 hour minimum), assigns materials (client-purchased or contractor-supplied at cost plus 10–25%), and stays inside the legal line: most states cap unlicensed handyman work at a per-job dollar threshold ($500 in California, $1,000–$3,000 elsewhere) and prohibit unlicensed trade work like electrical and plumbing beyond minor repairs. Payment is due on completion for small jobs, with deposits reserved for material-heavy work.
Handyman Contract Template
Reviewed by the Agiled editorial teamUpdated June 2026
Handyman work is a list business — a dozen small jobs in one visit — and the contract should look like the list. Task by task, priced flat or hourly against a...
Part of our free contract template library — 75+ agreements in Word and PDF, ready to customize and sign.
Full template text
HANDYMAN SERVICE AGREEMENT
Date: _______________
Service Address: _______________
PARTIES
This Handyman Service Agreement ("Agreement") is entered into by and between:
Client: _____________ ("Client"), with a mailing address of _____________, Phone: _____________, Email: _____________
Handyman: _____________ ("Handyman"), doing business as _____________, with a mailing address of _____________, Phone: _____________, Email: _____________, Insurance Policy No. _____________
CLAUSE 1 — SCOPE OF SERVICES
The Handyman agrees to perform the following services at the Service Address:
All work shall be performed in a professional, workmanlike manner consistent with industry standards for handyman services.
CLAUSE 2 — MATERIALS
Materials required for the Services shall be provided by: [ ] Handyman [ ] Client [ ] Both (as specified per task).
If the Handyman provides materials, the cost shall be: [ ] Included in the Service Fee [ ] Billed separately at cost plus % markup.
The Handyman shall obtain the Client's written approval before purchasing any material exceeding $__________ in cost.
CLAUSE 3 — SERVICE FEE
The Client agrees to pay the Handyman as follows:
[ ] Flat Fee: $_____________ for all Services listed in Clause 1.
[ ] Hourly Rate: $_____________ per hour, with an estimated total of _____________ hours ($_____________ estimated total).
[ ] Per-Task Pricing: As listed in the attached Schedule of Fees (Exhibit A).
The Service Fee does not include materials unless specifically stated above.
CLAUSE 4 — PAYMENT TERMS
Payment is due: [ ] Upon completion of all Services [ ] Within _____ days of invoice [ ] 50% deposit upon signing, balance upon completion.
Accepted payment methods: _____________
Late payments shall incur a fee of $_____________ or ___% per month, whichever is greater.
CLAUSE 5 — SCHEDULE
The Handyman shall perform the Services on _____________ (date) beginning at approximately _____________ (time). The estimated duration is _____________ hours/days. If the Handyman cannot meet the scheduled date, the Handyman shall notify the Client at least 24 hours in advance and propose an alternative date.
CLAUSE 6 — ADDITIONAL WORK AND CHANGE ORDERS
Any work not listed in Clause 1 shall be considered additional work and must be agreed upon in a written Change Order signed by both Parties before the work begins. The Change Order shall describe the additional task(s), the additional cost, and any schedule adjustment.
CLAUSE 7 — CLIENT RESPONSIBILITIES
The Client shall provide the Handyman with access to the Service Address at the agreed time, ensure work areas are reasonably clear, and secure all pets during the service visit. The Client shall make timely decisions on material selections or approvals to avoid schedule delays.
CLAUSE 8 — INSURANCE AND LIABILITY
The Handyman maintains general liability insurance with coverage of at least $_____________ per occurrence. The Handyman shall exercise reasonable care to protect the Client's property during the performance of Services. The Handyman shall be responsible for damage to the Client's property caused by the Handyman's negligence. The Handyman shall not be liable for pre-existing conditions, concealed defects, or damage caused by the Client.
CLAUSE 9 — WARRANTY
The Handyman warrants all workmanship for a period of _____________ days/months from the date of completion. This warranty covers defects in the Handyman's labor and does not cover materials supplied by the Client, normal wear and tear, or damage caused by misuse. If a warranted defect is identified, the Handyman shall correct the issue at no additional charge within a reasonable timeframe.
CLAUSE 10 — CANCELLATION
Either Party may cancel this Agreement with at least _____________ hours' written notice before the scheduled service date. If the Client cancels with less than the required notice, a cancellation fee of $_____________ shall apply. If the Handyman cancels, no fee shall be charged to the Client.
CLAUSE 11 — DISPUTE RESOLUTION
Any dispute arising under this Agreement shall be resolved through: [ ] Mediation [ ] Small claims court [ ] Binding arbitration in the county where the Service Address is located.
The prevailing Party shall be entitled to recover reasonable costs and fees.
CLAUSE 12 — INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR STATUS
The Handyman is an independent contractor and is not an employee, agent, or partner of the Client. The Handyman is solely responsible for their own taxes, insurance, and benefits.
CLAUSE 13 — GOVERNING LAW
This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of _____________.
CLAUSE 14 — ENTIRE AGREEMENT
This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding between the Parties and supersedes all prior discussions. Amendments must be in writing and signed by both Parties.
SIGNATURES
Client: ___________________________ Date: _______________
Printed Name: ___________________________
Handyman: ___________________________ Date: _______________
Printed Name: ___________________________
Exhibit A — Schedule of Fees (if per-task pricing is selected)
- Hourly rate
- $50 – $100
- Minimum charge
- 1 – 2 hours typical
- Unlicensed job cap
- $500 – $3,000 by state
- Materials markup
- Cost + 10% – 25%
What your handyman contract should cover
Task list with per-task pricing
Each job named and priced: 'Replace bathroom faucet (client-supplied) — $150. Patch and paint hallway drywall — $225.' The list is the scope; anything added on site is a new line, agreed before it's done.
Hourly terms and the minimum
For open-ended work: the hourly rate, the 1–2 hour minimum that covers the trip, and how partial hours bill (quarter or half-hour increments). The minimum is what keeps a single doorknob from being a money-losing visit.
Licensing scope statement
What the handyman does and doesn't take on: minor repairs yes; electrical, plumbing, gas, structural, and HVAC beyond minor fixtures, no — unless licensed. Most states also cap unlicensed jobs at a dollar threshold; the contract should stay visibly under it.
Materials responsibility
Client-purchased (handyman provides the shopping list) or handyman-supplied at cost plus 10–25% with receipts available. Special-order items paid for up front, non-returnable once ordered.
Estimates vs. quotes
Flat task prices are firm; hourly estimates are estimates, with a not-to-exceed cap and a call-before-exceeding promise. The cap converts hourly anxiety into a bounded number.
Found conditions
The rotted subfloor under the toilet, the dead outlet behind the drywall — stop, show, price, and get written approval before proceeding. Small-job change orders can be a text message, but they must exist.
Insurance
General liability stated (typically $300k–$1M for handyman work). Clients should ask; professionals should volunteer it — the certificate is a sales tool as much as protection.
Payment timing
Due on completion for single visits — card, transfer, or check on the spot. Multi-day projects: materials deposit up front, balance on completion. Recurring property accounts: monthly invoicing, Net 15.
Warranty on workmanship
Commonly 90 days to 1 year on labor; manufacturer warranties cover client-supplied fixtures. No warranty on repairs the client was advised against ('patch it again' on a failing surface) — noted on the invoice when it happens.
Typical handyman pricing (U.S., 2026)
| Item | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hourly rate | $50 – $100 | Metro markets higher |
| Minimum charge | $75 – $200 | 1–2 hour equivalent |
| Half-day rate | $200 – $400 | Task-list visits |
| Full-day rate | $400 – $800 | |
| TV mounting | $100 – $300 | Size and wall type |
| Faucet/toilet swap | $125 – $350 | Fixture excluded |
| Drywall patch + paint | $150 – $450 | Per patch area |
| Materials markup | +10% – 25% | Over cost, receipts kept |
Rates vary by region and task complexity. State licensing thresholds cap what unlicensed handymen may charge per job — California's is $500 including materials — and trade work (electrical, plumbing, gas, HVAC) requires licensed trades beyond minor repairs.
How handyman contracts work in practice
The task-list visit
The classic booking: six small jobs accumulated over months, knocked out in a half day. The contract is the priced list — flat per task where the work is predictable, hourly with a cap where it isn't — and the handyman works it top to bottom. The discipline that keeps these profitable: tasks added on site get priced on site before they're done, and the client-supplied fixtures are confirmed on hand before the visit is scheduled. A missing faucet cartridge turns a 20-minute swap into a parts run on the clock.
Property managers and recurring accounts
Rental turnovers and tenant repair tickets run on a standing agreement: agreed hourly and common-task rates, a per-work-order line on a monthly invoice (unit number, task, time, materials), photos before and after, and Net 15 payment. The agreement adds an authorization threshold — work orders under a stated amount (say $300) proceed without per-job approval; anything above gets sign-off first. That threshold is what makes the account fast for the PM and safe for the handyman.
The job that's bigger than it looks
A 'small bathroom fix' reveals a rotted subfloor; a 'replace the light fixture' turns out to need new wiring. Two boundaries protect everyone: the found-condition stop (show, price, approve in writing before proceeding) and the licensing line — wiring, gas, and supply plumbing belong to licensed trades, and many states void payment rights for unlicensed work over the threshold. The professional move the contract should encode: refer it out, stay on the right side of the line, and keep the client relationship.
Mistakes that weaken a handyman contract
Working without a minimum
The 30-minute job is never 30 minutes — there's the drive, the parking, the chat, the parts run. A 1–2 hour minimum prices the visit honestly; without it, small jobs subsidize the client, not the business.
Crossing the licensing threshold quietly
Splitting a $2,000 job into four $500 invoices doesn't fool a state board. Over the threshold means licensed-contractor territory — and in many states, unlicensed work over the line can't even be sued for payment.
Vague hourly with no cap
'It'll take a few hours' becomes a dispute at hour six. Estimate, cap, and call before exceeding — the client controls their exposure and the handyman keeps the trust.
Eating materials runs
Unpriced shopping time and unmarked-up materials quietly donate an hour and the markup on every job. Bill the run at the hourly rate or build it into the task price — but pick one in writing.
Warrantying client-supplied fixtures
The bargain-bin faucet that fails in a month becomes the handyman's fault unless the contract says labor is warranted, fixtures follow their manufacturer, and reinstallation of a failed client-supplied part is a new task.
How to use this template
- 01
Download the handyman contract template in Word or PDF.
- 02
List each task with its flat price, or set the hourly rate, minimum, and a not-to-exceed cap.
- 03
Assign materials: client-supplied with a shopping list, or supplied at cost plus the stated markup.
- 04
Note the licensing scope and keep job size inside your state's threshold.
- 05
Set payment timing (on completion for visits; deposits for material-heavy work).
- 06
State the workmanship warranty and have both parties sign — a text-message change-order trail covers on-site additions.
Skip this template if…
- Remodels and structural projects — licensed general-contractor territory with permits and milestone payment schedules.
- Trade-specific work (electrical panels, gas lines, supply plumbing) — licensed trades only, in nearly every state.
FAQs
How much does a handyman charge per hour?
Typically $50–$100 per hour, with metro markets running higher, plus a minimum charge equivalent to 1–2 hours that covers the trip. Common flat rates: TV mounting $100–$300, faucet or toilet replacement $125–$350, drywall patch with paint $150–$450.
What can a handyman legally do without a license?
Minor repairs and small projects under a state-set dollar threshold — $500 per job in California (including materials), $1,000–$3,000 in many other states. Electrical, plumbing, gas, HVAC, and structural work beyond minor repairs require licensed trades almost everywhere, regardless of job size.
Should a handyman provide a written contract?
Yes — even a one-page task list with prices, signed or confirmed by message. It sets the scope, the rates, the materials arrangement, and the warranty, and it's the only thing that turns 'you said it'd be $200' into a checkable document. Some states require written contracts above small thresholds.
Who buys the materials — the handyman or the client?
Either, as long as the contract says which. Client-purchased works well for fixtures the client wants to choose; handyman-supplied typically bills cost plus 10–25% with receipts available, and shopping time bills at the hourly rate unless built into the task price.
Do handymen guarantee their work?
A 90-day to 1-year workmanship warranty on labor is standard. Client-supplied fixtures follow their manufacturer's warranty — if the part fails, reinstalling a replacement is a new task. Repairs performed against the handyman's written advice are typically excluded.
When should I pay a handyman?
On completion for single-visit work — on the spot, by card or transfer. Multi-day or material-heavy projects reasonably take a materials deposit up front with the balance on completion. Be wary of large upfront payments for small jobs; that pattern is a classic red flag.
Pair it with the handyman invoice template
The contract sets the terms — the invoice collects on them. Free download with the right line items pre-filled.
Need more than a template?
Create, send, and e-sign contracts with Agiled — alongside your CRM, invoicing, and projects.
Start free with Agiled