Handyman Renovations

Q: Why should I hire a professional handyman?

No matter how tempting DIY projects are, sometimes it’s just better to hire a handyman . Of course, it saves time (let’s be honest, who wants to fix a leaky window or pipe on their day off?) but it’s also about expertise. Experienced handyman contractors have the skills to tackle extensive home maintenance jobs such as minor plumbing and woodworking jobs, even weeding the yard, so things are done right the first time. Their knowledge also makes them pros at safety – they know which wires to cut, how to stay on a ladder – so they’re safe and so are you. Along with the knowledge comes the tools. Many jobs, even relatively small ones, require expensive specialty tools that homeowners don’t often have on hand but any good handyman does. And overall, there can be less stress and expense when there’s an experienced handyman at the helm: they don’t skip steps so every aspect of the job is taken care of and they make sure a standard job doesn’t turn into a costly repair down the road. Nothing is left to chance and the homeowner can rest assured that their home improvement project is done right the first time around.

Q: What is a handyman?

A handyman (or woman) is a home improvement professional who handles general home services. If you have a list of small home repairs, a handyman contractor can tackle them for you. A handyman acts as the first line of defence for home repair services: if your handyman comes across a serious issue with the structure of your home in the course of their work, they’ll be able to refer you to the appropriate specialized contractor.

Q: What is an hourly rate for a handyman?

Your handyman’s hourly rate will vary depending on your location and the skill set of your handyman contractor. Typically the more experience they have, the higher rate they will charge.

Q: What is the difference between a handyman and a contractor?

A handyman can be a form of licensed contractor. In many parts of Canada, a handyman requires a licence to perform more extensive home maintenance jobs. However, while a handyman contractor can perform basic repairs and upkeep, a licensed general contractor can oversee all aspects of a major construction job.

Get up to 3 free quotes on your remodeling project from the best handymen near you

Find a Handyman

Renovation Process with a Handyman
How to plan projects with a handyman

What does a handyman do? Your local handyman (or woman) can take care of small home repairs, odd jobs, regular maintenance work, and smaller home renovations. A handyman contractor can take you through home upgrades and installations with ease. Read on to learn how to find a handyman in three simple steps:

home renovation tile cabinet work bathroom

Plan ahead

Develop your handyman repair list and outline the home renovations required. We will use the details you provide to supply you with three free quotes for handyman contractors near you.

Define a realistic budget

Handyman projects often come with a lower price tag than other home renovations. Because a handyman is often employed to complete not one task, but a list of small home repairs and installations, they’re even more likely to charge by the hour than other contractors.

Compare contractors

Submit your project to Smart Reno to receive quotes from verified contractors. Compare each quote and determine the best home handyman services for your needs. Choose the residential handyman who fits your vision as well as your budget

Find a Handyman

How much do handyman services cost?

The cost of handyman services will vary depending on the nature of the job and the handyman’s hourly rate and skillset. A general handyman will charge a lower fee for general home services and odd jobs compared to a handyman contractor with expertise in more specialized fields like plumbing and carpentry.

The complexity of a handyman project will also impact the hourly fee. Applying intricate tiling to a bathroom wall will cost more than hanging fabric draping in a basement, and installing a new kitchen storage system may involve a higher hourly rate than applying varnish to existing cabinets. If you are unsure about the cost estimate provided, seek out additional handyman quotes to determine the fair price for a job.

Get an Estimate

Type of renovation	Predictable budget
Hourly Rate	$50 – $150
Small Jobs (<2 hours)	$100 – $400
Large Jobs (4+ hours)	$500 – $1,000+

Average prices for jobs in Canada

home renovation cutting wood with plan drawings

What kind of projects can a handyman do?

The scope of practice of the residential handyman is so broad, it’s easier to describe what a handyman can’t do. Rewiring electrical, extensive plumbing, or structural repairs are beyond the skills of your local handyman. Most small jobs around the home can be readily added to the handyman repair list.

They can tackle smaller renovation projects like smaller tiling projects, painting a room, and installing storage systems. Some handymen can also handle outdoor landscaping projects like planting new trees, pruning shrubs, and installing raised beds for a new garden.

Handyman: Tips and tricks
Top projects for a handyman

Once you have a handle on how to hire a handyman, it’s time to develop the project list. Handyman projects can cover almost every aspect of home renovation. Homeowners will most often seek out handyman services for these four projects:

Replacing cabinets and storage

Tired of dull, lifeless kitchen cabinets? Your local handyman can switch out your stained particle board from the early 70s for a sleek, modern storage system, complete with drawer slides and soft-closing cabinets. Brighten up kitchens and bathrooms with help from a residential handyman.

Changing a toilet, shower, or bath

If you want to switch out your bathroom appliances, you might choose to call a handyman. When replacing old toilets, showers, sinks, or bathtubs with new ones, rerouting the plumbing is not always a requirement. Ask your handyman about installing new fixture in the same locations.

Install a tile backsplash

Installing new tiling on your backsplash to add a much-needed pop of colour to your kitchen. A general handyman can install decorative accents that allow you to express your unique style without undergoing a full home renovation.

Replacing a countertop

Homeowners who dream of replacing their laminate kitchen islands with a butcher-block countertop find handyman services essential to perform the installation quickly and easily.

Tools & Calculators

RBC Home Value Estimator

Find out how much home equity you have to finance your renovation using the RBC Home Value Estimator.

Use this estimator

Renovation Cost Estimator

Not sure what your renovation should cost you? Use the Renovation Cost Estimator to find out.

Use this calculator

Handyman services

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and let our vetted contractors compete
to win your project.

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Clients Review

See what our clients have to say about our handyman services

Very helpful

It was very helpful to have three different quotes on my many projects. Thank you for sending contractors my way.

Bonny
Toronto, ON

Helpful for small job

Smart Reno provided contractors that were interested in my small job. Other sites were only interested in large $$$ jobs. I found this very helpful.

Brenda
Mississauga, ON

Patient and extremely professional

I can not say enough nice things about Vladimir. He was so helpful, very patient, and extremely professional. I highly recommend Outside the Box Renovations for any projects needed.

Heather
Coquitlam, BC

Frequently Asked
Questions About Handyman Contractors

Why should I hire a professional handyman?marianne2022-10-11T15:41:06-04:00

Why should I hire a professional handyman?

No matter how tempting DIY projects are, sometimes it’s just better to hire a handyman. Of course, it saves time (let’s be honest, who wants to fix a leaky window or pipe on their day off?) but it’s also about expertise. Experienced handyman contractors have the skills to tackle extensive home maintenance jobs such as minor plumbing and woodworking jobs, even weeding the yard, so things are done right the first time.

Their knowledge also makes them pros at safety – they know which wires to cut, how to stay on a ladder – so they’re safe and so are you. Along with the knowledge comes the tools. Many jobs, even relatively small ones, require expensive specialty tools that homeowners don’t often have on hand but any good handyman does.

And overall, there can be less stress and expense when there’s an experienced handyman at the helm: they don’t skip steps so every aspect of the job is taken care of and they make sure a standard job doesn’t turn into a costly repair down the road. Nothing is left to chance and the homeowner can rest assured that their home improvement project is done right the first time around.

What is a handyman?tyler2021-05-04T01:39:23-04:00

What is a handyman?

A handyman (or woman) is a home improvement professional who handles general home services. If you have a list of small home repairs, a handyman contractor can tackle them for you. A handyman acts as the first line of defence for home repair services: if your handyman comes across a serious issue with the structure of your home in the course of their work, they’ll be able to refer you to the appropriate specialized contractor.

What is an hourly rate for a handyman?tyler2021-05-04T01:37:55-04:00

What is an hourly rate for a handyman?

Your handyman’s hourly rate will vary depending on your location and the skill set of your handyman contractor. Typically the more experience they have, the higher rate they will charge.

What is the difference between a handyman and a contractor?tyler2021-05-04T01:36:41-04:00

What is the difference between a handyman and a contractor?

A handyman can be a form of licensed contractor. In many parts of Canada, a handyman requires a licence to perform more extensive home maintenance jobs. However, while a handyman contractor can perform basic repairs and upkeep, a licensed general contractor can oversee all aspects of a major construction job.

Handyman Renovations