Most handymen in Philadelphia charge between $45 and $100 an hour. Taskrabbit lists handyman work in the city starting at $45 per hour, and HomeBlue puts the local range at $50 to $100. Small jobs are often priced as a flat fee or carry a one-hour minimum, so a 20-minute fix can still cost you a full hour.
Hourly handyman rates in Philadelphia
Across the US, Airtasker reports handyman rates from $40 an hour to more than $120, depending on the task and the location. Philadelphia sits in the middle of that spread. What moves a quote up or down here:
- The trade behind the task. Hanging a door is general carpentry. Swapping a light fixture touches electrical work, and in Philadelphia electrical and plumbing work requires a city trade license even in a one- or two-family home (City of Philadelphia, L&I).
- Travel and parking. A job in a dense block with no parking takes longer than the same job in a driveway in the Northeast.
- Materials. Some pros include basic supplies; most bill parts separately.
- Minimum charge. A one-hour minimum or trip fee is common for very small jobs.
What common handyman jobs cost
The figures below are national price ranges from cost guides, with labor and parts included unless noted. Use them as a starting point for a Philadelphia quote, not as a fixed price.
| Job | Typical price | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Patch a small drywall hole | $100–$200 | Taskrabbit |
| Patch a 6–12 inch drywall hole | $150–$300 | Taskrabbit |
| Repair water-damaged drywall | $500–$2,000 | Taskrabbit |
| Mount a TV on the wall | $111–$229 (average $170) | Thumbtack |
| Replace a ceiling fan on existing wiring, handyperson | $111–$204 labor | Fixr |
| Replace a ceiling fan on existing wiring, electrician | $228–$415 labor | Fixr |
| Replace a toilet flapper | $75–$150 | HomeTips |
| Replace a toilet fill valve | $100–$200 | HomeTips |
| Fix a roof leak | $350–$1,500 | Fixr |
A toilet that runs nonstop is often a $10–$25 part you can replace yourself; our guide on how to fix a running toilet walks through it. A ceiling stain is a different story: see what a small roof leak costs if you wait.
Why two quotes for the same job can differ
Philadelphia’s housing is old. According to the Economy League of Greater Philadelphia, 41% of homes in Philadelphia County were built before 1940 and only 15% after 1980. That age shows up in the work:
- Plaster and lath walls take longer to patch than drywall, and anchors behave differently in them.
- Brick party walls and exterior walls need masonry bits and the right anchors. Thumbtack notes that brick, concrete and stone add labor to TV mounting.
- Floors and door frames are rarely square, so “simple” door or trim work involves more scribing and shimming.
- Paint in homes built before 1978 may contain lead, and contractors who disturb it have to follow EPA lead-safe rules (JLC), which adds setup and cleanup time.
A quote that looks high may simply account for these conditions. A quote that looks very low may not.
When a handyman is not the right hire
A handyman is the right call for small repairs, installs and punch lists. Some work needs someone else:
- New plumbing or electrical circuits. Philadelphia requires a licensed plumber or electrician for this work.
- Permitted projects. On an existing one- or two-family home, work that needs a building permit but no electrical or plumbing permit can be done by the owner who lives there or by a registered PA Home Improvement Contractor with a Philadelphia Commercial Activity License (City of Philadelphia).
- Larger renovations. Kitchens, bathrooms and structural changes need a contractor who can pull permits and coordinate trades.
Pennsylvania also requires anyone doing $5,000 or more of home improvement work a year to register with the Attorney General (PA Office of Attorney General). Our guide on how to hire a contractor in Philadelphia covers what to check.
How to keep the bill down
- Group small jobs into one visit. A two-hour list costs less than four separate service calls.
- Send photos and measurements when you ask for a quote, including the brand and model of any fixture.
- Ask whether the price is flat or hourly, and whether there is a minimum or trip fee.
- Clear the work area and move furniture before the pro arrives.
- Do the easy parts yourself. Our list of repairs you can DIY and the ones to hand off helps you decide.
Get a quote in Philadelphia
Handyman Services of Philadelphia has handled repairs and small projects in the city since 2010, from Center City and South Philly to Northeast Philadelphia, plus nearby Delaware and Montgomery Counties. See what our handyman service covers, call (267) 669-8388, or request a free estimate online.
FAQ
Do handymen in Philadelphia charge a minimum?
Many do. A one-hour minimum or a flat trip fee is common for very small jobs, so ask before you book.
Is a handyman cheaper than a contractor?
For small repairs, usually yes, because there is no project management or permit work in the price. For permitted or multi-trade projects, a contractor is the right hire.
Can a handyman do plumbing or electrical work in Philadelphia?
Not work that requires a license. Philadelphia requires a city trade license for plumbing and electrical work, including in one- and two-family homes.
Are materials included in the price?
It depends on the pro. Most quotes list labor and parts separately; confirm this when you compare estimates.
