What a handyman costs in Jacksonville

Most handyman jobs in Jacksonville are small: a towel bar that pulled out of the wall, a closet door that won't close, a few pictures, a shelf in the garage. The problem is that a lot of companies won't come out for small jobs, or they charge a big trip minimum before anyone picks up a drill.

We price it the simple way. A handyman hour is a flat $80, booked online, and it covers the first hour of work on whatever is on your list. Travel is free within 10 miles of central Jacksonville and a flat $35 from 11 to 30 miles out. A 3% service fee is added at checkout.

What fits in one hour

• Hanging 3 to 5 pictures or a large mirror
• Installing a towel bar, toilet paper holder and robe hook
• Adjusting sticking doors and replacing door hardware
• Putting up a curtain rod or two
• Anchoring a dresser or bookcase to the wall
• Swapping cabinet knobs and pulls in a small kitchen or bath

What makes a job take longer

Three things add time in Northeast Florida homes. Concrete block walls take longer to drill than drywall. Plaster in older homes in Riverside, Avondale and San Marco has to be drilled slowly so it doesn't crack. And anything high up, like a two-story foyer, needs a taller ladder and more setup. If your job runs past the included hour, extra time is $80 an hour, and we always ask before we keep going.

How to get the most out of a visit

• Write the list down and put the most important job first
• Have the parts on hand: the towel bar, the hooks, the hardware
• Mark where things go with painter's tape
• Clear a path to the wall and move fragile things out of the way

What a handyman can't do in Florida

Electrical, plumbing, HVAC and roofing work need a licensed contractor in Florida. Those services are coming soon to Homestallers, done by a licensed contractor. Until then, we stick to the jobs we can do well and legally, which covers most of the small stuff on a typical list.

Related guides