Handyman price guide

How much does a handyman cost?

Most Australian handymen charge around $60–$110 an hour, usually with a minimum charge of $80–$150 for the first visit. A half day is often $250–$500 and a full day $450–$900. Small fixed-price jobs like mounting a TV or assembling flat-pack furniture typically cost $80–$250.

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Typical hourly rate $60–$110 Business hours. Rates vary with experience, the tools needed and how far they travel.

Minimum charge $80–$150 Covers a short visit or the first hour. Save up a few jobs to get more from it.

What common handyman jobs cost

Job	Typical price	Notes
Mount a TV on the wall	$100–$250	Bracket extra. A new power point behind it needs an electrician
Assemble flat-pack furniture	$80–$250	Per piece; big wardrobes take longer
Hang pictures, mirrors or shelves	$80–$200	Per visit, for a handful of items
Fix a sticking or damaged door	$100–$300
Patch holes and cracks in plaster	$150–$500	Small areas; painting to match is extra
Re-silicone a shower or bath	$120–$300
Clean gutters, single storey	$150–$350
Repair or replace flyscreens	$80–$200
Half-day job list	$250–$500	About four hours
Full-day job list	$450–$900	About eight hours

Indicative prices for typical Australian homes, including GST. A guide, not a quote. Last reviewed 3 October 2026.

What drives handyman prices

The minimum charge. Most handymen charge a minimum for the first visit, whether the job takes ten minutes or an hour. One loose hinge costs nearly as much as five, so it pays to save jobs up.

The size of the list. A half day or full day is usually the cheapest way to buy a handyman’s time. Write the list down, add photos, and send it before the visit so they turn up with the right gear and parts.

Materials and trips. Brackets, anchors, plaster, silicone and flyscreen mesh are normally charged on top. If the handyman has to duck out to the hardware store mid-job, that time usually counts too, which is another reason to send photos first.

Walls and access. Hanging a heavy TV or mirror on brick or concrete takes longer than on plasterboard with studs in the right spot. Anything up a ladder, like gutters, takes longer again and needs the right safety gear.

Getting a fair handyman quote

For a single job, ask for a fixed price. For a list, ask for an hourly or half-day rate and a rough idea of how long it’ll take. Either way, get it in writing, and check the handyman has public liability insurance and an ABN.

Know where the legal line sits. Electrical work and most plumbing and gas work need a licensed tradie, and building work can need a contractor licence, depending on your state and the value of the job. Our licence checks page explains who regulates what. A good handyman will tell you straight when a job is outside what they can do, and needatradie can match you with one vetted local handyman or the right licensed trade.

Handyman or a tradie?

If the job involves wiring, a new power point or a circuit that keeps tripping, you need an electrician; see our electrician price guide. Leaking toilets, blocked drains and hot water are a plumber’s job. Bigger timber work like a deck or new doors is often better value from a carpenter. For the small stuff in between, our handyman page explains what a good one can knock over in a visit.

Handyman prices by city

City	What to expect
Sydney	Usually toward the top of the range, and travel across the city can add to the bill. Ask whether travel time counts toward the minimum charge.
Melbourne	Similar to Sydney. Older homes keep handymen busy with sticking doors, cracked plaster and draughty windows over winter.
Brisbane	Most handymen charge somewhere around $50–$120 an hour, and many homeowners book a half or full day to clear a whole list.
Perth	Mid-range. Summer brings flyscreen and shade work, and gutters often need clearing before the winter rain arrives.
Adelaide	Reactive clay soils across much of Adelaide move with the seasons, so sticking doors and cracked cornices are common small jobs.
Gold Coast	Much like Brisbane on price. Holiday units and rentals create plenty of quick repair jobs between tenants and guests.
Newcastle	Usually a little under Sydney rates. If you're further out, a half or full day is often the best value because it spreads the travel.
Canberra	Toward the higher end. Winter is a good time for indoor jobs like door adjustments and draught sealing, while cold weather slows outdoor work.

Handyman costs: common questions

How much does a handyman charge per hour in Australia?

Most handymen charge around $60 to $110 an hour, with a minimum charge for the first visit. Where a handyman sits in that range depends on experience, the tools needed and how far they travel. Some price small jobs at a fixed amount instead, which is easier to compare. Materials like brackets, plaster and silicone are usually extra.

What is the minimum charge for a handyman?

Expect a minimum of around $80 to $150. It usually covers a short visit or the first hour on site, whether the job takes ten minutes or sixty. That's why it pays to save up a few small jobs and get them all done in one booking rather than calling someone out for each one.

How much should a handyman charge per day?

A full day is often $450 to $900 and a half day $250 to $500. Day and half-day rates usually work out cheaper per hour than booking several short visits, so they suit a long to-do list. Agree on the list and who supplies the materials up front so there are no surprises on the invoice.

Do you need a licence to be a handyman in Australia?

There's no single handyman licence, but the rules still apply to the work. Electrical work and most plumbing and gas work need a licensed tradie, however small the job. Building work over a set dollar value needs a contractor licence too, and that limit varies by state; in NSW, for example, it's $5,000, and South Australia has no minimum. A good handyman will tell you when a job is outside what they can legally do.

Is it cheaper to hire a handyman or a tradie?

For small, mixed jobs, a handyman is usually cheaper, because one person can knock over several tasks in one visit and the hourly rate is often a bit lower than a licensed trade's. For anything licensed, structural or specialised, like wiring, plumbing, waterproofing or a big deck, you need the right trade. The cheap option costs more if it has to be redone.

How much does it cost to mount a TV on the wall?

Usually $100 to $250 for the labour, plus the bracket. On plasterboard, the bracket has to go into studs or heavy-duty anchors, and brick or concrete takes longer to drill. If you want a new power point behind the TV, or power run inside the wall to a new outlet, that part has to be done by a licensed electrician.

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