Handyman Estimate Template
A handyman estimate forecasts the price before work starts: 9 lines for half-day visit to mount a TV, patch two drywall holes, rehang a sticking door and replace a bathroom faucet, totalling $657.50, with labour the largest share (40%). It states its assumptions and stays valid for 30 days. Edit the lines and download the PDF.
Pre-filled for a handyman: half-day visit to mount a tv, patch two drywall holes, rehang a sticking door and replace a bathroom faucet. Example prices: replace them with your own.
From
Cedar Hill Handyman
729 Market Street
Georgetown, TX 78626
billing@example.com
(512) 555-0129
Estimate
Prepared for
Riley Chen
52 Aspen Way
Franklin, TN 37064
client@example.com
| Description | Qty | Rate | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum visit charge, first hour includedFirst hour spent swapping the bathroom faucet | 1 visit | $95.00 | $95.00 |
| Mount 65-inch TV on tilting wall bracketInto studs, cables tucked in cord cover | 1.5 hr | $75.00 | $112.50 |
| Tilting TV bracket and cord cover kit | 1 each | $85.00 | $85.00 |
| Patch two drywall holes, sand and primeReady for paint; painting not included | 1 hr | $75.00 | $75.00 |
| Drywall patch kit, joint compound and primer | 1 lot | $28.00 | $28.00 |
| Plane and rehang sticking interior door | 1 hr | $75.00 | $75.00 |
| Bathroom faucet, customer-approved model | 1 each | $140.00 | $140.00 |
| Supply lines and plumber's putty | 1 lot | $22.00 | $22.00 |
| Hardware store run for parts | 1 trip | $25.00 | $25.00 |
- Subtotal
- $657.50
- Estimate total
- $657.50
Notes
A handyman estimate should list each task with an expected time, the hourly rate and minimum, and the fixtures or materials the customer is expected to supply.
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Handyman estimate at a glance
| Scope estimated | Half-day visit to mount a TV, patch two drywall holes, rehang a sticking door and replace a bathroom faucet |
|---|---|
| Estimate total | $657.50 before tax |
| Valid for | 30 days from the estimate date |
| Deposit | Small visits are paid on the day; when parts or fixtures must be bought in advance, a handyman often asks for their cost up front. |
| Labour (3 lines) | $262.50, 40% |
| Products (2 lines) | $225.00, 34% |
| Fees (1 line) | $95.00, 14% |
| Priced in | hr |
Estimate breakdown for half-day visit to mount a TV, patch two drywall holes, rehang a sticking door and replace a bathroom faucet
| Item | Type | Est. quantity | Est. amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum visit charge, first hour included | Fees | 1 visit | $95.00 |
| Mount 65-inch TV on tilting wall bracket | Labour | 1.5 hr | $112.50 |
| Tilting TV bracket and cord cover kit | Products | 1 each | $85.00 |
| Patch two drywall holes, sand and prime | Labour | 1 hr | $75.00 |
| Drywall patch kit, joint compound and primer | Materials | 1 lot | $28.00 |
| Plane and rehang sticking interior door | Labour | 1 hr | $75.00 |
| Bathroom faucet, customer-approved model | Products | 1 each | $140.00 |
| Supply lines and plumber's putty | Materials | 1 lot | $22.00 |
| Hardware store run for parts | Travel | 1 trip | $25.00 |
| Estimated total | $657.50 |
What to write on a handyman estimate
A handyman estimate should list each task with an expected time, the hourly rate and minimum, and the fixtures or materials the customer is expected to supply.
Materials and products are $275.00 of this $657.50 estimate (42%), so say how long those prices hold: supplier prices can move before the job starts.
Handymen typically charge by the hour with a minimum visit charge, plus materials picked up for the job at cost or with a small markup.
Assumptions behind each line
Write these next to the 9 lines so the customer sees what the $657.50 depends on.
- Minimum visit charge, first hour included: a flat $95.00.
- Mount 65-inch TV on tilting wall bracket: 1.5 hr at $75.00 per hr ($112.50); extra hr at the same rate.
- Tilting TV bracket and cord cover kit: 1 each at $85.00 ($85.00); another grade or brand changes this line.
- Patch two drywall holes, sand and prime: 1 hr at $75.00 per hr ($75.00); extra hr at the same rate.
- Drywall patch kit, joint compound and primer: 1 lot at $28.00 ($28.00); another grade or brand changes this line.
- Plane and rehang sticking interior door: 1 hr at $75.00 per hr ($75.00); extra hr at the same rate.
- Bathroom faucet, customer-approved model: 1 each at $140.00 ($140.00); another grade or brand changes this line.
- Supply lines and plumber's putty: 1 lot at $22.00 ($22.00); another grade or brand changes this line.
- Hardware store run for parts: 1 trip ($25.00), assuming the site at 52 Aspen Way.
Changes, overruns and change orders
If the customer adds work, put it on a signed change order first. Here one more hr of "Mount 65-inch TV on tilting wall bracket" adds $75.00, or 11.4% of the estimate.
A 10% rise in material prices would add $27.50 to this job, which is why many handymans limit how long an estimate stays valid.
Tips from handyman services billing
- Write the arrival and departure times and list every task done during the visit, so an hourly total for a mixed job list is easy for the customer to follow.
- Split the labor hours by task, as with the TV mount, drywall and door lines here, so a customer who thinks one small job ran long can see exactly where each half hour went.
- Many states cap the value of a job someone without a contractor license may take on; if you work under such a limit, keep each invoice's scope and total within it and check your state's current figure.
- Attach or reference store receipts for fixtures you bought, since customers comparing a faucet price online want to see what you paid and any markup you added.
Checking the labour rate
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024: median hourly wage of Maintenance and Repair Workers, General $23.38 (employees, not contractor rates).
The sample's $75.00 per hour for "Mount 65-inch TV on tilting wall bracket" is 3.2 times that employee figure; a business rate also has to cover insurance, tools, travel, unbilled admin time and profit.
Turning the handyman estimate into an invoice
-
Get it approved
Ask Riley Chen to sign or reply in writing to estimate EST-4926.
-
Record the changes
Update quantities to what was actually used across the 9 lines.
-
Switch the document type
Change Estimate to Invoice in the tool; the lines and parties stay.
-
Deduct what was paid
Enter any deposit as amount paid so the balance due is correct.
Frequently asked questions
How do I write a handyman estimate?
Describe the job (Half-day visit to mount a TV, patch two drywall holes, rehang a sticking door and replace a bathroom faucet), list each line with an estimated quantity and rate, total it ($657.50 in the sample), state how long it is valid and what it assumes, then send it as a PDF for approval.
Is a handyman estimate binding?
An estimate is a forecast, not a fixed price, so the final invoice can differ when the work or materials change. Rules vary by country and state; to stay safe, get written approval before billing noticeably more than the $657.50 you estimated.
How long should a handyman estimate be valid?
Thirty days is common and is what this template uses. With 42% of the price in materials, a shorter validity protects you if supplier prices rise.