Short answer: local handyman labor typically runs about $65–$125 an hour, and most small jobs land between $100 and $600. Below are typical ranges by job — and why we skip the guessing and quote every job upfront.
Skip the averages. Tell us the job and get a real number within 24 hours.
These are general San Francisco Bay Area price ranges to set expectations — not a quote. Your actual price depends on the specific job, materials, access, and how many tasks you batch together. We always confirm a fixed price upfront, free.
Roughly $65–$125/hour in the Bay Area, often with a 1–2 hour minimum. We usually quote per job instead, so you're not watching the clock.
About $150–$400, depending on TV size, wall type (plaster and brick cost more), and cable concealment. TV mounting details →
Around $150–$500 for a typical patch; larger or water-damage repairs run higher. Drywall repair details →
Roughly $50–$150 per item — a nightstand is quick, a wardrobe or bunk bed takes longer. Assembly details →
About $150–$350, driven mostly by single- vs two-story and how much debris. Gutter cleaning details →
Commonly $250–$900 — a few boards and a gate latch is quick; resetting rotted posts costs more. Fence & deck details →
Around $150–$350 at an existing fixture; high ceilings and fan-rated boxes add to it. Ceiling fan details →
About $100–$300 for a straightforward swap; heavy chandeliers on high ceilings run higher. Light fixture details →
A handyman quote isn't one number pulled from a chart — it reflects the real job in front of us. The biggest factors: the task itself (a shelf vs. a wardrobe), materials (a mount, a fixture, lumber, paint), the wall or surface (plaster and brick are slower and need special hardware than drywall), access and height (a two-story gutter or a stairwell chandelier), and how many tasks you batch into one visit.
That last one is where you save the most. A single trip charge spread across five small fixes almost always beats five separate visits, which is why the honey-do list is the best-value way to hire us. Send the whole list and we'll price it together.
Prices are also simply higher across the San Francisco Bay Area than the national averages you'll see online — labor, insurance, and fuel all cost more here. A fixed upfront quote is how we take the surprise out of that: you approve the number before any work starts.
Describe the job or send a photo. The more we can see, the tighter the quote.
We reply within 24 hours with a set price and timeline — free, and with no obligation.
The price is locked before we start. If the scope changes, we talk first — never a mystery bill.
In the San Francisco Bay Area, handyman labor typically runs about $65 to $125 an hour, and many small jobs land somewhere between $100 and $600 depending on the task, materials, and time on site. Those are general market ranges, not a quote — The City Home Repair prices each job upfront before any work starts, and estimates are free.
Both are common. Many Bay Area handymen bill hourly (often with a one- or two-hour minimum), while others quote a flat price per job. We give you a fixed, upfront quote for the work so you know the total before we start — batching several small tasks into one visit is usually the best value.
As a rough guide, TV mounting typically runs about $150 to $400 depending on TV size, wall type, and cable concealment, and a small drywall patch is often around $150 to $500. Larger or more complex jobs cost more. Send a photo and we'll quote your specific job for free.
Yes — our estimates are free and come with no obligation. Send a few details or a photo of the job and we'll reply within 24 hours with a fixed price and a timeline.
Labor, insurance, fuel, and the general cost of doing business are all higher in the San Francisco Bay Area than the national average, so local handyman rates sit above national figures. The upside is that a fixed upfront quote means no surprises regardless of the market.
For smaller jobs, often no — California lets unlicensed handymen take "minor work" under $1,000 (labor and materials combined) that needs no permit. Larger or permitted work requires a licensed contractor. We explain the rule in full on our California handyman license guide.
The $1,000 minor-work rule, in plain english.
See the page → San FranciscoThe whole honey-do list — one visit, one upfront price.
See the page → East BayBased in Fruitvale, minutes from your neighborhood.
See the page →A fixed upfront quote for your job across San Francisco and the Bay Area — within 24 hours.