Handyman & Small Jobs

Small jobs are priced differently from big ones. Travel, parking and setup cost the same whether the visit lasts forty minutes or four hours, which is why many handypeople set a minimum visit charge or a half-day rate. The most economical approach is a list: mount the TV, rehang the sticking door, patch the drywall, redo the bathroom caulking and assemble the dresser in one trip. Having parts and materials already on site, and clearing access to each work area, also shortens the visit.

A handyman is the right call for general repairs and installation, but Ontario draws firm lines around some trades. Electrical work for hire, even adding an outlet or replacing a light fixture, is legally the job of a Licensed Electrical Contractor. Gas appliances need a TSSA-certified technician, and plumbing beyond swapping a fixture belongs to a licensed plumber. A trustworthy handyperson will tell you when an item on your list needs a different trade instead of quietly doing it anyway. Ask about liability insurance, and what happens if something they install comes loose.

Handyman work runs all year, though tasks cluster by season: caulking and weatherstripping in fall, screen repairs and loose deck boards in spring, and urgent fixes after windstorms. Condo owners should check building rules on work hours and drilling into concrete before booking. For a quote, write your list with one line per task, add a photo of each item and any parts you've already bought, and say whether you'd like everything done in a single visit. The quote costs you nothing.