Handyman FAQs
The questions we hear most about price, scope and scheduling. Don't see yours? Text it to us.
Pricing and estimates
Are estimates free?
Yes. Send photos and we'll often price small jobs from those. If we need to see it in person, the look is free too.
How do you price a job?
By the job, in writing, before work starts. The price covers labor and the parts we expect to need. If something changes once we open a wall, we stop and talk first.
What do handymen charge in the LA area?
HomeGuide lists Los Angeles handyman rates at $60 to $120 per hour. That's a public cost guide, not our price list. Your written price depends on the job.
Is there a minimum?
Driving out takes time, so very small jobs are better bundled. Put a few fixes on one visit and the trip pays off for both of us.
Why can't your price go over $1,000?
California's minor work exemption covers jobs where labor, materials and everything else total less than $1,000. Above that, a licensed contractor has to do it, so we refer it to a partner.
Can you split a big job into smaller ones?
No. The law doesn't allow splitting a job into small contracts to get under the limit, and we won't do it. A big job goes to a licensed partner.
What we do and don't do
What kind of work do you do?
Repairs and small projects: drywall, doors, sliders and screens, caulk and grout, TV mounts, touch-up paint, fixture and fan swaps, gutters, fence and deck repair, disposals.
What don't you do?
Anything that needs a building permit, main electrical panels, gas lines and roofs. Full remodels, new decks and window replacement go to licensed partners.
Who are your partners?
Licensed local pros we refer bigger jobs to. They quote, contract and answer for their own work. We stay your first call and help get things started.
Do small repairs need a permit in Malibu?
Usually not. The City says paint, floor tile and window coverings don't need permits. Work that does need one goes to a licensed partner.
Can you help with fire-safety upgrades?
The small ones. Swapping vent screens for 1/16 to 1/8 inch metal mesh, clearing gutters and fixing gates are in our lane. Structural hardening goes to a partner.
Do you install new wiring for fans or lights?
No. We swap fixtures and fans where a box and wiring are already there. New circuits and runs need a licensed electrician.
Scheduling and the visit
How do I book?
Call or text a photo of the problem with your address. We'll ask a few questions, send a price and set a time that works.
What days and hours can you work?
Malibu allows construction work 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays, with none on Sundays or City holidays. We schedule inside those hours.
Do I need to be home?
For the first look, it helps. For the work itself, a lockbox or a neighbor is fine for many jobs. Just tell us ahead of time.
Will you clean up?
Yes. We cover floors before cutting or sanding, haul off old parts and sweep up before we leave.
Do you work up the canyons?
Yes: Topanga, Calabasas, Agoura Hills and Westlake Village, plus Pacific Palisades. We plan around canyon drive time.
Still have a question?
Call or text and ask. A photo of the job gets you the fastest real answer.