Halifax Handyman Rates and Information

My Rate

For most jobs my rate is $90 per hour with a minimum charge of $200 for any job requiring 2 hours or less. Some jobs may be priced at a flat rate. I bill in half-hour increments after that. Materials and HST are extra, and final amounts are shown on your invoice. NOTE: I charge for any time required to go to suppliers and buy materials on your behalf.

Business Hours

I am open for business, answer calls and respond to emails Monday to Friday between 8:00 AM to 6 PM, holidays excluded. If you contact me outside of this time, I'll get back to you as soon as possible IF I can help you.

Scheduling Your Jobs

I schedule and perform all my own work. Service is first-come first-serve. I ALWAYS show up as scheduled, and typically book 5 to 10 business days out. Emails are fine for initial contact, but I must talk (via phone) to ALL new customers to schedule jobs. Please call me or provide a phone number to reach you during the day in any emails requesting work.

Payment Terms

For all single-day jobs payment is due upon completion of the work. For multi-day jobs, or when I am supplying materials a deposit is required. Balance of payment is due upon completion. I accept cheques and cash when on-site, and Interac eTransfer payments for remote deposits only. An invoice is always provided. When the work is done payment is due when on site.

Deposits

When deposits are required, I accept online payments via Interac e-Transfer. A deposit is required for ALL multi-day jobs and whenever I supply materials or supplies on your behalf. An invoice of your deposit is sent via email for all payments as is a final invoice when the work is completed.

Guarantee

I provide you with a ONE YEAR GUARANTEE covering any defects in workmanship. I take pride in my work and complete all work professionally to ensure your complete satisfaction.

Free Phone Estimate

I CAN NOT come to your property and meet with you for free. I charge for the time time and expense to come and see your potential repairs.

I will happily provide you with a FREE PHONE ESTIMATE based on your description AND any photos you send me. My experience completing hundreds of small repairs means my estimates are realistic estimates of time and materials needed to complete the potential work.

For jobs that are hard or impossible to gauge or describe or whenever you are uncertain about what needs to be done a (paid) Service Call / Site Visit (see below) is required.

NOTE: Photos taken from your smartphone with a variety of angles are helpful for me to provide a more accurate assessment costs required to complete your work.

Service Calls and Site Visits

For unusual, multi-day, lengthy lists of repairs, or hard to describe repairs, I charge for my time to help you determine what needs to be done. This service costs $100 plus HST ($115.00). Since I respect your time and value mine, if you schedule my services and later cancel this minimum charge ($100+HST) will always apply.

Note that I can often spot issues with your intended repairs and can suggest repair alternatives. I can also measure and survey the materials required ensuring I have the appropriate materials on hand to complete the work efficiently, saving you money.

Materials and Supplies

I normally will supply any nails, screws, adhesives, caulking, drywall compounds and other related supplies required to complete typical small jobs. These items are tallied and the final amount shown on your invoice.

I can often find and supply specialized materials and supplies on your behalf, however a deposit will be required to cover the complete cost of the materials. See below for details.

Pick-up and Delivery Services for Materials and Supplies

I can deliver a limited amount of small materials and supplies to your jobs site. For any materials I pickup I charge my normal rate and mark-up most supplies by 15 percent or cover the costs of fuel and overhead involved. You always have the option to provide all of your own materials and supplies. This service is a convenience to you.

Trip Charge

A trip charge applies whenever your location is outside the Halifax and Bedford urban area (further than 10 kms from the bridges) or whenever repeat trips to a supplier is required. The trip charge depends on the distances involved and is shown on your invoice, but is typically $10-25 per trip. Ask if you have questions before the work is done.

Paints and Painting Supplies

I normally provide all the basic supplies I need for painting projects and will invoice you for those items used. Painting supplies are typically in the $20-40 range for typical painting consumables.

All paints, stains, and other any other finishing materials MUST be chosen by and supplied by you on-site for use on the day of the work unless otherwise agree upon. This ensures your complete satisfaction when matching existing colors and sheen levels.

I am happy to provide guidance in your paint selection, and suggest the most appropriate local paint suppliers. Check out the information on my website regarding suggested paints and painting.

Electrical, Plumbing, and HVAC

Sorry, I do not do ANY electrical, plumbing, or heating ventilation or air conditioning (HVAC) work regardless of how small. I can often suggest reputable tradesmen in these fields and can coordinate my jobs with these tradesmen, as required, to complete your jobs.