Why Hiring a Handyperson to Tackle Your To-Do List Is a Genius Move

We all have the best intentions for our to-do lists, but they can quickly grow out of control when you put them off weekend after weekend. When Saturday arrives, the last thing you want to do is grab a wrench and fix that leaking pipe, and so you punt that to-do list another week.

If this sounds like you, you may want to consider hiring a handyperson to take some of these tasks off your plate. While hiring a pro to complete your to-do list is a great idea, you may not know which tasks are best for them to handle. Let’s dive in.

What To-Do List Tasks Are Best for a Handyperson to Tackle?

Most homeowners have a to-do list as varied as fixing a squeaking door to clearing out the garage. These tasks often build up over time, and then that list truly becomes daunting. Fortunately, a handyperson can handle a lot more of the tasks than you probably realize.

Of course, a handyperson can't handle everything on your list—for example, you probably shouldn't give them the "pick up a birthday card" task. But if you're like most homeowners, you've got a ton of little fix-it tasks that take up the bulk of your time. This situation is where a handyperson can help out while you take care of the personal tasks.

Here are a few examples of some of the things a handyperson can do to help you:

• Clear dryer vents

• Clean gutters

• Fix leaky pipes

• Repair siding

• Window repair

• Install a new ceiling fan

• Assemble furniture

• Mount a TV

• Fix a malfunctioning electrical outlet

• Install pet doors

• Hang pictures

• Paint a bedroom

• Replace a showerhead

• Move a fridge to your basement

• Powerwash the patio

• Repair cracked floor tiles

How to Prep Your To-Do List for a Handyperson

Before you call a pro, though, you’ll need to get things organized to make it worth everyone’s while.

First, prioritize your list based on immediate need. For example, maybe you really need someone to winterize your home near the end of fall, or you need a crack in your window fixed ASAP. These should rise to the top of your to-do list, and you should communicate to the handyperson that these are the most important. 

You should also include any helpful notes with your final task list, like explaining where they can find certain components like your fuse box or explaining any past issues you’ve had that may affect their work, such as previous damage to your gutters. 

From there, you can contact a handyperson near you and give them a list of things you need them to do around your home. More than likely, they'll be happy to provide you with a basic quote, but this is also where any additional information can come in handy.

How Much Will It Cost to Hire a Handyperson?

You can expect to pay an average of $390 to hire a handyperson, but costs can range from $65 to $1,200 depending on the scope of the work. Typically, they will charge $60 to $125 per hour plus materials.

So if the cost to hire a handyperson is $90 per hour and they work all Saturday (nine to five) on projects for you, you can expect to pay $720 for the job plus materials. That's not a bad price to get rid of everything on that to-do list that's been hanging over your head for months.