"While you're here, could you also…" Every handyman knows that sentence. A one-hour job turns into a list of six small ones, and by the end of the visit you're not sure what to charge.
This handyman estimate template is built for exactly that: a list of small tasks in one visit. The Excel and Google Sheets versions add up the hours, apply your minimum charge when the list is short, add your trip charge and price materials with your markup.
Download the free handyman estimate template
No email required. In the Excel file, everything in blue is yours to fill in. Everything in black calculates on its own.
What's in this handyman estimate template
- Your rates: hourly rate, minimum charge in hours, trip charge and materials markup.
- A task list for up to 8 jobs, each with estimated hours and a line total.
- Billable hours with your minimum built in: if the tasks add up to 1 hour and your minimum is 2, the customer sees 2.
- Materials at cost plus markup: type what you paid; the customer price adds your markup. Your cost column doesn't print.
- Trip charge, tax, estimated total and a likely range.
- Notes for time estimates, licensed work and exclusions, plus a signature line.
How to price handyman jobs
Per hour
Simple and fair when you don't know how long things will take. Customers sometimes worry about the clock running, so give an estimate of the hours upfront.
Per task
A fixed price for common jobs ("mount a TV: $X"). Customers love knowing the price. You win when you're fast, and lose when a job goes wrong, so price in a buffer.
Use a minimum charge either way
Driving over, unloading tools and cleaning up takes time no matter how small the job. A minimum (often 1 to 2 hours) protects you from losing money on 20-minute jobs, and nudges customers to bundle tasks into one visit, which is better for both of you.
The template uses per-hour by default. For a per-task price, type the price in that line's rate cell and set its hours to 1.
How to write a handyman estimate (step by step)
- Walk through every task with the customer. Ask "anything else while I'm here?" at the start, not at the end.
- Estimate each task in hours. Include setup and cleanup. Round up rather than down.
- List the materials. Note whether you're supplying them or the customer is.
- Apply your minimum and trip charge. The template does it for you.
- Say what's not included. Especially work that needs a licensed trade in your area.
- Send it before you leave, or the same day. Most small jobs are decided quickly.
Handyman estimate example
A "honey-do list" visit (example prices only):
| # | Task | Est. hours | Rate | Line total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mount 65-inch TV on drywall (wall anchors) | 1.5 | $75.00 | $112.50 |
| 2 | Adjust and rehang sticking door | 1 | $75.00 | $75.00 |
| 3 | Remove and redo bathtub caulk | 1.5 | $75.00 | $112.50 |
| 4 | Replace kitchen faucet (customer-supplied) | 1 | $75.00 | $75.00 |
| 5 | Patch 3 small drywall holes | 1.5 | $75.00 | $112.50 |
| Labor: 6.5 hours | $487.50 | |||
| Trip charge | $35.00 | |||
| Materials (mount, caulk, patch kit, with 15% markup) | $89.70 | |||
| Estimated total | $612.20 |
If the customer only needed the door fixed (1 hour), the 2-hour minimum would apply: $150 plus the trip charge.
Know where your license stops
Rules on what a handyman can do without a specific license differ a lot by state and province: electrical, plumbing, gas and larger jobs often need a licensed trade, and some places limit the dollar value of jobs without a contractor's license. Check your local rules, keep that work off your estimate and refer it. It protects the customer and you. This is general information, not legal advice.
What to say to customers
When you send it:
Hi [name], here's the estimate for your list: [number] tasks, about [hours] hours, total [$amount] including materials. I can do it all in one visit on [day]. Want me to book it?
Follow-up after 2 days:
Hi [name], just checking on the repair list. I have [day] open this week. If anything else comes up before then, send it over and I'll add it to the same visit.
Write it faster with AI
Walk the house with the customer and record a voice note of every task. Turn it into text and paste it into an AI assistant (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini or Copilot) with this prompt:
Turn my notes into a clear handyman estimate for [customer name]: one line per task with estimated hours, a materials list (and who supplies each item), what's not included and when I can do it. Plain English, friendly tone. My notes: [paste]
Copy the tasks into the template so the hours, minimum and totals calculate. AI drafts, you decide.
More free estimate templates
- Plumbing estimate template: hourly rate, after-hours multiplier and parts markup.
- Painting estimate template: wall and ceiling areas room by room.
- HVAC estimate template, roofing estimate template and landscaping estimate template.
- Estimate template and quote template for any job.
Frequently asked questions
How much should a handyman charge per hour?
It depends on your region, skills and costs. Work out what you need to cover (insurance, vehicle, tools, time between jobs) and what local handymen charge, then set your rate. The template's $75 is only an example.
What's a typical handyman minimum charge?
Many handymen use a minimum of 1 to 2 hours, or a flat minimum fee. It covers travel and setup on very small jobs.
Should I charge for materials separately?
Yes. List materials on their own lines with a markup to cover buying and picking them up. If the customer supplies something, write "customer-supplied" so nobody is confused.
Should handyman estimates be free?
Most handymen give free estimates for a list of small jobs, often from photos. For bigger projects, some charge a visit fee and credit it if the customer books.
Can I use this handyman estimate template in Google Sheets?
Yes. Use the Google Sheets link above to make your own copy, or upload the Excel file to Google Drive and open it with Google Sheets. The formulas work in both.
Want to win more of the jobs you estimate?
This template comes from Close More Deals, book 2 of the AI for Small Business series. It shows you how to reply to new inquiries fast, turn a voice note into an estimate in minutes, follow up without being pushy and bring past customers back, with ready-to-copy messages and a Sales Tracker spreadsheet.
See the full kit · or start with the free 5 Quick Wins guide