Short answer: in the Boston area in 2026, a skilled, insured handyman charges $60 to $110 per hour, with most established pros landing between $85 and $100. Nearly everyone has a visit minimum — usually $75 to $200 — and some companies add a trip fee on top. Boston runs roughly 20% above the national average, like most things here.
But hourly rates only tell half the story, because most of the work people actually book is priced flat. Here's what common jobs really cost around Boston, and what we charge for the same work:
| Job | Boston-area range | Our price |
|---|---|---|
| Hourly rate (skilled, insured) | $60 – $110/hr | $100/hr |
| Visit minimum | $75 – $200 | 1-hr minimum ($100) |
| Trip / service-call fee | $0 – $75 | $0 in service area |
| TV mounting (up to 55") | $79 – $250 | from $99 |
| TV mounting (56"+ / brick / fireplace) | $150 – $400 | from $129 |
| Furniture assembly (per item) | $50 – $150 | from $79 |
| Drywall patch (paint-ready) | $120 – $300 | Free quote |
| Interior painting (per room) | $400 – $650 | Free quote |
| Flooring installation | varies widely | Free quote |
| Cabinet installation | varies widely | Free quote |
Why some jobs are flat-rate and others are quoted
Notice the table splits into two kinds of pricing. TV mounting and furniture assembly are flat-rate because the scope barely changes — a 55" TV is a 55" TV. Painting, drywall, flooring, and cabinets are the opposite: a "small patch" can mean a dinner-plate hole or three feet of water-damaged ceiling, and a "room" can be a 10×10 bedroom or a 20×18 living room with vaulted ceilings. A flat number for those is either padded to cover the worst case, or it's a lowball that turns into a fight once the real scope shows up. Neither is honest. So we look — in person or from a photo — and quote the actual job, free, before anything starts.
What moves the price up or down
- Minimums matter more than rates. A $75/hr handyman with a $150 minimum costs more for a 20-minute job than a $100/hr pro who bundles it into a bigger visit.
- Old housing stock. Boston-area homes — especially pre-war Victorians in towns like Melrose and Winchester — have plaster walls and settled framing that take more skill and time than new drywall construction.
- Materials. Expect to pay for materials on top of labor, sometimes with a 20–50% markup if the handyman supplies them. Buying your own paint or hardware saves money.
- Licensed-trade work is separate. Electrical, plumbing, and HVAC legally require licensed tradespeople in Massachusetts — a handyman quoting you for panel work is a red flag.
How to get the most for your money
- Bundle small jobs. The single best trick: save up a few tasks and book one visit — a TV mount, a sticky door, a couple of shelves. The 1-hour minimum barely covers one item, but a bundled visit gets you far more value per trip.
- Get the price before work starts. Any good pro will give you a clear number up front. If they won't, keep calling around.
- Check insurance. “Licensed & insured” should be verifiable on request. It protects your home, not just the handyman.
Want a real number for your list?
We're Boston Handyman Co. — owner-operated, based in Melrose, serving Boston and the North Shore. Flat rates for common jobs, $100/hr for custom work, free estimates, and no trip fee.
Related: TV Mounting Cost in Boston (2026) · Handyman in Melrose