Questions New Yorkers Actually Ask
Straight answers on pricing, booking, building rules, and what I will and won't do — from the guy who actually shows up.
Updated
If you’re hunting for a handyman FAQ for NYC, here it is — every question I actually get asked, answered straight. Prices, building rules, Sundays, what I won’t touch. If your question isn’t below, just ask me directly — I answer myself, usually within the hour.
Want numbers first? Every flat rate is published on the pricing page, from a $90 IKEA dresser to a $160 TV mount on brick. Need it done today? Start with the same-day page.
Letters to the desk — answered
How much does a handyman visit cost in NYC?
My minimum visit is $90, and hourly work runs $75–95/hour. Most jobs get a flat quote from photos before I show up, so you know the number in advance — no clock-watching.
Are materials included in the price?
No — materials are extra. I'll tell you exactly what to buy, or I can pick it up on the way and add the receipt to your invoice. No markup games.
When do I pay?
After the work is done and you've looked it over. Zelle, Venmo, card, or cash. No deposits for standard jobs.
How does booking work?
Text or email me photos of the job. I reply with a flat price and available time slots — usually within an hour. Pick a slot, done. Full details on the pricing page.
Do you do same-day visits?
Often, yes — especially in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and western Queens if you reach out before noon. Check the same-day page for how it works.
Do you work evenings and Sundays?
Yes. Evening slots run until 10 pm, and I work Sundays — which most NYC handymen don't. If your building restricts noisy work to weekdays, I'll work around that.
What's your cancellation policy?
Cancel or reschedule at least 4 hours before the appointment, no charge. Later than that and the $90 minimum applies, because that slot could have gone to someone else.
My building has strict rules about outside workers. Can you handle that?
Tell me your building's rules when you book — work hours, service elevator, doorman check-in — and I'll plan the visit around them. If your management office needs anything from me before the visit, forward their requirements and I'll tell you straight whether I can meet them.
Do you deal with service elevators and building work hours?
All the time. Tell me your building's rules — service elevator reservation, work hours, doorman check-in — and I'll plan around them. Prewar co-ops, walk-ups, glass towers, whatever.
What jobs won't you take?
Anything with gas, structural work, and new plumbing or electrical lines — those need licensed trades, and I'll say so upfront. I handle repairs, replacements, and installs on existing fixtures.
Do you clean up after the job?
Yes, always — it's included, not an add-on. Dust vacuumed, packaging broken down and hauled to your trash room or curb. You shouldn't be able to tell I was there, except the thing works now.
Is your work guaranteed?
Yes — 30 days on labor. If something I installed or repaired fails within 30 days, I come back and fix it free.
Are you renter-friendly? I can't drill into my walls.
Very. I'll tell you honestly what can be done damage-free — heavy-duty adhesive systems, tension mounts, freestanding options — and what genuinely needs anchors. And I patch holes when you move out.
Am I talking to a dispatcher or the actual handyman?
Me, the guy holding the drill. I answer every message myself, quote the job myself, and do the work myself. No call center, no random subcontractor at your door.
Are you licensed?
I don't hold NYC's Home Improvement Contractor license — I keep to small-job scope, I explain exactly where the legal lines sit in my licensing guide, and anything that needs a licensed plumber or electrician gets referred out.
This site looks new. How do I know you're any good?
Fair question — the site is new. That's exactly why my prices are published, quotes come before the visit, payment comes after the work, and labor carries a 30-day guarantee. All the risk is on me, not you.