What do handymen charge per hour?

Rates vary by handyman and by job. Some charge by the hour with a minimum visit, and others price by the job. I price by the job: send photos and a short description and I'll quote before I start, so you know the cost up front.

Does a handyman need a license in California?

Not for small jobs. California requires a contractor's license when the total cost of a job, labor and materials together, is $1,000 or more, or when the work needs a building permit. Below that, an unlicensed handyman can legally do the work. I'm not a licensed contractor, so I stay under that limit and refer bigger or permit-required work to licensed professionals. You can check any contractor's license at the Contractors State License Board (cslb.ca.gov).

How much can a handyman legally charge in California?

There's no cap on an hourly rate. The limit is on the size of the job: an unlicensed handyman can't take a job where labor and materials together reach $1,000, and can't split one larger project into smaller jobs to stay under it. Bigger projects need a licensed contractor in the right trade.

What are red flags when hiring a handyman?

Asking for full payment up front, no written or clear quote, pressure to decide on the spot, a price far below everyone else's, vague answers about insurance, no photos or references from past jobs, and taking on work that clearly needs a permit or a licensed trade. A good handyman tells you what's outside the job as readily as what's inside it.

What is the most requested handyman service?

Drywall patching, TV mounting, furniture assembly, door and lock repairs, light fixture and ceiling fan swaps, gutter cleaning, caulking, and minor faucet or toilet repairs are the jobs I get asked for most. Many people bundle several into one visit.

What's the best way to find a good handyman?

Ask neighbors, check recent reviews from real customers, and ask any handyman three questions: are you insured, will you quote before starting, and what jobs do you turn down. Photos of past work and a clear explanation of what's included are good signs.

Can I bundle several small jobs into one visit?

Yes. A single visit for several small jobs is usually the best value. Send the whole list and photos, and I'll quote it as one visit. If the total would pass California's $1,000 limit, I'll tell you.

Do you bring your own tools and materials?

I bring my own tools. For specific items like a TV mount, faucet, or light fixture, you can supply them, or tell me what you want and I'll include the materials in the quote.

Handyman · Martinez, CA

Handyman Services in Martinez & Contra Costa County

I'm Bay Bilt, a local, insured handyman based in Martinez. I handle the long list of small repairs and installs around a home that don't need a licensed contractor but still need to be done right: patching drywall, mounting TVs, cleaning gutters, fixing doors, swapping fixtures, assembling furniture, and clearing a honey-do list in a single visit.

Get a Quote Call 925-257-2685

Insured local handymanOne person, one phone number

Based in MartinezServing about 35 miles around

Quoted before I startSend photos for a quote

What a handyman can do for you

Most homes have a short list of small problems that never rise to the level of a contractor call: a door that sticks, a hole in the wall, a TV still leaning against the wall, gutters full of leaves. Handling them together in one visit is usually cheaper and faster than booking each one separately.

Drywall Repair Drywall hole patching, crack repair and texture matching in Martinez and Contra … Door Repair & Installation Sticking doors, latches, locks, weatherstripping and pre-hung door installs in M… TV Mounting TV mounting on drywall, brick, tile and above fireplaces in Martinez and Contra … Furniture Assembly IKEA, Wayfair and Amazon furniture assembly in Martinez and Contra Costa County.… Fence & Gate Repair Fence board replacement, gate rehanging, latch and post repair in Martinez and C… Deck Repair Deck board replacement, railing repair and staining prep in Martinez and Contra … Fixture Installation Light fixture and ceiling fan swaps at existing boxes in Martinez and Contra Cos… Minor Plumbing Repairs Dripping faucets, running toilets, garbage disposals and shower heads in Martine… Pressure Washing Driveway, patio, deck and fence pressure washing in Martinez and Contra Costa Co… Gutter Cleaning Gutter cleaning, downspout flushing and small gutter repairs in Martinez, Concor… Caulking & Weatherproofing Window and bathroom caulking, door sweeps and weatherstripping in Martinez and C… Honey-Do List Knock out your whole list in one visit: hanging, patching, fixing, assembling an… Toilet Repair Running, leaking or weak-flushing toilet? Local Martinez handyman fixes flappers… Drain Unclogging Slow or clogged sink, tub or shower drain in Martinez? Handyman drain unclogging… Painting & Touch-Ups Wall touch-ups, accent walls, single rooms and trim painting in Martinez and Con… Screen & Sliding Door Repair Torn window screens, screen doors and sticky patio sliders repaired in Martinez,… Dryer Vent Cleaning Dryer taking too long to dry? Local Martinez handyman clears lint from the dryer… Holiday Light Installation Christmas and holiday light hanging in Martinez, Concord, Walnut Creek and the E… Tile & Grout Repair Cracked tile, crumbling grout and failed caulk in showers, tubs and backsplashes… Cabinet Repair & Hardware Sagging doors, broken hinges, sticky drawers and new pulls installed. Local Mart… Baseboard & Trim Carpentry Baseboard, door casing, crown and trim installation and repair by a local Martin… Shelves, Blinds & Curtain Rods Floating shelves, blinds, curtain rods, mirrors and closet shelving hung level a… Smart Locks, Doorbells & Thermostats Smart lock, video doorbell and thermostat installation in Martinez and Contra Co… Dry Rot & Wood Repair Rotted trim, fascia, window sills, door jambs and deck boards repaired in Martin… Grab Bars & Home Safety Grab bars, handrails and fall-prevention upgrades installed into studs for real …

How I work

01
Send the list and photos
Call or use the quote form. Tell me what needs doing and where. Photos let me quote accurately and bring the right materials.
02
I quote before I start
You get a price for the job. If it's bigger than a handyman job, I'll say so and point you to the right professional.
03
I do the work and clean up
One person, start to finish. I protect your floors, do the work, and clean up before I leave.

What a handyman can't do in California

I'm not a licensed contractor. California lets unlicensed handymen take jobs where labor and materials total less than $1,000 and no building permit is required. That covers most small repairs. It does not cover remodels, roofing, structural repairs, new wiring or panel work, main plumbing lines, or anything that needs a permit. For those, I'll tell you what I see and point you to a licensed contractor in the right trade. Bay Bilt is not a licensed contractor. Work is limited to jobs under $1,000 (labor and materials). Insured.

Handyman in your city

Martinez Pleasant Hill Concord Walnut Creek Lafayette Alamo Danville Benicia Clayton Pacheco Pittsburg Vallejo Antioch Pinole Hercules El Cerrito San Ramon

I'm based in Martinez and work out to about 35 miles. See the full list of service areas.

Frequently Asked Questions

: Rates vary by handyman and by job. Some charge by the hour with a minimum visit, and others price by the job. I price by the job: send photos and a short description and I'll quote before I start, so you know the cost up front.
: Not for small jobs. California requires a contractor's license when the total cost of a job, labor and materials together, is $1,000 or more, or when the work needs a building permit. Below that, an unlicensed handyman can legally do the work. I'm not a licensed contractor, so I stay under that limit and refer bigger or permit-required work to licensed professionals. You can check any contractor's license at the Contractors State License Board (cslb.ca.gov).
: There's no cap on an hourly rate. The limit is on the size of the job: an unlicensed handyman can't take a job where labor and materials together reach $1,000, and can't split one larger project into smaller jobs to stay under it. Bigger projects need a licensed contractor in the right trade.
: Asking for full payment up front, no written or clear quote, pressure to decide on the spot, a price far below everyone else's, vague answers about insurance, no photos or references from past jobs, and taking on work that clearly needs a permit or a licensed trade. A good handyman tells you what's outside the job as readily as what's inside it.
: Drywall patching, TV mounting, furniture assembly, door and lock repairs, light fixture and ceiling fan swaps, gutter cleaning, caulking, and minor faucet or toilet repairs are the jobs I get asked for most. Many people bundle several into one visit.
: Ask neighbors, check recent reviews from real customers, and ask any handyman three questions: are you insured, will you quote before starting, and what jobs do you turn down. Photos of past work and a clear explanation of what's included are good signs.
: Yes. A single visit for several small jobs is usually the best value. Send the whole list and photos, and I'll quote it as one visit. If the total would pass California's $1,000 limit, I'll tell you.
: I bring my own tools. For specific items like a TV mount, faucet, or light fixture, you can supply them, or tell me what you want and I'll include the materials in the quote.

Get on the schedule

Got a list of small jobs?

Send what needs doing and a photo or two. I'll quote before I start.

Get a quote Call 925-257-2685