Real numbers for common handyman jobs in Montgomery County. Know what to expect before you call so there are no surprises on either side.
The question I get most often before we even talk about the job is: what is this going to cost? It is a reasonable question. Most contractors either give you a vague range that tells you nothing or refuse to talk price until they are standing in your house. This page does something different.
These are honest ranges for common jobs in Montgomery County based on 10 years of doing this work here. They are not national averages from a website that has never been inside a Montgomery County home. Use them as a starting point. The actual number for your job depends on your specific situation, and I will give you a straight quote before anyone touches anything.
Property Renovators Handyman Services is licensed (MHIC #112963), insured, and bonded. We have completed over 5,700 jobs across Montgomery County since 2016.
If you have looked up average handyman costs online and then been surprised by actual quotes in Montgomery County, there is a reason. This is one of the higher cost-of-business counties in the country. Insurance rates are higher. Experienced tradespeople cost more per hour. Materials from local suppliers cost more. Traffic and travel time factor into scheduling efficiency in ways that flat-rural areas do not deal with.
A licensed, insured contractor who has been operating here for a decade is going to price at Montgomery County rates. The alternative is unlicensed labor that is cheaper upfront and more expensive when the work has to be redone by someone who can actually stand behind it.
These ranges reflect actual jobs completed in Montgomery County. They include labor. They do not include materials unless noted.
| Job | Typical Range (Labor) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Drywall Repair (small patch) | $150 - $300 | Texture match adds time and cost |
| Drywall Repair (larger section) | $350 - $650 | Water damage or multiple areas |
| Drain Cleaning | $150 - $350 | Varies by drain and access |
| Ceiling Fan Installation | $125 - $250 | Add $50-100 if box needs replacement |
| TV Mounting | $125 - $225 | Wire hiding or masonry adds cost |
| Toilet Replacement | $275 - $500 | Includes labor; toilet cost separate |
| Faucet Repair | $150 - $275 | Replacement parts additional |
| Faucet Replacement | $175 - $375 | Faucet cost separate |
| Exhaust Fan Replacement | $175 - $325 | New install with ductwork is higher |
| Smart Lock Installation | $100 - $175 | Lock cost separate |
| Interior Painting (one room) | $400 - $850 | Prep work, trim, and ceiling affect total |
| Door Repair or Adjustment | $100 - $250 | Sticky doors, hinges, frame issues |
| Recessed Lighting (per can) | $100 - $175 | Wiring and access affect cost per fixture |
| Tile Installation (per sq ft, labor) | $8 - $18 | Surface prep and pattern complexity vary |
| Grab Bar Installation (per bar) | $125 - $225 | Tile walls and blocking affect cost |
Every experienced handyman has had the same conversation: a homeowner calls for a straightforward repair and the job reveals something that needs to be addressed before the original work can be done correctly. A dripping faucet has a corroded shutoff valve behind the wall. A ceiling fan swap uncovers wiring that has not been touched since 1985 and is not safe to connect to a new load. A bathroom tile repair reveals wet cement board that has been molding for a year.
This is not a contractor making up work to bill more. It is a genuine condition you are better off knowing about than leaving hidden. When something like this comes up, I stop, show you what I found, and give you a number for the additional work before proceeding. You decide. Nothing gets added without your say.
The only way to avoid this entirely is to not open walls. But then you also do not know what is in there until something fails in a way you cannot ignore.
One of the most effective ways to reduce your per-repair cost is to batch several repairs into a single visit. There is a base cost to getting to any job: loading the van, driving across Montgomery County, and setting up. If three small jobs each require a separate visit, you pay that base three times. If they all get done in one visit, you pay it once and the per-job cost drops.
Keep a running list of small things around the house that are annoying but not emergencies. A squeaky hinge, a sticking drawer, a loose towel bar, a caulk line that has started pulling away from the tub. When you have a list of four or five things, call and we will knock through them in a single visit. It is the most cost-effective use of both our time.
The best way to get a straight number is to call (301) 395-3831 and describe the job clearly. Size of the drywall hole, which drain, how old the fan is, what the ceiling height is. The more specific you are, the more accurate the number I can give you before I even see it.
For larger jobs or anything with visible complications, I come out and look first. That initial conversation is free. The written quote that follows has a number on it, not a range, and that is what you pay if nothing unexpected comes up.
A small patch or hole repair typically runs $150 to $300. Larger sections, water damage, or matching a heavy texture finish can run $350 to $650. The time is in the finish work, not cutting the drywall out.
Standard drain cleaning runs $150 to $350 depending on which drain, how severe the clog is, and how accessible the cleanout is. Kitchen grease clogs take longer than a bathroom hair clog, and that difference shows in the price.
Yes. Every visit has a travel cost built into it. Three small repairs in one visit costs less total than three separate visits. Keep a list and call when you have a handful of things to knock out.
Montgomery County is a high cost-of-business area. Insurance, experienced labor, materials, and fuel all cost more here than the national average that shows up on home improvement websites. A legitimate licensed contractor with a decade of business here prices to stay in business, not to match a national median that has nothing to do with this market.
Yes. Maryland MHIC regulations require a written contract for home improvement work over $500. I give you a clear written quote before work starts on every job regardless of size. Call (301) 395-3831 to get started.
Scope found once the work begins. A corroded shutoff valve behind a faucet. Water damage inside a wall that was not visible from the surface. Outdated wiring that cannot safely support a new fixture. When this happens I stop, show you what I found, give you a new number, and let you decide before continuing.
Labor for a toilet replacement runs $275 to $500. That does not include the toilet itself. If the flange is damaged or the shutoff valve needs replacement, that gets added to the estimate before the work starts.
A standard bedroom or living room in Montgomery County typically runs $400 to $850 for walls and ceiling with quality paint. Prep work, trim, ceiling height, and dark existing colors all affect the time and final cost.
Call and describe the job. Jacob gives you a straight quote before anyone shows up. MHIC #112963. Licensed, insured, and bonded in Maryland.
Call (301) 395-3831