At a glance
| Question | Short answer |
|---|---|
| Hourly rate | $50 to $125; Newark $50 to $100 |
| Minimum charge | $75 to $200, or 1 to 2 hours |
| Mount a TV | $100 to $300 |
| Patch drywall | $200 to $800 |
| License in NJ | Home improvement contractor registration. No small-job exemption |
| Electrical and plumbing | Not for pay. Those need a licensed electrician or master plumber |
| Written contract | Required for jobs over $500 |
| Check registration | Begins “13VH.” newjersey.mylicense.com/verification |
How Much Does a Handyman Cost Per Hour in NJ?
A handyman typically charges $50 to $125 an hour nationally. Independent handymen run $50 to $80 an hour and franchise companies $75 to $125. HomeGuide lists Newark at $50 to $100 an hour. Most have a minimum charge of $75 to $200 or a one- to two-hour minimum. The average handyman job costs about $390.
Hourly rates
| Type | Hourly rate | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Independent handyman | $50 to $80 | HomeGuide (2023) |
| Company or franchise | $75 to $125 | HomeGuide (2023) |
| National range | $60 to $125, plus materials | HomeAdvisor (June 2026) |
| Newark, NJ | $50 to $100 | HomeGuide (2023) |
| App-based taskers | Average $38; $70 in New York City | TaskRabbit (Oct 2026) |
What fees come on top?
| Charge | Typical amount |
|---|---|
| Minimum charge | $75 to $200, or 1 to 2 hours |
| Trip charge | $30 to $80 |
| Materials markup | 10% to 50% |
| Day rate | $320 to $600 |
| Emergency or same-day | $90 to $200 an hour |
What does a typical job cost?
HomeAdvisor puts the average handyman project at $390, with most between $165 and $615. HomeGuide sorts jobs by size: small $50 to $250, medium $250 to $500, large $500 to $1,500.
How do you get the most for the money?
- Make a list and book several small jobs in one visit
- Buy the materials yourself if you want to skip the markup, but ask first
- Ask whether the price is hourly or flat for each job
Sources for this answer
HomeGuide, Handyman prices; HomeAdvisor, Handyman cost; Fixr, Handyman cost; TaskRabbit, Handyman cost guide.
How Much Does a Handyman Charge to Hang a TV, Patch Drywall or Assemble Furniture?
Mounting a TV costs $100 to $300, assembling furniture $85 to $200, and repairing drywall $200 to $800. Hanging pictures runs $40 to $200, caulking a tub $150 to $300, cleaning gutters $100 to $225 and installing an interior door $225 to $825. These are national figures.
Common jobs
| Job | Typical cost (HomeGuide) |
|---|---|
| Hang pictures or art | $40 to $200 |
| Mount a TV | $100 to $300 |
| Install a curtain rod | $100 to $250 |
| Install shelves | $150 to $500 |
| Assemble furniture | $85 to $200 |
| Repair drywall | $200 to $800; a small hole $125 to $175 (Fixr) |
| Install an interior door | $225 to $825 |
| Repair a door frame | $75 to $220 |
| Caulk a tub or shower | $150 to $300 |
| Clean gutters | $100 to $225 |
| Pressure wash | $150 to $300 |
| Repair a fence or gate | $200 to $800 |
| Repair a deck or porch | $500 to $2,600 |
| Weatherstripping | $150 to $400 |
| Replace a door lock | $75 to $200 |
| Replace window screens | $15 to $50 each |
| Regrout tile | $250 to $1,000 |
| Childproofing | $200 to $700 |
What about ceiling fans, light fixtures, toilets and faucets?
Cost guides list handyman prices for these, but in New Jersey they are licensed electrical and plumbing work when done for pay. See what a handyman can and can't do.
A safety job worth adding to the list
The Consumer Product Safety Commission says anchoring dressers, bookcases and TVs to the wall prevents tip-over injuries and deaths. If you have small children, ask your handyman to anchor furniture while they're there.
Sources for this answer
HomeGuide, Handyman prices; Fixr, Handyman cost; HomeAdvisor, Handyman cost; CPSC, Anchor It.
Does a Handyman Need a License in NJ?
A handyman in New Jersey must be registered with the Division of Consumer Affairs as a home improvement contractor. There is no small-job exemption: the same registration covers a $200 repair and a $200,000 remodel. Registered contractors must carry $500,000 in liability insurance and show their registration number on ads, contracts and vehicles. Knowingly working unregistered is a fourth-degree crime.
What does NJ law say?
No contractor may offer or perform home improvements unless registered with the Division of Consumer Affairs (N.J.S.A. 56:8-138). Home improvement is defined broadly: remodeling, altering, painting, repairing, renovating and more.
Is there an exemption for small jobs?
No. The law's exemptions cover:
- Work on your own home, or your family's
- Work for a charity or nonprofit
- State-licensed professionals such as electricians and plumbers, working within their license
- Employees of a condo or homeowners association
NJ Consumer Affairs says part-time contractors and subcontractors must register too.
What must a registered handyman have?
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Registration number | Begins “13VH.” Shown on ads, contracts, business documents and commercial vehicles |
| Liability insurance | At least $500,000 per occurrence |
| Compliance bond | $10,000 for those doing contracts under $10,000, under a 2024 law |
| Written contract | Required for jobs over $500 |
Is NJ adding a handyman license?
A 2024 law creates a licensing exam for home improvement contractors, but it wasn't yet in effect in the mid-2026 sources we checked. The law exempts from that future license anyone earning no more than $1,500 per contract and $25,000 a year. They still have to register.
How do you check?
Search at newjersey.mylicense.com/verification or call NJ Consumer Affairs at 800-242-5846.
What Can a Handyman Legally Do in NJ?
A registered handyman in New Jersey can do general repairs and improvements: drywall, painting, carpentry, doors, flooring, trim, cabinets, gutters, decks, caulking, mounting and assembly. They cannot do work that requires its own state license: electrical wiring, plumbing, heating and air conditioning, tree removal, pesticide application, or rekeying locks and installing alarms.
What a handyman can do
- Drywall and plaster repair
- Interior and exterior painting
- Carpentry, trim and shelving
- Hanging doors and replacing windows in the same opening
- Flooring and tile repair
- Installing cabinets
- Gutters and downspouts
- Deck, porch and fence repair
- Caulking and weatherstripping
- Mounting TVs, shelves and curtain rods
- Assembling furniture
- Installing a new lockset or doorknob on a house door
- Installing battery-powered smoke alarms and plug-in CO alarms
What needs a separate NJ license
| Work | Who must do it |
|---|---|
| Wiring, outlets, switches, light fixtures, ceiling fans | Licensed electrical contractor |
| Toilets, faucets, water heaters, drain and supply piping | Licensed master plumber |
| Furnaces, boilers, air conditioners, mini splits | Licensed Master HVACR contractor |
| Tree pruning, removal, stump grinding | Business registered with the NJ Board of Tree Experts |
| Weed and pest spraying | NJ DEP licensed pesticide applicator |
| Rekeying locks, master keying, alarm systems | Licensed locksmith or alarm installer |
Can a handyman bring in licensed subcontractors?
Yes. Many handymen and general contractors sub out the electrical and plumbing to licensed trades. Ask who will do that part and for their license number.
What about the lock exception?
New Jersey's locksmith law excludes installing a prefabricated lockset and doorknob in a residence door. So a handyman can swap your lock, but rekeying is locksmith work.
Can a Handyman Do Electrical or Plumbing Work in NJ?
No, with narrow exceptions. In New Jersey, paid electrical work needs a licensed electrical contractor and paid plumbing needs a master plumber. A handyman can change light bulbs and fuses, plug in appliances and work on wiring under 10 volts. Replacing a light fixture, ceiling fan, outlet, toilet, faucet or water heater for pay is licensed work, even though some of those jobs need no permit.
Job by job
| Job | Can a handyman do it for pay in NJ? | Who should |
|---|---|---|
| Change a light bulb or fuse | Yes | |
| Replace an outlet or switch | No | Licensed electrical contractor |
| Replace a light fixture | No | Licensed electrical contractor |
| Install a ceiling fan | No | Licensed electrical contractor |
| Work on systems under 10 volts | Yes | |
| Replace a toilet | No | Master plumber |
| Replace a faucet | No | Master plumber |
| Install or replace a water heater | No | Master plumber |
| Install a dishwasher | The cabinet work, yes. The water and electrical connections are trade work | Plumber and electrician |
| Install a mini split | No | Master HVACR contractor and electrician |
Why “no permit” doesn't mean “anyone can do it”
New Jersey treats swapping a light fixture or faucet like for like as ordinary maintenance, so no permit is needed. That's a permit rule. The licensing laws are separate, and they have no handyman exemption.
What are the exceptions?
- Electrical: replacing lamps and fuses, connecting portable appliances to existing outlets, and work under 10 volts
- Homeowners: you may do electrical and plumbing work yourself in your own single-family home
What's the risk in hiring an unlicensed person?
Unlicensed practice carries penalties of up to $10,000 for a first violation. For you, the risk is practical: no license, no trade insurance behind the work, and a problem if a fire or leak is traced to it.
For licensed trades, see the AhTown guides to hiring an electrician and hiring a plumber.
Handyman vs. Contractor: Which Do You Need?
Hire a handyman for small repairs and a list of odd jobs that take a few hours to a couple of days. Hire a general contractor for projects that need permits, several trades or weeks of work, like a kitchen remodel or an addition. In New Jersey both hold the same home improvement contractor registration. The state has no separate handyman category and no dollar limit on handyman jobs.
Which fits your job?
| Job | Better fit |
|---|---|
| Patch drywall, fix a sticking door, mount a TV | Handyman |
| A list of ten small repairs | Handyman |
| Replace a few deck boards | Handyman |
| Paint a room | Handyman or painter |
| Remodel a bathroom | General contractor |
| Build a deck or addition | General contractor |
| Anything involving wiring, plumbing or HVAC | The licensed trade, or a contractor who hires them |
How is NJ different from other states?
Many states cap what a handyman can do without a contractor's license, at about $1,000 in California, Arizona and Virginia, for example. Pennsylvania requires registration above $5,000 a year. New Jersey has no cap. One registration covers every size of job, which makes checking that registration your main protection.
What does a general contractor add?
- Pulls permits and schedules inspections
- Hires and coordinates licensed electricians, plumbers and HVAC contractors
- Manages a schedule across trades
- Carries the larger bond NJ requires for bigger contracts
What should you ask either one?
- Your NJ registration number?
- Have you done this exact job before?
- Does it need a permit? See handyman jobs and permits
- Who does any electrical or plumbing?
Sources for this answer
N.J.S.A. 56:8-138 and 56:8-140; Next Insurance, Handyman license requirements by state; NJ Consumer Affairs, Changes to the law.
Which Handyman Jobs Need a Permit in NJ?
Most don't. New Jersey lists painting, wallpaper, flooring, trim, cabinets, gutters, replacing a door or window in the same opening, small drywall repairs and repairing parts of a deck as ordinary maintenance with no permit. Building a new deck, changing structure, adding electrical circuits or moving plumbing does need one.
No permit needed (ordinary maintenance)
Under N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.7, in a one- or two-family house:
- Exterior and interior painting, and wallpaper
- Drywall and plaster repair covering less than 25% of a wall area
- Replacing a window or door, including a garage door, in the same opening without changing its size or framing
- Interior trim, flooring and screens
- Installing or replacing cabinets
- Gutters and downspouts
- Roof covering and siding repair or replacement
- Repairing or replacing any part of a deck, porch or stoop that doesn't support a roof
- Installing battery-powered smoke alarms and battery or plug-in CO alarms
Permit needed
| Job | Permit? |
|---|---|
| Building a new deck | Yes |
| Structural changes, such as removing a load-bearing wall | Yes |
| New electrical circuits or outlets | Yes |
| Moving or adding plumbing | Yes |
| Replacing a water heater | Yes. It's minor work that can start after notifying the town |
What should you ask?
“Does this need a permit in my town?” A good handyman knows the answer. If the job needs one, NJ rules bar a contractor from starting until it's issued.
Sources for this answer
N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.7 and 5:23-2.17A; N.J.A.C. 13:45A-16.2.
Do You Need a Contract With a Handyman, and How Much Should You Pay Up Front?
In New Jersey, any home improvement job over $500 requires a written contract signed by both sides, and you have three business days to cancel. For smaller jobs, a written price and scope by text or email is enough. NJ consumer officials suggest paying no more than one-third up front. The FTC says never to pay the full amount in advance, and to avoid cash-only deals.
What must a NJ contract include?
For jobs over $500 (N.J.S.A. 56:8-151):
- The contractor's legal name, business address and registration number
- A copy of their liability insurance certificate and the insurer's phone number
- The total price, including any finance charges
- A notice of your right to cancel
Can you cancel?
Yes. You can cancel until midnight of the third business day after you receive a copy of the contract, by certified or registered mail or by hand. The contractor must refund your money within 30 days.
What about jobs under $500?
The written-contract rule doesn't apply, though the handyman still has to be registered. Get the scope and the price in writing anyway. A text message that says “replace two interior doors, $450 including materials” settles most arguments.
How much should you pay up front?
| Guidance | Source |
|---|---|
| No more than one-third before, one-third midway, one-third at completion | NJ Attorney General and Consumer Affairs |
| Don't pay the full amount up front | FTC |
| Be wary of cash-only contractors | FTC |
For a two-hour job, paying on completion is normal. Deposits make sense when the handyman has to buy materials.
Sources for this answer
N.J.S.A. 56:8-151; NJ Attorney General, Contractor payment guidance; FTC, Avoiding home improvement scams.
Should a Handyman Be Insured in NJ?
Yes. New Jersey requires every registered home improvement contractor, including a handyman, to carry at least $500,000 per occurrence in commercial general liability insurance. Any handyman with employees must also carry workers' compensation. A solo handyman isn't required to cover himself. Ask for the insurance certificate before work starts.
What insurance does NJ require?
| Coverage | Required? |
|---|---|
| General liability, $500,000 per occurrence | Yes, for registration |
| Workers' compensation | Yes, if they have employees |
| Workers' comp on a sole proprietor himself | No |
| Compliance bond | Yes, $10,000 and up, under a 2024 law |
What does liability insurance cover?
Damage the handyman causes to your home: a pipe nicked while hanging a shelf, a ladder through a window. It doesn't cover the handyman's own injuries.
What should you ask for?
- A certificate of insurance showing current general liability coverage
- Whether helpers on the job are employees covered by workers' comp
- For jobs over $500, the insurance certificate is supposed to come with the contract
NJ Consumer Affairs suggests calling the insurer to confirm the policy is active.
What are the penalties for a business with no workers' comp?
New Jersey treats failing to carry required workers' compensation as a disorderly persons offense, and a fourth-degree crime if willful.
Sources for this answer
N.J.S.A. 56:8-142 and 56:8-151; NJ Consumer Affairs, HIC FAQ; NJ Department of Labor, Workers' compensation requirements; NJ DCA, Avoiding fraud tip sheet.
TaskRabbit, Franchises or a Local Handyman: What's the Difference?
App-based taskers set their own hourly rates, averaging $38 an hour on TaskRabbit and about $70 in New York City. Franchises like Mr. Handyman and Ace Handyman Services charge more, often selling time in half-day and full-day blocks. Independent local handymen fall in between at $50 to $80 an hour. In New Jersey, whoever does home improvement work must be registered, however you found them.
How each one prices
| Option | How it charges |
|---|---|
| App-based tasker (TaskRabbit) | Hourly, set by the tasker. Average $38; about $70 in NYC. One- to two-hour minimums are common |
| Franchise (Mr. Handyman, Ace Handyman Services) | Company rates, typically $75 to $125 an hour. Ace sells half-day (4 hour) and full-day (8 hour) blocks |
| Independent local handyman | $50 to $80 an hour, often with a minimum charge |
Does NJ registration apply to app workers?
The law makes no exception for apps. Anyone in the business of making or selling home improvements in New Jersey must be registered. Ask for the registration number, however you booked.
What are the trade-offs?
- Apps: fast and cheap for simple tasks like assembly and mounting. You do the vetting
- Franchises: higher price, with company insurance and a process for complaints. Each location is independently owned
- Local independents: a relationship. The same person learns your house
What should you check with any of them?
- NJ registration number (begins “13VH”)
- Liability insurance
- That they won't do electrical or plumbing they aren't licensed for. See what a handyman can do
Sources for this answer
TaskRabbit, Handyman cost guide; HomeGuide, Handyman prices; Mr. Handyman, FAQ; Ace Handyman Services, Packages; N.J.S.A. 56:8-138.
Hiring a Handyman for an Older NJ Home: The Lead Paint Rule
If your home was built before 1978, a handyman paid to disturb more than 6 square feet of paint per room inside, or 20 square feet outside, must be certified under the EPA's lead-safe renovation rule. That includes sole proprietors. Sanding, scraping, cutting into painted walls and replacing windows all count. Small patch jobs under those limits are exempt.
When does the rule apply?
| Situation | Lead-safe certification required? |
|---|---|
| Home built 1978 or later | No |
| Pre-1978 home, disturbing 6 sq ft or less of paint per room | No |
| Pre-1978 home, disturbing more than 6 sq ft per room inside | Yes |
| Pre-1978 home, more than 20 sq ft outside | Yes |
| Replacing windows in a pre-1978 home | Yes, always |
What handyman jobs can trigger it?
- Sanding or scraping walls, trim or doors before painting
- Cutting openings in painted plaster or drywall
- Replacing windows or painted doors and frames
- Demolishing a painted wall or built-in
Why does it matter?
Lead dust from old paint is most dangerous to young children and pregnant women. The rule requires containing the work area and cleaning up thoroughly, not skipping the job.
What should you ask?
“My house was built before 1978. Are you an EPA Lead-Safe Certified Firm?” The EPA publishes a locator for certified firms.
Sources for this answer
EPA, RRP program for contractors and Lead RRP program; 40 CFR 745.83.
What Should a Handyman Fix Before You List Your House?
The small things a buyer touches or an inspector writes up: holes in walls, stained caulk and cracked grout, sticking doors, closet doors off their tracks, loose hinges and handles, torn screens, a dented mailbox and faded house numbers. Bundle them into one or two visits. In New Jersey, a handyman must be registered as a home improvement contractor, and can't do paid electrical or plumbing work.
A pre-listing punch list
| Fix | Typical cost (HomeGuide) |
|---|---|
| Patch holes from nails, anchors and the TV mount | Small hole $125 to $175 (Fixr); drywall repair $200 to $800 |
| Re-caulk a tub or shower | $150 to $300 |
| Rehang sticking doors, adjust closet doors, tighten hinges | Hourly; $50 to $80 an hour for a local handyman |
| Swap cabinet pulls and door handles | Hourly |
| Replace house numbers and the mailbox | Hourly |
| Repair window screens and weatherstripping | Weatherstripping $150 to $400 |
| Clean gutters | $100 to $225 |
| Pressure wash the siding, walk or deck | $150 to $300 |
| Fix a fence board or gate | $200 to $800 |
| Repair deck or porch boards | $500 to $2,600 |
How do you get the most from one visit?
Walk the house with a notebook, room by room, and write down everything that sticks, squeaks, drips or is cracked. Send the list and photos ahead. A good handyman can tell you which items are a few minutes and which need a specialist.
What can't a handyman do?
- Replace a light fixture, outlet or switch for pay. That's licensed electrical work
- Replace a faucet or toilet for pay. That's licensed plumbing work
- Sand or scrape more than small areas of paint in a pre-1978 home without EPA lead-safe certification
Check before you hire
Ask for the NJ home improvement contractor registration number. Registered contractors carry liability insurance, and the same registration covers small jobs and large ones.
More on getting ready to sell
See The AhTown Guide to Getting Your New Jersey Home Ready to Sell.
Sources for this answer
HomeGuide, Handyman prices; Fixr, Handyman cost; N.J.S.A. 56:8-138, 45:5A-18; N.J.A.C. 13:32-1.4; EPA, Lead RRP program.
How to Hire a Handyman in New Jersey: Questions to Ask
Ask for the NJ home improvement registration number, which begins “13VH,” and proof of liability insurance. Get the price and scope in writing, and a signed contract for anything over $500. Confirm that any electrical or plumbing on your list will be done by a licensed trade. Pay on completion for small jobs, and never in cash up front.
Eight questions to ask
- What's your NJ registration number?
- Can you send your certificate of liability insurance?
- Is the price hourly or flat? Is there a minimum or a trip charge?
- Do you mark up materials, or can I buy them?
- Have you done this exact job before?
- Which items on my list need a licensed electrician or plumber, and who do you use?
- Does any of this need a permit?
- My house was built before 1978. Are you lead-safe certified?
How to prepare for the visit
- Write the full list, with photos
- Group jobs by room
- Buy special-order items, like a specific door or fixture, ahead of time
- Clear the work areas
A clear list lets a handyman quote a flat price and bring the right materials on the first trip.
Red flags
From the FTC:
- They knock on your door saying they're “in the area”
- They push you to decide immediately
- They want full payment up front, or cash only
- They ask you to pull the permit
Also: no registration number, or a willingness to rewire or replumb anything you ask.
Where do you find one?
AhTown features one company per trade per ZIP code in New Jersey. Handyman listings are opening soon. Featured Pros pay for placement. AhTown does not endorse, verify or guarantee any provider, so run the registration check above for anyone you hire. See who's featured in your ZIP.
Sources for this answer
FTC, Avoiding home improvement scams; N.J.S.A. 56:8-138 and 56:8-151; NJ Consumer Affairs, HIC FAQ; EPA, RRP program for contractors.
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