The small jobs you keep putting off.
Most homeowners have a list: a door that sticks, a shelf that never got hung, three things in the basement, a bathroom fan that rattles. Individually none of them justify a call. Together they're half a day of work.
Tell IzDon your list and we connect you with local handypeople who take on multi-item visits — that's usually cheaper than booking four separate trades.
DIY or pro? Handyman work overlaps heavily with DIY. The right question isn't 'can I' but 'is my Saturday worth more than the labour' — and whether the job crosses into a licensed trade.
What this covers
Pick the closest match and we'll start your request with it filled in.
What usually goes wrong
The handyman issues GTA homeowners ask about most — and what they typically mean.
Doors that stick, drag or won't latch
Settling, loose hinges or a swollen slab. Usually an hour with a plane and shims.
Drywall holes, cracks and popped nails
Patch, sand, prime, paint. Cracks that keep returning may be structural movement.
TVs, shelves and mirrors that need proper anchoring
Stud location and the right anchor for the wall type — plaster and lath behave differently.
Caulking and grout failing in the bathroom
Cheap to fix, expensive to ignore — this is how water gets into the subfloor.
Bathroom exhaust fan that's loud or useless
Often venting into the attic instead of outside, which causes mould.
Squeaky floors and loose stair treads
Screws from below where accessible, or a face-screw and plug from above.
Weatherstripping and drafts
One of the best returns per dollar on an older GTA home.
What handyman costs in the GTA
Typical Greater Toronto Area handyman pricing in 2026. Most charge an hourly rate with a minimum, so batching jobs into one visit saves money.
| Job | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hourly rate | $60 – $110 / hr | Usually a 1–2 hour minimum |
| Half-day visit (up to 4 hrs) | $250 – $450 | Best value for a punch list |
| Full-day visit | $450 – $850 | Materials extra |
| TV mounting | $120 – $300 | More for in-wall cable routing |
| Drywall patch and paint | $150 – $400 | Per area, colour match dependent |
| Interior door install | $200 – $450 | Pre-hung is faster than slab |
| Furniture / flat-pack assembly | $80 – $250 | Per item |
| Bathroom fan replacement | $250 – $600 | More if ducting must be added |
| Seasonal / maintenance visit | $200 – $500 | Gutters, caulking, weatherstripping |
Estimate ranges for the Greater Toronto Area, not quotes. Actual pricing depends on your home, access and scope — always get it in writing.
What moves the price
- Minimum charges — a single 20-minute task still bills the minimum, so bundle.
- Materials — supply your own or expect a markup.
- Access and height — anything requiring ladders, scaffolding or a lift costs more.
- Disposal — old doors, fixtures and debris may add a dump fee.
- Condo buildings — elevator bookings and certificate-of-insurance requirements add time.
Want a real number for your handyman job? Tell us what you need and local pros will quote it.
Get It DonePermits, licences & Ontario rules
A handyman is not a licensed trade in Ontario. There's no licence to check — which makes insurance and scope boundaries the things that matter.
What a handyman cannot legally do
Electrical work for hire (ESA-licensed contractors only), gas work (TSSA-certified only), and plumbing that alters the system rather than repairing a fixture.
Insurance matters more than credentials here
Ask for proof of general liability coverage and, if they have employees, a WSIB clearance certificate. An uninsured worker injured in your home can become your liability.
When the job needs a permit
Structural changes, removing walls, new windows or doors in new openings, decks over a certain height, and finishing a basement all need a municipal building permit regardless of who does the work.
Written scope beats a handshake
Small jobs go wrong the same way big ones do. A short written list with a price per item avoids the end-of-day surprise.
Before you hire: a quick checklist
- Ask for the business name, address and a phone number that isn't just a cell.
- Confirm general liability insurance and a valid WSIB clearance certificate before work starts.
- Get the scope, materials, timeline and total price in writing — not a number over the phone.
- Be cautious with large upfront deposits. In Ontario a deposit of roughly 10–30% is normal; full payment up front is not.
- Ask who is actually doing the work — the person quoting, an employee, or a subcontractor.
- Hold back final payment until the work passes any required inspection and you've seen it finished.
This is the same bar we use when we look at who to send your request to — read The IzDon Standard.
Handyman near you
Handyman guides & how-tos
Want to try it yourself first? Start here — and hand it over when the job gets bigger.
Handyman FAQs
How much does a handyman charge per hour in Toronto?
Generally $60–$110 per hour in the GTA, with a one- or two-hour minimum. Half-day and full-day rates are usually better value if you have several tasks.
Do handymen need a licence in Ontario?
There's no provincial handyman licence. However, electrical work requires an ESA-licensed contractor, gas work requires TSSA certification, and plumbing alterations require a licensed plumber — so scope, insurance and WSIB coverage are what you should verify.
What jobs should I not give a handyman?
New circuits or panel work, gas appliance connections, structural changes, roof replacement, and anything that requires a permit and inspection. Those belong to the licensed trade.
Is it cheaper to bundle small jobs?
Yes, significantly. Travel time and minimum charges dominate small visits, so a list of eight tasks in one half-day visit typically costs far less than eight separate call-outs.
Should I buy materials myself?
It can save the markup, but only if you buy exactly the right thing. For anything with sizing or compatibility involved, let the handyman spec it.
One Request. IzDon.
Submit once instead of calling contractor after contractor. We aim to connect you with up to 3–5 relevant local service providers.
Get It Done