Expect to pay anywhere from $50 to $195 an hour for handyman work in Fort Worth this year. That’s a big range. The gap comes down to who you hire.
A solo guy off Craigslist with a pickup truck and a drill? Maybe $50 to $80 an hour. A local professional outfit that carries insurance, sends trained technicians, and actually answers the phone when you call? Closer to $125 to $175. One of the big national franchises with the branded vans and uniforms? $175 to $195, sometimes more.
We put this guide together because “handyman cost Fort Worth” gets searched thousands of times a month, and most of the answers online are either outdated or so generic they could apply to any city in America. Fort Worth isn’t “any city.” We’ve got our own labor market, our own cost of living, and our own mix of providers. So here’s what you’ll actually pay in 2026, broken down by provider type, job type, and the stuff that makes your bill go up or down.
What Fort Worth Handymen Actually Charge Right Now
Here’s the real breakdown, pulled from published rates and direct quotes from local companies.
| Provider Type | Low End | Mid-Range | High End |
|---|---|---|---|
| Independent / Solo Handyman | $50/hr | $65/hr | $80/hr |
| Local Professional Company | $125/hr | $155/hr | $175/hr |
| National Franchise | $150/hr | $175/hr | $195/hr |
Materials aren’t included in any of those numbers. Neither are trip fees, permit costs, or the markup if your handyman picks up supplies at Home Depot on the way over.
Also worth knowing: almost every professional company in Fort Worth requires a two-hour minimum. So even if your job takes 20 minutes, you’re paying for two full hours. That’s industry standard. Nobody’s going to drive across Tarrant County, park, unload tools, and fix one loose hinge for $62.50.
The Three Types of Handyman Providers (and What You’re Really Paying For)
Price tells you something, but it doesn’t tell you everything. A $50/hour handyman and a $175/hour handyman aren’t selling the same product. Here’s the honest difference.
The Independent Guy: $50 to $80/hr
This is a self-employed contractor working out of his truck. Low overhead. No office staff. No branded anything. He keeps costs down because he doesn’t carry the same expenses that a company does.
That can work out great. Or it can go sideways fast.
The risk? Plenty of independents don’t carry liability insurance. Some do, but not all. If an uninsured handyman puts a drill through your water pipe or falls off a ladder on your property, guess who’s dealing with those costs. You.
The upside? You’re getting a tradesperson directly. No middleman. No franchise fee baked into the hourly rate. For simple, low-risk jobs like assembling furniture, mounting a TV, or replacing cabinet pulls, this tier works fine for most homeowners.
The Local Company: $125 to $175/hr
The Smart Fix Handyman is a good example of what a local professional operation looks like in Fort Worth. They charge $125/hour for straightforward jobs, $155 for moderately involved work, and $175 for the harder stuff. That tiered model is actually pretty transparent compared to companies that just quote one flat hourly rate and leave you wondering which jobs qualify for the “premium” bracket.
What are you getting for the extra cost over an independent? Insurance. Background-checked technicians. A 12-month satisfaction guarantee. Seven-day-a-week scheduling. And someone who picks up the phone when you call, which, if you’ve ever tried booking handyman work in the DFW area, you know is rarer than it should be.
This tier is where most Fort Worth homeowners land. The rates are 40% to 50% lower than the franchises, and you’re still getting a legitimate, insured operation.
The National Franchise: $150 to $195/hr
Mr. Handyman of Fort Worth runs $175 to $195 per hour. Ace Handyman Services bills on a time-plus-materials basis (they don’t publish a flat hourly number, which makes comparison tricky).
You’re paying premium rates here. The tradeoff is corporate-level accountability. Branded vans. Uniformed techs. Standardized training programs. Mr. Handyman technicians average over 10 years in repair trades. Ace has a one-year guarantee and BBB accreditation. If something goes wrong, there’s a corporate entity behind the local franchise.
But most people don’t realize something about franchise pricing. A chunk of that hourly rate covers franchise royalties, marketing fees, and corporate overhead. The tech doing the actual work in your kitchen might be earning $23 to $30 an hour. The rest goes to the system. That’s not a knock against them. That’s how franchising works across every industry. Just know what you’re paying for.
Real Job Costs: What Fort Worth Homeowners Are Actually Spending
Hourly rates are useful, but most people care about the total bill. Here’s what common handyman jobs end up costing in the Fort Worth area when you add up labor and basic materials.
| Job | Total Cost Estimate | How Long It Takes |
|---|---|---|
| Small drywall patch | $125 – $250 | 1 – 2 hours |
| Large drywall repair with texture matching | $250 – $500 | 2 – 4 hours |
| Interior door installation (pre-hung) | $200 – $450 | 1.5 – 3 hours |
| Faucet replacement | $150 – $350 | 1 – 2 hours |
| Ceiling fan install | $175 – $400 | 1 – 2.5 hours |
| TV wall mount | $125 – $275 | 1 – 2 hours |
| Large furniture assembly | $150 – $350 | 1.5 – 3 hours |
| Fence section repair | $200 – $500 | 2 – 4 hours |
| Tile repair or replacement | $250 – $600 | 2 – 5 hours |
| Single room paint job | $300 – $800 | 3 – 6 hours |
| Doggy door installation | $150 – $400 | 1 – 3 hours |
| Weather stripping swap | $100 – $200 | Under 1.5 hours |
| Shelf or shelving install | $125 – $300 | 1 – 2 hours |
| Toilet installation | $200 – $450 | 1.5 – 3 hours |
| Shed assembly | $300 – $700 | Half day |
Heads up: these assume a professional, insured company. Go with an independent and you could shave 30% to 40% off the labor portion. Just verify insurance first.
Why Fort Worth Rates Run Higher Than the National Average
If you’re comparing to national pricing data, Fort Worth sits 10% to 20% above the numbers you’ll find on sites like HomeGuide or Thumbtack. There are real reasons for that.
| Category | Fort Worth | National Average |
|---|---|---|
| Independent handyman | $50 – $80/hr | $45 – $65/hr |
| Professional company | $125 – $175/hr | $100 – $150/hr |
| National franchise | $150 – $195/hr | $125 – $175/hr |
Fort Worth crossed the one million population mark in 2024. It’s the 11th-largest city in the country now. And it’s still growing. All those new residents need home repairs. That demand pushes labor rates up. Insurance costs are climbing in Texas too, especially commercial liability policies. Fuel prices in the DFW metro have stayed stubbornly above the national average all year. And housing prices across Tarrant County mean the homes these handymen are working on tend to be newer, bigger, and more complex than the national median.
Put simply: you’re paying Fort Worth prices for Fort Worth work. That’s not a rip-off. That’s the local market.
Five Things That Make Your Bill Go Up (Or Down)
Two homeowners in the same neighborhood can call the same handyman for the same type of job and get quotes that are $200 apart. Here’s why.
Job difficulty
Patching a nail hole is not the same as matching knockdown texture on a water-damaged ceiling. The Smart Fix Handyman prices this directly into their three-tier system. Their $125 rate covers basic tasks. $155 is for moderately skilled work. $175 is for jobs that need a technician with years of specialized experience. Most companies in Fort Worth handle this less transparently. They’ll just quote you a rate and you won’t know until the bill arrives whether your job counted as “basic” or “advanced.”
Materials
If your handyman needs to swing by the hardware store, that’s costing you. Some companies charge a flat trip fee of $30 to $80. Others mark up the materials 20% to 50%. Either way, it adds up. Want to save? Buy your own supplies before the appointment. Just make absolutely sure you’re getting the right thing. Wrong-size faucet? Wrong-thickness drywall? Now you’ve wasted the handyman’s time and yours.
Urgency
Need someone today? That’ll be extra. Same-day and emergency calls in Fort Worth often tack on $25 to $75 above the standard hourly rate. Weekend and evening availability varies wildly by company. The Smart Fix Handyman books appointments seven days a week. Several franchise operations are Monday-through-Friday only.
Travel distance
If your house is out in one of the newer developments on the far edges of Fort Worth, where the roads aren’t even on Google Maps yet, some companies will charge a mileage fee. Usually $0.30 to $0.60 per mile past their normal service radius, or a flat $10 to $50 fee. Ask when you book.
Number of jobs per visit
This one actually works in your favor. Since you’re already paying a two-hour minimum, you might as well get two hours of work done. Stack up your to-do list. Fix the leaky faucet, mount the towel bar, tighten the deck railing, and patch that spot in the hallway where you accidentally punched through the drywall moving the couch. One visit. One bill. Way cheaper per task than booking four separate appointments.
Provider Comparison: Who to Call in Fort Worth
Three companies that consistently show up in Fort Worth handyman searches, with enough reviews and track record to evaluate properly.
| Company | Rate | What They’re Known For | Best If You Want… |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Smart Fix Handyman | $125 – $175/hr | Local ownership, 7-day scheduling, 12-month guarantee | Mid-range pricing with local accountability |
| Mr. Handyman of Fort Worth | $175 – $195/hr | National franchise, 10+ yr average tech experience | A big brand name and corporate backing |
| Ace Handyman Services | Time + materials | BBB accredited, 1-year guarantee, multi-trade skills | Complex multi-trade projects |
The Smart Fix Handyman
Locally owned. Over 300 five-star Google reviews in the DFW area. They do everything from basic home repairs and drywall work to bathroom remodels and commercial maintenance jobs.
Two things stood out when researching this company. First, the tiered pricing. $125, $155, or $175 per hour based on how hard the work actually is. That structure is more honest than a flat $150 rate where you have no idea what qualifies as “basic” versus “complex.” Second, the 12-month guarantee. If something they fixed breaks or doesn’t hold up within a year, they come back and handle it at no charge. They also operate seven days a week, which is genuinely unusual in this market.
- Phone: (817) 697-0199
- Website: thesmartfixhandyman.com
- Coverage: Fort Worth, Dallas, Arlington, Plano, Irving, and surrounding areas
Mr. Handyman of Fort Worth
Part of the Neighborly family of home service brands. Been around since 1996 nationally. The Fort Worth location sends technicians in uniform, in branded vans, following standardized procedures. Their Neighborly Done Right Promise means if the work isn’t right, they’ll fix it by the next business day at no extra cost. BBB accredited as of May 2025.
The downside is the price. At $175 to $195 per hour, a two-hour minimum puts your floor at $350 to $390 before a single screw gets turned. For some homeowners, the brand trust is worth that premium. For others, it’s hard to justify when a local company does comparable work for $50 to $70 less per hour.
- Website: mrhandyman.com/fort-worth
Ace Handyman Services Fort Worth SW
Operating in Tarrant County since 2011. They don’t publish a standard hourly rate. Instead, they bill time-plus-materials, which they describe as the “fairest” way to charge because you only pay for actual work done. They’ve won “Best of” awards from HomeAdvisor and Living Magazine, and their BBB rating is solid.
Time-plus-materials billing can save you money if the job goes fast. But it makes budgeting harder. You won’t know the exact total until the work is done. If that makes you nervous, ask for a detailed written estimate before giving the green light.
- Phone: (682) 282-6815
- Website: acehandymanservices.com
Hourly vs. Flat Rate: Pick the Right Billing Model for Your Job
Both exist. Both have trade-offs.
Hourly billing works in your favor when the job goes smoothly. Handyman knocks out your faucet swap in 45 minutes instead of the estimated 90? You pay for 45 minutes (or the minimum, whichever is higher). But if there’s a rusted fitting behind your wall, or the previous homeowner used the wrong size flange, and the job balloons from one hour to three? Your bill balloons with it.
Flat-rate pricing eliminates that surprise. You get a number. That’s the number. Done. The trade-off is that flat rates usually include a cushion for the handyman. You might pay $275 flat for a job that would have cost $200 on hourly billing. But you also won’t pay $450 when something unexpected happens.
Rule of thumb: ask for flat rate quotes on predictable jobs (ceiling fan, TV mount, toilet install). Go hourly on unpredictable ones (drywall repair, fence work, anything involving old plumbing).
Does a Handyman in Fort Worth Need a License?
Short answer: no. Texas doesn’t require a state handyman license for general repair work.
Longer answer: there are limits. Electrical work beyond swapping fixtures requires a licensed electrician. Plumbing beyond basic faucet and toilet replacement needs a licensed plumber. Structural modifications require a building permit from the City of Fort Worth. Any handyman who tells you otherwise is either misinformed or cutting corners you don’t want cut.
Good companies are upfront about this. The Smart Fix Handyman does light electrical and plumbing but flat-out refers customers to licensed specialists for anything beyond that scope. That’s the right call. An honest “that’s not our job” is worth more than a handyman winging it on your electrical panel.
License or not, always confirm liability insurance and workers’ comp coverage. Ask for the certificate. Any legitimate company will hand it over without hesitation.
Red Flags: When to Walk Away
There are more handyman scams in the DFW metro than anyone likes to admit. Watch for these.
- No insurance, or they dodge the question when you ask. Legit companies hand over their certificate of insurance like it’s a business card. If someone gets squirrely about proof of coverage, move on.
- Full payment before the work starts. A materials deposit? Fine. The whole bill upfront? Nope. Pay for completed work.
- A quote that’s wildly below everyone else. If three companies quote $250 to $350 and one guy says $90, something’s off. He’s either uninsured, planning to upsell once he’s on site, or just bad at math.
- No written estimate. Verbal quotes lead to arguments. Get scope, price, and timeline on paper (or at minimum, in a text or email). Every time.
- Zero online presence. No Google reviews. No Yelp listing. No website. In 2026, that’s a red flag. Even a one-person operation should have a few dozen reviews somewhere.
- High-pressure close. “This price is only good today.” That’s a sales tactic, not a handyman service. Real companies give you time to compare.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the going rate for a handyman in Fort Worth right now?
Anywhere from $50/hour for an independent up to $195/hour for a franchise like Mr. Handyman. Most homeowners hiring a professional local company pay between $125 and $175 per hour. The Smart Fix Handyman uses a three-tier rate structure within that range based on job difficulty, which gives you a better idea of where your specific job falls before you book.
Is it cheaper to hire a handyman or a specialized contractor?
Handyman wins on cost for small to mid-sized jobs, hands down. A faucet replacement through a handyman might run $150 to $350 total. A licensed plumber doing the same job could charge $200 to $500. The gap gets bigger on larger projects. But anything requiring a building permit, structural work, or a trade license (electrical panel, gas lines, major plumbing) needs a licensed contractor. Don’t save money on those. The risk isn’t worth it, and your homeowner’s insurance might not cover damage from unlicensed work.
Should I automatically go with the cheapest quote?
No. And here’s why. A $65/hour uninsured independent looks cheap until you factor in what happens if they damage something. A $125/hour insured company with a warranty might actually cost you less in the long run because you’re covered if the repair fails or something gets broken during the job. Compare what’s included, not just the number at the top of the estimate.
What’s the minimum I’ll pay for a handyman visit?
With a professional company, you’re looking at a two-hour minimum. At local rates ($125 to $175/hr), that’s $250 to $350 before materials. Franchises charging $175 to $195/hr have a minimum of $350 to $390. Some independents have lower minimums around $75 to $150. Make the most of any minimum by bundling several small tasks into one appointment.
Will buying my own materials actually save me money?
Usually, yes. Handymen who purchase materials often add a 20% to 50% markup, plus a trip charge of $30 to $80 for the stop at the store. If you know what’s needed (and you’re sure about sizes, models, and compatibility), buying it yourself removes both of those costs from the bill. The key word there is “sure.” Buying the wrong part wastes everyone’s time.
How do I find a trustworthy handyman in Fort Worth?
Start with Google reviews. Look for companies with at least 50 reviews and a 4.5-star rating or better. Check the Better Business Bureau. Ask neighbors and friends. Then, before any work starts, confirm three things: insurance, a written estimate, and a satisfaction guarantee. If any of those are missing, keep looking. There are enough good options in Fort Worth that you don’t need to settle.
Bottom Line
You’ve got options in Fort Worth. Budget-conscious? An independent handyman at $50 to $80/hour can handle most small repairs. Want insurance, a guarantee, and a company that shows up when they say they will? A local operation like The Smart Fix Handyman at $125 to $175/hour hits that middle ground. Prefer a nationally recognized brand? Mr. Handyman and Ace Handyman are here, and they’ll cost you $150 to $195/hour for the privilege.
Three things will save you more money than anything else: get three written quotes, bundle your to-do list into a single visit, and buy your own materials when you can. Do those three things and you’ll come out ahead no matter which company you pick.
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