Originally published in August 2023. Last updated on January 24, 2025.
You’re ready to grow your handyman business into a team of handypeople. All you need is an accurate, detailed job description that attracts qualified candidates for the role.
Download our handyman job description template, or use our guide below—complete with lots of handyman job description examples—to write your own job description for a handyman.
Handyman job description template
Use this template to write your own handyman job description. Modify the role summary, responsibilities, qualifications, hours, compensation, and company overview based on your business needs.
Handyman, Full Time
Level Best Handyman Co. is hiring an experienced, reliable handyman to join our team. Reporting to our team lead, the successful applicant will be responsible for interior and exterior repair, maintenance, and upgrade projects in our clients’ homes.
The ideal candidate will have physical stamina, technical expertise, and previous trade or handyman experience.
Job responsibilities:
- Perform walk-through assessments and prepare cost estimates
- Perform basic repairs (e.g., wall damage, broken windows)
- Complete general maintenance work
- Move heavy furniture, appliances, and equipment
- Assist trades with electrical, plumbing, and HVAC repair work
- Clean windows, gutters, pavement, and other exterior surfaces
- Paint surfaces and apply stain as needed
- Take on other installation, repair, and maintenance duties as needed and legally permitted
- Follow workplace health and safety rules
- Load and unload tools and equipment from work vehicles
- Coordinate service with customers and handle complaints professionally
- Accurately log billable hours using a time tracking app
- Manage job details, review daily tasks, and follow up with customers using our handyman app
Handyman skills and qualifications:
- High school diploma or GED
- [STATE] handyman license or other trade license
- 2+ years of experience as a handyman
- Valid driver’s license, clean driving record, and reliable transportation
- Basic plumbing, electrical, and HVAC knowledge
- Basic carpentry, including finding studs, building bookshelves, and installing cabinets
- Comfortable using hand tools and power tools
- Able to perform basic mathematical calculations and convert measurements
- Able to sit, stand, kneel, lift, and climb ladders
- Strong organizational, multi-tasking, and problem-solving skills
- Attention to detail, positive attitude, and strong work ethic
- Can reliably work alone and as part of a team
- Able to communicate well (multiple languages are a plus)
- Able to follow written and verbal instructions
- Friendly with good interpersonal skills
- Experience using scheduling apps or routing apps preferred (training can be provided)
Working hours:
- Full-time, year-round
- Mon–Fri, 8:00am–4:00pm
- Overtime available but not required
Compensation:
- $22–27/hour (based on experience)
- Signing bonus and year-round bonus opportunities
- Health insurance, including dental and vision
- Paid holidays, time off, and parental leave
- 401(k) matching and life insurance
This position will require a background check upon hire.
About Level Best Handyman Co.
Level Best Handyman Co. provides top-quality residential handyman service to homeowners in the Chicago area. Our team of experienced handymen is fully licensed and insured, so our customers can rest easy knowing that all work performed on the property is done safely, up to code, and with quality workmanship.
We provide a supportive, collaborative work environment complete with ongoing training and professional development opportunities. We also offer competitive compensation and benefits packages, including health insurance and retirement plans.
Come work for a reputable company that values your skill and expertise, and we’ll do our level best to help you build a fulfilling career.
To apply for this position, send your resume to [company email address].
What to include in your handyman job description:
1. Role summary
SStart your handyman job description with a role summary. This is a short overview of the handyman position you’re hiring for, so include details like:
- Position title
- Supervisor
- Seniority level
- Main responsibilities
The role summary should also briefly describe what the role involves and what kind of person would do well in that job. Your handyman role summary could look something like this:
Handyman, Full Time
Level Best Handyman Co. is hiring an experienced, reliable handyman to join our team. Reporting to our team lead, the successful applicant will be responsible for interior and exterior repair, maintenance, and upgrade projects in our clients’ homes.
The ideal candidate will have physical stamina, technical expertise, and previous trade or handyman experience.
When you’re looking for [people] who have great attitudes, they want to do something great, they have big expectations for what they can accomplish in their own lives. You want to be able to present something to them that is going to be attractive.
2. Job responsibilities
Write down a list of handyman job responsibilities and duties. There could be a long to-do list of odd jobs, so make sure you’re covering all possible tasks by asking questions like:
- What clients do your handyman business work with (e.g., residential, commercial)?
- What handyman tools and equipment will they use (e.g., power tools and hand tools such as a hammer, electric drill, or circular saw)?
- What do your current handymen do in any given week (e.g., painting, carpentry, electrical work, routine general maintenance tasks and repairs)?
- Will your new employee need to complete any other non-handyman tasks (e.g., customer service, pricing handyman jobs, scheduling work, invoicing clients)?
Your new handyman’s job responsibilities could look like this:
Sample job responsibilities:
- Perform walk-through assessments and prepare cost estimates
- Perform basic repairs (e.g., wall damage, broken windows)
- Complete general maintenance work
- Move heavy furniture, appliances, and equipment
- Assist trades with electrical, plumbing, and HVAC repair work
- Clean windows, gutters, pavement, and other exterior surfaces
- Paint surfaces and apply stain as needed
- Take on other installation, repair, and maintenance duties as needed and legally permitted
- Follow workplace health and safety rules
- Load and unload tools and equipment from work vehicles
- Coordinate service with customers and handle complaints professionally
- Accurately log billable hours using a time tracking app
- Manage job details, review daily tasks, and follow up with customers using our handyman app
3. Handyman skills and qualifications
Start by creating a list of handyman skills a candidate will need to be successful. Here are Start by creating a list of handyman skills a candidate will need to be successful. Here are a few essential handyman skills to include on your job description:
- Plumbing (e.g., toilet repairs, faucet and sink repair, water leak repair)
- Carpentry (e.g., building decks and railings, fence repair, installing crown molding)
- Electrical work (e.g., installing light fixtures and fans, installing electric car charging stations)
- Appliance installation and repair
- Furniture assembly
- Painting (e.g., interior and exterior painting)
- Physical demands (e.g., working at heights, lifting heavy objects)
- Strong general repair skills
Soft skills are interpersonal and behavioral skills that will help the candidate work well with your team and on-site at a client’s property. To find the best applicant, consider adding these soft skills to your job description:
- Customer service
- Communication
- Organization
- Working with others
- Interpersonal skills
- Basic math skills
- Problem solving skills
Then, include any professional qualifications you’re looking for in a new hire, like:
- Years of proven handyman experience
- Handyman license, if required by your state
- Successful completion of a handyman apprenticeship program
- Valid driver’s license and clean driver’s record, if required
You can also add optional skills that aren’t needed for the role but would help qualified candidates stand out, like being fluent in Spanish or having experience with handyman software.
Sample qualifications and skills:
- High school diploma or GED
- [STATE] handyman license or other trade license
- 2+ years of experience as a handyman
- Valid driver’s license, clean driving record, and reliable transportation
- Basic plumbing, electrical, and HVAC knowledge
- Basic carpentry, including finding studs, building bookshelves, and installing cabinets
- Comfortable using hand tools and power tools
- Able to perform basic mathematical calculations and convert measurements
- Able to sit, stand, kneel, lift, and climb ladders
- Strong organizational, multi-tasking, and problem-solving skills
- Attention to detail, positive attitude, and strong work ethic
- Can reliably work alone and as part of a team
- Able to communicate well (multiple languages are a plus)
- Able to follow written and verbal instructions
- Friendly with good interpersonal skills
- Experience using scheduling apps or routing apps preferred (training can be provided)
READ MORE: Must-have handyman apps for busy contractors
4. Working hours
Your handyman job description should include your working hours or shift options so candidates know what to expect. That way, they’ll only apply if your schedule works for their needs.
Include any other relevant information about the time commitment, like whether the job is full-time or part-time, permanent or temporary, and seasonal or year-round.
Sample working hours:
- Full-time, year-round
- Mon–Fri, 8:00am–4:00pm
- Overtime available but not required
5. Role compensation
Include the salary or hourly wage for the role, even if it’s a pay range. This sets expectations early and tells applicants whether the compensation is in the right range for them.
Candidates will compare employers to see which one they like best, so include non-financial compensation, too. This could include your employee bonus program, paid days off, and health insurance.
Sample compensation:
- $22–27/hour (based on experience)
- Signing bonus and year-round bonus opportunities
- Health insurance, including dental and vision
- Paid holidays, time off, and parental leave
- 401(k) matching and life insurance
I believe your job posting should have, right up front, what your incentives are because people are drawn to incentives.’What can I get out of this?’ What you’re going to pay.
6. Company overview
Tell applicants more about your handyman business and why they should work for you. Include details like:
- How many years you’ve been in business
- Company mission, vision, and values
- What kind of employee experience you offer
- Why employees work with you
- Professional development and career-building opportunities
Your handyman company overview could look like this:
About Level Best Handyman Co.
Level Best Handyman Co. provides top-quality residential handyman service to homeowners in the Chicago area. Our team of experienced handymen is fully licensed and insured, so our customers can rest easy knowing that all work performed on the property is done safely, up to code, and with quality workmanship.
We provide a supportive, collaborative work environment complete with ongoing training and professional development opportunities. We also offer competitive compensation and benefits packages, including health insurance and retirement plans.
Come work for a reputable company that values your skill and expertise, and we’ll do our level best to help you build a fulfilling career.
You want to make them feel like they are a part of something, that they’re not just a number, they’re not just an employee.
Pro Tip: When your handyman company overview is finished, you can reuse it in future job postings.
READ MORE: How to build a business where employees want to work
Make sure your handyman job description includes instructions for applying, whether that’s through email or using an online application form on job boards like Indeed.
These instructions should also state the application deadline and whether you need a handyman resume, cover letter, and references.
Frequently asked questions
How much to pay a handyman
On average, handymen earn $46,700/year (USD). This amount can vary depending on their experience. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the bottom 10% of handymen in the country make an average of $30,860 each year while the top 10% make an average of $73,490.
Where you live and work can also affect your wages. A handyman living in Alaska earns an average of $59,800 a year, but only earns an average of $43,960 providing the same service in Florida.
What does a handyman do?
Handymen complete a wide variety of installation, maintenance, and repair tasks around Handymen complete a wide variety of installation, maintenance, and repair tasks around a home or office. These tasks can require specialized knowledge or tools, or the customer may not have time to do the tasks themselves.
Here are a few examples of handyman services:
- Furniture assembly
- Minor plumbing, electrical, and carpentry tasks that don’t require a trade ticket
- Interior and exterior surface painting, staining, maintenance, and minor repairs
- Window covering installation and door hardware upgrades
- Babyproofing and senior home upgrades
- Pressure washing, window cleaning, and gutter cleaning
- Yard maintenance and fence repairs
- Preventative maintenance like fixing door seals and replacing furnace filters
Handymen can work as independent contractors, or they can be employed or subcontracted by a property management company or other business.
What are some handyman duties and responsibilities?
A handyman’s duty is to help customers maintain their homes and offices. This includes coordinating visits, performing site walkthroughs, and providing a wide range of handyman services.
As part of their key responsibilities, a handyman may work with suppliers to source and maintain an inventory of products and materials.
Depending on the handyman’s seniority level and the business’s needs, they may also be responsible for quoting jobs, sending invoices, and collecting customer payments.
What skills, experience, or training does a handyman need?
Handyman companies often prefer to hire employees with proven experience as handymen, plumbers, carpenters, electricians, painters, or similar home services roles.
Many handyman jobs require a high school diploma or GED. Some areas also require a handyman license, trade ticket, or other certification before a handyman can legally provide services.
What makes a good handyman?
The best handymen can quickly find and solve a variety of problems in a home or office. They work well with customers, clearly communicate with others, and stay focused for long periods of time.
Successful handymen can also work within tight spaces like attics and crawlspaces, climb and stand on ladders, and occasionally lift heavy loads.
The more industry knowledge a handyman has, the better. Ideally, a professional handyman has strong general repair skills and experience in at least one trade, like plumbing or electrical.
What should you look for in a handyman resume?
Always get applicants to send you a copy of their handyman resume. Look for past experience as a handyman, including trade certification (if that’s important for the role you’re hiring for).
If you’re hiring for an entry-level role, look for applicants who show a willingness to learn. They should also have at least one year’s experience in each previous role so you know they won’t leave for another job right away.
Job descriptions and interview questions from similar trades
If you want to get a glimpse into how other industries think about their job descriptions, take a look at these examples for plumbing, roofing, and landscaping.
Once you are ready to start interviewing your qualified candidates, use these examples from electricians, HVAC technicians, and housekeepers as a guide to asking the right questions when evaluating a potential new hire.