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Most handyman jobs start with a simple request: a loose hinge, a broken step, a faucet that won’t stop dripping. But once you show up, the list can grow fast. A clear contract keeps everyone on the same page. It sets expectations, keeps the work from growing beyond what you agreed to, and gives both you and the customer a written plan to follow.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to create a handyman contract that covers the work, materials, pricing, and terms.
→ Want to get started right away? Download our free handyman contract template with step-by-step instructions, easy customization, a printable report, and built-in formulas to save you time.
Key takeaways
Here are some quick tips to create a well-rounded handyman contract:
Set clear expectations: Define the specific tasks you’ll take care of so customers understand exactly what’s included and avoid adding extra work later on.
Protect your time: Spell out your pricing, deposits, and payment schedule so each job runs smoothly and you’re never stuck chasing after payments.
Document materials upfront: Clarify which materials you’ll provide and which ones the customer needs to supply to keep everything on track and everyone in the loop.
Cover the legal basics: Include warranty details, liability notes, and cancellation terms so both you and your customer know how issues or changes will be handled.
Keep everything organized: Store contracts digitally, track job details in one place, and use e-signatures to get approvals fast without crimping your workflow.
Jump ahead
Common types of handyman contracts
As a handyman, you’ll do all sorts of work—more so than almost any other trade. You might patch drywall in the morning, swap out lighting in the afternoon, and take care of a rental punch list before heading home. Because the work changes daily, your contracts need to, too. Having the right type of contract helps you match the agreement to the job.
Pro tip: Many handymen keep contracts organized using field service tools like Housecall Pro, which stores job info, approvals, and client details in one place.
Handyman service agreement
A service agreement covers small, one-off jobs. These are usually visits that take just a few hours or can be wrapped up in a single day, such as:
- Fixing door jambs and hinges
- Repairing damaged drywall
- Installing fixtures or appliances
- Replacing outlets or switches (where allowed by local regulations)
- Caulking, sealing, or minor carpentry work
Service agreements spell out the exact work you’ll complete, how long the job should take, and what the final price or hourly rate will be. Use them for jobs that are simple, predictable, and don’t require staging materials or multiple visits. They’re typically quick to create, especially if you use software like Housecall Pro to pull in preset services, pricing, and customer details.
Free download: Handyman service agreement template
Handyman project contract
Use project contracts for larger, multi-stage jobs that require planning, multiple visits, or extra materials. These contracts help you stay organized and make it easier to manage work when a customer wants several different repairs done at once. They can cover:
- Building custom shelving
- Installing cabinets or trim throughout multiple rooms
- Rebuilding stairs or deck sections
- Multi-room repair projects
- Light remodeling support alongside a general contractor
A project contract is a bit more extensive than a service agreement, covering additional items like timeline, payment milestones, and the overall plan for how the work will progress. This helps you control scope, especially when customers add tasks as you go.
Pro tip: Use phased pricing in larger projects to avoid cash flow issues. Many pros set a deposit, a mid-point payment, and a final payment. Tools like Housecall Pro help you keep each phase organized by connecting notes, photos, materials, and timelines to a single job record.
Maintenance or seasonal service contract
More and more handymen are offering repeat or seasonal services. These contracts lay out the frequency, tasks included, and pricing for ongoing work. Great fits for maintenance plans include:
- Quarterly home safety checks
- Rental property turnover work
- Gutter cleaning or seasonal prep
- Filter replacements
- Weatherproofing and home inspections
These agreements are perfect for working with landlords or property managers who rely on regular upkeep. They’re an excellent way to bring in predictable revenue and help you build long-term client relationships.
Free download: Small business maintenance contract
Financing or payment plan agreement
Some clients have tight budgets, so split payments are the only way they can hire for bigger handyman projects. If you plan to offer payment plans, make sure your agreement spells out:
- Deposit amount
- Number of payments
- Payment schedule
- Late fees or missed payment consequences
Clear guidelines keep both sides aligned and reduce those ultra-awkward money conversations later.
Warranty or workmanship guarantee contract
Standing behind your work with a solid workmanship guarantee—even for small jobs—goes a long way toward building a great reputation. Your warranty contract should explain:
- What you guarantee (such as labor for 30, 60, or 90 days)
- What’s not included (think manufacturer defects and customer-provided items)
- What voids the warranty (such as misuse, weather damage, or third-party changes)
Keep your warranty short and clear (but cover your bases) to show professionalism without overcommitting. Homeowners appreciate the written layer of protection, and it helps differentiate you from your competitors who may only provide verbal assurance.
What to include in a handyman contract
A well-written handyman contract doesn’t have to be riddled with legal jargon to be effective. It just needs to cover the essentials clearly and consistently. Use this list to build your contract:
- Business and client details: Include your business name, contact information, and any relevant license or insurance info. Add the customer’s name, address, and job site details so both parties are clearly identified.
- Scope of work: Describe the exact tasks you’ll complete using simple, specific language to prevent misunderstandings or unpaid extra work.
- Materials and equipment covered: Note which materials you’ll provide and which the customer is responsible for. This helps protect you from delays or issues caused by customer-supplied parts.
- Frequency or duration of service: Outline your planned start date, estimated completion date, or service schedule for recurring work so customers know when you’ll be on-site and how long the job should take.
- Pricing and payment plans: List your labor rate, material costs, deposit amount, and payment schedule. Include any late fees or payment deadlines to keep cash flow predictable.
- Warranty and liability: Explain what you guarantee, how long the coverage lasts, and what isn’t included so customers understand the limits of your responsibility.
- Termination clauses: Describe how either party can cancel the agreement and what costs still apply. This protects you if the job ends early or if the client changes plans mid-project.
- Signatures and dates: Leave space for signatures to confirm approval.
Pro tip: Incorporate tools like e-signatures. They make it easy to send, sign, and store contracts so you can keep jobs moving without paperwork slowing you down.
How to create a handyman contract (step-by-step)
When you’re ready to build a clear, professional contract you can use for future jobs, follow these steps:
- Gather client and business information: Start by getting your business details and the customer’s full contact and job site information together. This clearly identifies both parties in the contract and avoids any confusion if you work on multiple properties. Having it ready to go right away also speeds up the estimate and approval process.
- Define the scope of work: Write out exactly what you’ll be doing on the job in no-nonsense terms. Break it into clear tasks so there’s no doubt about what’s included and what isn’t.
- List materials and equipment covered: Specify what materials you’ll provide and which ones the customer needs to supply. If the job requires specialty items, note who’s responsible for ordering them and when they need to be available. This keeps projects from stalling due to missing parts or last-minute changes.
- Set service frequency and duration: For one-time jobs, state your planned start date and a realistic completion estimate. For recurring or seasonal work, define the service schedule and how long the agreement lasts. Definitive timelines help your customer plan around your visit and manage expectations.
- Establish pricing and payment terms: Break down your labor charges, material costs, and any deposits required to begin work. Let the customer know when payment is due and which payment methods you accept. Add late fees and cancellation fees, too, so there are no misconceptions surrounding your payment policies.
- Include warranty and liability information: Explain what type of warranty you offer on your workmanship and how long that coverage lasts. Be specific about what you do and don’t cover, especially when the customer supplies materials or when pre-existing issues are present. This way, you’re not held accountable for things outside of your control (i.e., that chip in the cabinet was already there before you started working).
- Add termination clauses: Outline how both you and your customer can end the agreement and what’ll happen if either of you does. A clear “out” protects you in case the customer cancels midway through a project or delays work unexpectedly. Plus, it makes the contract more professional and predictable.
- Include signatures and dates: Add space for both you and the customer to sign and date the agreement. Once signed, save a copy for your records so you can reference it as needed throughout the job.
- Review and customize: Before pressing send, double-check every detail—pricing, materials, dates, and the exact tasks included. Tedious though it may be, it’s worth the extra few minutes to catch mistakes. Make sure the terms and conditions match what you discussed during your estimate or walkthrough, and once everything looks good, save the version for quick customization for future use.
Free download: Handyman terms and conditions template
How Housecall Pro’s handyman software can help
With back-to-back jobs and ever-changing tasks, staying organized is key to running a successful handyman business. Housecall Pro’s handyman software helps you keep contracts, approvals, and job info in one place so you can move from one task to the next without any details slipping through the cracks.
With Housecall Pro, you can:
- Create and save digital contracts: Store your contract template in the app and fill it out on your phone during estimates or walk-throughs. Everything stays in one place for quick reference.
- Send and collect signatures quickly: Use e-signatures to allow customers to approve work on your phone or through a link you send. It cuts out the time-consuming back-and-forth and gets the job moving sooner.
- Simplify recurring maintenance work: If you offer seasonal or repeat services, use our Service Plan feature to schedule visits and stay ahead of renewal dates. Customers appreciate the well-timed reminders, and you get predictable work on the calendar.
- Keep job details connected: Once a contract is approved, you can build estimates, invoices, and job notes from the same place. Photos, materials, tasks, and payments all stay tied to that job record.
- Stay on top of renewals and deadlines: Set reminders for maintenance visits, warranty end dates, or contract renewals. It’s an easy way to keep long-term customers organized without extra paperwork.
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FAQ
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How do you write a contract for handyman services?
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To write a contract for handyman services, outline the work you’ll complete, list any materials involved, and include pricing, payment terms, and your timeline. Finish with warranty details, liability notes, and signatures to make the agreement clear and complete.
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What’s the average handyman charge per hour?
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The average handyman charges $50–$100 per hour, depending on location, experience, and job complexity. Rates might increase for specialty skills, emergency calls, or work that requires a bit more time or materials. Some handymen may skip hourly rates and use flat-rate pricing, which is common for small, predictable jobs.
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What are the five required elements of a contract?
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The five required elements of a contract are offer, acceptance, consideration, capacity, and legality. In a handyman contract, that means clearly describing the work, getting approval from the customer, outlining payment terms, agreeing on the terms together, and ensuring the work is lawful in your area. With all five pieces in place, your contract is legally enforceable.
