Handyman Services in Indianapolis

Handyman Service Pricing – Indianapolis 2025–2026

Handyman work in Indianapolis is priced by the hour, by the task, or in half-day service blocks. All prices include labor and basic hardware (screws, anchors, caulk, touch-up supplies). Specialty materials and fixtures are additional unless noted.

Prices are labor-only estimates for typical Indianapolis residential work unless noted. You supply fixtures, appliances, and major materials (faucets, fans, doors, disposals, locks, paint); basic mounting hardware, caulk, and fasteners are included. *Garbage disposal price is labor only — expect $100–$300 additional for the unit itself. Complex jobs, specialty materials, or older homes may cost more. Request a free instant estimate for exact pricing on your project.

Drywall Repair

Drywall damage is the single most common handyman request in Indianapolis. Doorknob holes, furniture impacts, picture hanger damage, stress cracks from settling, and water stains all require professional patching to look right. A proper drywall repair involves cutting a clean patch, installing backing, applying multiple coats of joint compound with sanding between coats, and finishing with texture matching and paint.

Small patches (under 4 inches) cost $150–$300. Larger repairs requiring new drywall sections cost $300–$500. Ceiling drywall repair costs $350–$800 due to overhead access difficulty, additional setup for dust containment, and gravity working against the repair. Water-damaged drywall requires identifying and fixing the moisture source before repair — patching over active water damage wastes money.

Texture Matching

Many Indianapolis homes, especially those built in the 1980s and 1990s, have textured walls and ceilings (knockdown, orange peel, skip-trowel, or popcorn). Matching existing texture requires experience and adds $50–$100 to a standard repair. A visible texture mismatch is often worse than the original damage, which is why texture matching is worth the extra cost.

Carpentry & Trim

Small carpentry covers the repairs and installations that don't justify hiring a finish carpenter but require more skill than basic DIY. Common tasks include replacing damaged baseboards or crown molding ($150–$350 per room), installing floating shelves ($100–$250 depending on number and weight rating), repairing stair railings, fixing squeaky stairs and floors, replacing window sills, and building simple storage solutions.

Cabinet repairs — reattaching loose hinges, adjusting misaligned doors, replacing drawer slides, installing soft-close hardware — are among the most cost-effective handyman tasks because a $100–$200 repair can extend the life of cabinets for years without full replacement.

Door Repair & Installation

Door problems are both annoying and common, especially in older Indianapolis homes where settling causes frames to shift. Sticking doors, doors that won't latch, gaps at the bottom letting drafts through, and damaged frames are all standard handyman repairs at $100–$200. Pre-hung interior door installation costs $175–$350 per door including shimming, leveling, hardware installation, and trim.

Lock and deadbolt replacement costs $100–$175 per lock installed. Smart lock installation (Schlage, August, Yale) costs $125–$225 including setup and programming. Exterior door weatherstripping and threshold replacement ($100–$200) makes a noticeable difference in Indianapolis winters where cold air infiltration through worn door seals drives up heating costs.

TV Mounting

Professional TV mounting costs $150–$400 in Indianapolis depending on wall type and cable management needs. A standard mount on drywall with stud anchoring costs $150–$250. Concealing cables inside the wall (running low-voltage wiring through the wall cavity) adds $75–$200 but eliminates visible wire clutter. Mounting above a fireplace with cable routing to an AV cabinet costs $250–$400.

Critical details that separate professional mounting from DIY attempts: ensuring the mount hits solid studs (not just drywall anchors) for TVs over 40 pounds, using properly rated hardware for the TV's weight, achieving perfect level, and running cables cleanly. A 65-inch TV on a failed drywall anchor can cause $500–$1,000 in wall and TV damage — professional mounting is cheap insurance.

Interior Painting

Handyman interior painting covers individual rooms, accent walls, trim touch-ups, and small spaces that don't justify hiring a full painting crew. A standard bedroom costs $300–$500 (walls and ceiling, prep, two coats). A bathroom costs $250–$400. An accent wall costs $150–$300. Trim and door painting costs $75–$150 per door or $3–$5 per linear foot for baseboards and crown molding.

Painting preparation accounts for most of the labor and determines the quality of the final result. Proper preparation includes moving furniture, laying drop cloths, cleaning walls, filling nail holes and dents with spackle, sanding smooth, taping edges, cutting in at corners and ceiling lines, and rolling two full coats. A handyman who skips prep delivers results that show it within weeks.

Fixture & Hardware Installation

Fixture installation is one of the best uses of handyman time because many homeowners own light fixtures, faucets, or hardware they purchased but never installed. Same-type light fixture replacement costs $100–$200 (swapping an old fixture for a new one on existing wiring — no permit required). Ceiling fan installation on existing wiring with a fan-rated box costs $150–$350.

Faucet replacement costs $150–$275 (you supply the faucet). Garbage disposal replacement costs $150–$300 for labor (the unit itself runs an additional $100–$300 depending on brand and motor size). Toilet repair (flapper, fill valve, handle) costs $100–$175 while full toilet replacement costs $200–$350 (you supply the toilet). Cabinet hardware replacement — knobs, pulls, and hinges — runs $75–$150 for a kitchen's worth at about $3–$5 per piece installed.

Minor Exterior Repairs

Handyman exterior work covers the small repairs that prevent larger, more expensive problems. Sealing gaps and cracks around windows, doors, and siding with caulk ($100–$200) stops air infiltration and water entry. Gutter cleaning and minor repair costs $125–$250. Replacing damaged siding sections costs $200–$400 depending on material matching. Screen repair or replacement costs $75–$150 per screen.

Deck and fence repairs — replacing rotted boards, tightening loose railings, reseating popped nails — cost $150–$400 depending on scope. Pressure washing decks, patios, driveways, and siding costs $125–$300 and dramatically improves curb appeal for very little investment. These are the maintenance tasks Indianapolis homeowners consistently put off until small problems become expensive ones.

Seasonal Maintenance – Indianapolis

Spring

Inspect and clean gutters after winter debris accumulation. Check exterior caulking around windows and doors for winter damage. Test and adjust exterior faucets. Inspect deck and fence for winter heave or rot. Repair storm damage to siding, trim, and screens. Re-caulk bathroom fixtures after seasonal expansion/contraction cycles.

Fall

Weatherstrip exterior doors and windows before Indianapolis winters. Install storm windows if applicable. Caulk exterior gaps to prevent cold air infiltration. Clean and inspect gutters before leaf fall. Check attic access hatches for insulation and air sealing. Reverse ceiling fans to push warm air down. These preventive tasks at $65–$85 per hour prevent much more expensive emergency repairs in January.

Honey-Do Lists & Service Blocks

The most cost-effective way to use a handyman is bundling tasks into a single visit. A half-day block (4 hours, $260–$340) typically covers 5–8 small tasks that would cost $125–$175 each if scheduled separately. A full-day block (8 hours, $520–$680) can knock out an entire backlog of deferred maintenance.

Typical Half-Day Punch List

In a 4-hour visit, a skilled handyman can typically complete a combination like: patch 2–3 drywall holes, adjust a sticking door, install a new lock, mount a TV, replace a kitchen faucet, and caulk a bathroom — all tasks that individually would cost $100–$350 each. Building a comprehensive list before scheduling maximizes every hour of productive work.

How to Prepare

Walk through your home room by room noting every issue. Prioritize your list so the most important tasks get done first. Purchase any fixtures, hardware, or specialty materials in advance. Clear work areas of furniture and belongings. Having materials on hand eliminates hardware store trips that consume 30–60 minutes of billable time per trip.

Handyman vs. Contractor

Understanding when you need a handyman versus a licensed contractor saves both money and headaches. Handymen are ideal for general repairs, minor installations, maintenance tasks, and projects that don't require permits or specialized licensing. Contractors are necessary when work requires trade-specific licensing (electrical, plumbing, HVAC), permits, structural modifications, or specialty expertise.

In Indianapolis, work requiring permits — new electrical circuits, plumbing modifications, structural changes, HVAC installation — must be performed by licensed professionals. A handyman can swap a light fixture or faucet (same-type replacement, no permit needed) but cannot run new plumbing lines or add electrical circuits. Contract Connect automatically routes your project to the right professional based on scope.

When a Handyman Is the Right Call

Drywall repair, door adjustments, painting, TV mounting, shelving, furniture assembly, caulking, weatherstripping, fixture swaps (same-type), hardware installation, gutter cleaning, minor deck/fence repair, screen replacement, and general maintenance. These tasks require skill and proper tools but not trade licensing or permits.

When You Need a Licensed Contractor

Panel upgrades, new electrical circuits, plumbing repiping, water heater replacement, HVAC work, structural modifications, roofing, window/door replacement (exterior, structural), and any project requiring a city permit. Contract Connect connects you with licensed plumbers, electricians, and specialty contractors for these projects.

Areas We Serve

Contract Connect provides handyman services throughout Indianapolis and surrounding communities:

• Downtown Indianapolis
• Broad Ripple
• Meridian-Kessler
• Irvington
• Fountain Square
• Butler-Tarkington
• Speedway
• Lawrence
• Castleton
• Greenwood
• Carmel
• Fishers
• Noblesville
• Brownsburg
• Avon
• Plainfield
• Zionsville
• Westfield
• Beech Grove
• Southport

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