How much does a handyman cost in 2026?
A handyman charges €30 to €70 per hour in 2026. Simple jobs such as assembling furniture are at the bottom of that range, specialist work at the top. For small tasks such as hanging a lamp, a fixed price is often agreed. These are guide prices: the real price depends on the type of job and follows from the quote.
What does a handyman cost per hour and per m2?
Guide prices per type of job. What you pay follows from the quote; the condition of the work decides most of it.
| Type of job | Guide price 2026 | What makes the difference |
|---|---|---|
| Simple job (assembling furniture, small repairs) | €35 - €45 per hour | |
| Specialist handyman work (e.g. laying laminate, locks and fittings) | €50 - €75 per hour | |
| Hanging a lamp or painting | €35 - €60 fixed price |
Hourly rate
€30 - €70per hour
Call-out charge
€10 - €30
depending on the distance, some handymen do not charge this separately
What makes up the price?
Labour
the hourly rate itself, usually the largest part of the bill
Materials
you often buy this yourself, or it is billed separately
Call-out charge
usually €10 to €30, sometimes already included in the hourly rate
This falls under the standard VAT rate of 21%, on both labour and materials. The reduced rate of 9% only applies to painting, plastering, wallpapering and the insulation of floors, walls and roofs in a home older than 2 years, plus cleaning work inside the home. If that kind of work is part of the same job, only that part is charged at 9%. The Dutch tax authority publishes the conditions that apply.
What determines the price?
- Type of job: simple assembly work is cheaper than specialist handyman work
- Region: rates in large cities are often somewhat higher
- Urgency: a surcharge of 30 to 50% is common outside office hours
- Whether you already have the materials at home or the handyman arranges them
- Combining several jobs: doing multiple tasks in one visit saves on travel costs
What will your job cost exactly?
These are indicative market prices, not a quote. Post your job for free and get replies from handymen near you, so you know exactly where you stand.
Post your job for freeFrequently asked questions
How much does a handyman charge per hour?
Expect €30 to €70 per hour. Simple jobs such as assembling furniture or small repairs are usually around €35 to €45, specialist work can go up to €50 to €75 per hour.
Does a handyman charge a minimum number of hours?
Many handymen apply a minimum of 1 to 2 hours per visit, even for a short job. Ask about this when requesting a quote.
How much does hanging a lamp or painting cost?
For this kind of small task, many handymen work with a fixed price, usually between €35 and €60, instead of an hourly rate.
Do I pay travel costs?
Often yes, usually €10 to €30. Some handymen already include this in their hourly rate, so it varies per professional.
Do I need to buy materials myself?
For small jobs that is common, unless you agree otherwise. Larger jobs are often offered including materials; check this in the quote.
What is an emergency surcharge?
For jobs that need to be done quickly or outside office hours, many handymen charge 30 to 50% on top of their normal hourly rate.
Does the reduced 9% VAT rate apply to handyman work?
No, you pay 21% VAT on this, on labour as well as materials. The reduced 9% rate is limited to painting, plastering, wallpapering and the insulation of floors, walls and roofs in a home older than 2 years, plus cleaning work inside the home. If the same professional also does that kind of work as part of your job, that part may be charged at 9%. Ask for a quote that lists the parts separately, so you can see which rate applies to what.
Where these amounts come from
The amounts on this page come from the Dutch price guides below and from the Belastingdienst, accessed on 5 August 2026. Prices go up, so check at the source before you decide anything. Spotted something that is out of date? Email info@jouwpro.nl and we will fix it.
Do you work as a handyman yourself?
Anyone can look at the open job requests on JouwPro. Replying costs nothing and you only pay once you win a job and finish it.
See the open jobs for handymenGuides that go with this one
Work that tends to come up in the same project.