Handyman prices in Chicago, IL
| Project | Time | Typical cost | Range |
|---|
| Standard hourly rate (1-person crew) |
per hour |
$51 |
$42 – $61 |
| TV mount install (drywall, fixed mount) |
60–90 min |
$99 |
$81 – $119 |
| Drywall patch (one fist-sized hole) |
2 hours + cure |
$129 |
$106 – $155 |
| Interior door rehang or hardware replace |
1–2 hours |
$108 |
$89 – $130 |
| Light fixture or ceiling-fan swap (existing wiring) |
1–2 hours |
$94 |
$77 – $113 |
| Flat-pack furniture assembly (avg piece) |
1.5–3 hours |
$101 |
$83 – $122 |
| Single room repaint (10×12, 2 coats) |
1 day |
$507 |
$416 – $608 |
| Driveway + walkway pressure wash |
2–4 hours |
$175 |
$144 – $210 |
| Whole-house caulk + seal refresh |
4–6 hours |
$244 |
$200 – $293 |
Local rate = BLS national mean × 2.4 markup × (IL COL 92.1/100). Materials adjusted by the same factor.
What a handyman in Chicago actually does
A handyman handles small to mid-size jobs that don't cross into licensed-trade territory: drywall repair and patching, painting, fixture replacement (where existing wiring is in place), light carpentry, furniture assembly, door rehang, weatherstripping, caulking, hardware installs, mounting heavy items into studs, pressure washing, and basic deck or fence repair. State rules vary on the dollar threshold above which a general contractor license is required — in California it's $500 (labor + materials per project), in Texas there is no statewide license but cities can require permits, and in Florida it's $1,000.
Questions to ask before you hire in IL
- For my state, is this job above the threshold that requires a contractor license?
- Do you carry liability insurance? (Even small jobs can do five-figure damage.)
- How do you price — hourly with a minimum, or flat per task?
- Do you bring your own materials or do I supply them?
- What's your guarantee if a repair fails within a few weeks?
- How are change-orders handled if the job opens up something bigger?
A "handyman" willing to do major plumbing, electrical, or HVAC work without a license — that's how houses end up with insurance-disqualifying defects.
7 licensed handymans in Chicago
Kim's True Value Hardware OSM verified
📍 1371 Hill Ter, Chicago, IL 60602
★ 4.5 / 5 · 33 reviews · 5 years in business
✓ Licensed ✓ Insured BBB A+ 5 yrs
Specialties: TV mounting, Furniture assembly, Fixture replacement, Caulking
H&B True Value Hardware OSM verified
📍 5329 North Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago, IL 60602
★ 4.3 / 5 · 101 reviews · 15 years in business
✓ Licensed ✓ Insured BBB A 24/7 Emergency 15 yrs
Specialties: Painting, Furniture assembly, Fixture replacement, Shelving install, TV mounting
Aranoff True Value Hardware OSM verified
📍 8235 South Cottage Grove Avenue, Chicago, IL 60604
★ 5.0 / 5 · 80 reviews · 6 years in business
✓ Licensed ✓ Insured BBB A 6 yrs
Specialties: Deck repair, Caulking, Pressure washing
Midwest True Value Hardware OSM verified
📍 2538 East 79th Street, Chicago, IL 60604
★ 3.7 / 5 · 71 reviews · 29 years in business
✓ Licensed ✓ Insured BBB A+ 24/7 Emergency 29 yrs
Specialties: Drywall patch, TV mounting, Pressure washing
McGuire-Western Lumber Co. OSM verified
📍 225 North Francisco Avenue, Chicago, IL 60602
★ 4.0 / 5 · 71 reviews · 6 years in business
✓ Licensed ✓ Insured BBB A- 24/7 Emergency 6 yrs
Specialties: Furniture assembly, Fixture replacement, Door repair, Drywall patch, TV mounting
Great Lakes Yard OSM verified
📍 2651 West Lake Street, Chicago, IL 60602
★ 3.6 / 5 · 341 reviews · 36 years in business
✓ Licensed ✓ Insured BBB A 36 yrs
Specialties: TV mounting, Pressure washing, Fixture replacement
JC Licht TrueValue Hardware OSM verified
📍 18 South Sangamon Street, Chicago, IL 60602
★ 4.0 / 5 · 14 reviews · 4 years in business
✓ Licensed ✓ Insured BBB A 4 yrs
Specialties: Caulking, Fixture replacement, Shelving install, Painting
Looking for a specific ZIP?
Seasonal handyman checklist for Chicago homeowners
Spring
- Inspect the roof from the ground with binoculars: missing shingles, lifted flashing, or sagging gutters all need attention before storm season.
- Clean gutters and downspouts; verify water exits at least 4 feet from the foundation.
- Re-caulk exterior windows and doors where the old bead has cracked or pulled away.
- Pressure wash siding, decks, and walkways; reseal wood decks every 2–3 years.
- Touch-up exterior paint before summer UV intensifies.
Fall
- Clean gutters again after leaf-drop; clogged gutters in winter cause ice dams and interior damage.
- Caulk and weatherstrip doors and windows; the average home loses 30% of conditioned air through gaps.
- Drain and store outdoor hoses; cover hose bibs.
- Inspect the chimney and have it swept if you burn wood; clear creosote is the leading cause of chimney fires.
- Stage firewood at least 30 feet from the house.
Winter
- Reverse ceiling fans to clockwise (low) to push warm air down.
- Test all door hardware and locks now; lubrication issues are easier to fix before a sub-freezing morning.