Handyman prices in Des Moines, IA
| Project | Time | Typical cost | Range |
|---|
| Standard hourly rate (1-person crew) |
per hour |
$50 |
$41 – $60 |
| TV mount install (drywall, fixed mount) |
60–90 min |
$97 |
$80 – $117 |
| Drywall patch (one fist-sized hole) |
2 hours + cure |
$127 |
$104 – $152 |
| Interior door rehang or hardware replace |
1–2 hours |
$106 |
$87 – $127 |
| Light fixture or ceiling-fan swap (existing wiring) |
1–2 hours |
$93 |
$76 – $111 |
| Flat-pack furniture assembly (avg piece) |
1.5–3 hours |
$99 |
$82 – $119 |
| Single room repaint (10×12, 2 coats) |
1 day |
$497 |
$408 – $596 |
| Driveway + walkway pressure wash |
2–4 hours |
$172 |
$141 – $206 |
| Whole-house caulk + seal refresh |
4–6 hours |
$239 |
$196 – $287 |
Local rate = BLS national mean × 2.4 markup × (IA COL 90.3/100). Materials adjusted by the same factor.
What a handyman in Des Moines 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 IA
- 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.
3 licensed handymans in Des Moines
Roberts Honey-Do
📍 8620 Willow Pl, Des Moines, IA 50309
★ 3.6 / 5 · 63 reviews · 21 years in business
✓ Licensed ✓ Insured BBB A+ 21 yrs
Specialties: Door repair, Pressure washing, Shelving install, Deck repair, Fixture replacement
Family-Owned Mr. Fix
📍 8258 Sunset Ct, Des Moines, IA 50314
★ 4.2 / 5 · 37 reviews · 11 years in business
✓ Licensed ✓ Insured BBB A- 24/7 Emergency 11 yrs
Specialties: Door repair, Fixture replacement, Deck repair, Furniture assembly
Lone Star Property Services
📍 4223 Forest St, Des Moines, IA 50319
★ 5.0 / 5 · 17 reviews · 33 years in business
✓ Licensed ✓ Insured 24/7 Emergency 33 yrs
Specialties: TV mounting, Pressure washing, Drywall patch, Fixture replacement
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Seasonal handyman checklist for Des Moines 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.