Everything You Need To Know About An Electrician Handyman

April 18, 2025
9 Min Read

Key takeaways

A handyman electrician is ideal for minor electrical jobs.
Ceiling fan installation, light fixture upgrades & TV mounting are some of a handyman’s services.
Hiring a handyman ranges from $50 to $150/hour.
The cost of a handyman depends on the project size, materials & the day/time of service.
Gathering quotes & planning projects in bulk can cut costs.

Taking up electrical work as a DIY project can be quite dangerous. The National Electrical Code (NEC) advises against any DIY electrical work involving wiring, as it can significantly affect the overall electrical safety of your home. A wrong connection can create major electrical sparks and even lead to electrocution. Poorly installed electrical wiring has been reported as a common cause of home fires. Furthermore, making mistakes in connections often results in hours of troubleshooting and even costly repairs, which can be frustrating. This is why hiring a handyman electrician can save time and money and reduce stress, as homeowners won’t feel overwhelmed by minor electrical issues and repairs, like faulty plugs and switches.

Electrical handymen are the best choice for electrical services like installing ceiling fans, switches, light fixtures, and smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, diagnosing which outlet keeps tripping the circuit breaker, and installing basic electrical components like motion sensors for security systems, among others rather than installing a qualified electrician for such minor electrical needs.

Many people are unsure about the services provided by an electrician handyman, including whether they can help in upgrading electrical panels, the average costs involved in hiring one, and the important factors to consider when selecting the right handyman. This guide will offer all the information homeowners need before employing an electrician handyman.

Services Provided By An Electrician Handyman

A handyman doesn’t need a professional certification to perform minor repairs and install basic electrical appliances. They typically work around the house and provide the following services at rates lower than those of professional electricians:

Ceiling Fan Installation

If you want to replace an old fan or a light fixture, assemble the blades of a new ceiling fan, mount the fan, secure it to the bracket, properly wire the fan to the electrical connection, and ensure the blades are balanced, then a handyman electrician has the expertise to help you with this.

Basic Electrical Repairs

An electrical handyman can help you with basic electrical repairs, such as tightening loose connections in switches or outlets, replacing old outlets with USB-equipped ones and light switches, repairing or replacing extension cords and power strips, fixing faulty wires, and addressing short circuits, flickering lights, and blown fuses.

Installing and Updating Lights

Installing ceiling lights or pendant lights where an electrical box already exists, as well as landscape lighting, security lighting, and lights inside or under cabinets, and updating older fixtures with newer technology such as LED lighting that lasts longer and costs less. All these jobs can be easily performed by a handyman providing quality service.

Wiring and Installing Appliances

If, after purchasing a sound speaker system for your new TV, you find yourself struggling to install and set it up, or if you want to install smart devices such as hard-wired or battery-operated smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, thermostats, door cameras, motion detectors, and other security devices, then hiring a handyman is the most cost-effective solution.

TV Wall Mounting and Wiring

Nowadays, TVs come in large sizes and can be quite heavy, which makes installation and setup overwhelming. Installing a TV requires heavy-duty equipment, strength, and expertise. A handyman can help you select the perfect TV mount for your television’s size and weight. They will attach the TV mount to the wall, secure the TV to the bracket, and help with hiding cables and wires by running them inside the wall to ensure little to no damage.

Air Conditioning Repairs and Maintenance

A handyman electrician can help you with cleaning the air conditioner and replacing the filters. They also have expertise in inspecting the vents and ducts to ensure there are no blockages and that air flows efficiently.

Installing Plug-In Surge Protectors

You should keep in mind that a handyman is not licensed to install a whole home surge protector. However, they can assist you with installing plug-in surge protectors, which are specifically designed for easy installation. They will also help you troubleshoot any issues, such as overheating or malfunctioning, by checking whether there is a fault in the electrical system or in the installation.

What Is The Average Cost To Hire An Electrical Handyman?

The cost of a handyman depends on the following factors:

Materials required for the task: If the job involves replacing an outlet, light fixtures, or installing surge protectors, you will need to purchase the materials yourself.

Location: Pricing highly depends on the location of your house. Generally, service providers charge more in high-cost areas. Some of the areas with the highest cost of living in the United States are New York, Massachusetts, and California.

Experience: More experienced and skilled handymen typically charge more than less experienced ones.

Self-employed or Corporate employed: Self-employed electrical handymen are usually more affordable and have flexible pricing since their work is not subcontracted. Corporate-employed handymen tend to cost 15% to 20% more than self-employed ones.

Time and Day: If there’s an emergency requirement or if you want the service done on a weekend, it may cost more compared to services performed on weekdays.

Complexity and Size of the Project: A small job that takes two or three hours to complete might cost between $50 and $250, but if it takes multiple days with increased complexity, it can cost up to $1,500.

Travel Fees: If a handyman needs to travel a considerable distance to provide service to your home, they may charge extra for fuel costs.

Average Cost Of a Handyman

The average price for a handyman ranges from $50 to $150 per hour.

Here are some electrical projects along with their average costs for an electrical handyman. However, it is always advisable to inquire about prices from different handymen in your area.

Project	Average cost
TV Mounting	$150-$350
Replacing a light fixture	$65-$250
Holiday Light Installation	$220-$680
Ceiling Fan Installation, Thermostat Installation, Light Bulb Replacement	$75-$250

Cost-Saving Tips for Hiring an Electrical Handyman

DIY electrical projects can pose greater risks and expenses over time. Hiring an electrical handyman is a cost-effective solution in the long term. To help reduce your expenses when hiring a handyman, here are a few cost-saving tips you may want to consider:

Obtain quotes and pricing from as many handymen as possible in your area. Be sure to consider their expertise and reviews from previous customers.
Detail your project completely, including the tools and materials needed.
Make a proposal that includes photos of your issue for further clarification and to avoid confusion later.
Aim to hire a handyman for a substantial amount of electrical work at once. This way, you won’t incur travel charges and flat fees for each visit.
Always acquire the necessary tools and materials before the handyman arrives.

Conclusion

An electrical handyman is the best alternative to professional electricians for small electrical jobs and repairs. Whether it’s installing and repairing ceiling fans, light fixtures, faulty wiring, outlets, electrical components for security systems, TV mounting, or maintaining air conditioners, a handyman can handle it. However, for complete house rewiring, upgrading electrical panels, or any electrical work involving wiring, it is mandatory to hire a qualified electrician according to local regulations. The cost of hiring an electrical handyman depends on various factors such as materials used, project complexity, location, whether it’s an emergency or scheduled for the weekend, travel fees, and the handyman’s experience. It is always advisable to hire a handyman instead of attempting electrical work yourself, as this can lead to accidental injuries and even house fires.

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What Services Can An Electrician Handyman Offer?