Handyman in New Territories

As a rule of thumb in most markets: hanging a shelf or a few pictures is under an hour; mounting a TV is 1-1.5 hours; re-sealing a bath is 1-2 hours; adjusting or rehanging a door is about an hour. Multiply by the local hourly rate on this page and add materials. If a quote for one such task equals a half-day rate, get a second quote.

Yes — this is core handyman work: filling wall holes, touch-up painting, replacing broken fittings, easing doors, re-sealing silicone. Give the handyman the landlord's or agent's inspection list directly, and keep the invoice — it is evidence of remediation if the deposit is disputed.

Most handymen charge either a call-out fee that covers travel plus the first 30-60 minutes, or a minimum of 1-2 hours' labor. That is legitimate — travel and setup are real costs. What is not standard: a call-out fee plus full-price first hour plus a materials 'handling' surcharge stacked together. Ask for the all-in price for your task list before booking.

Even for small jobs, get in writing: the task list, the rate model (hourly with estimated hours, or fixed), materials included or excluded, call-out fee if any, and who disposes of waste. For fixed quotes, confirm what happens if hidden problems appear (e.g. rotten wall behind a shelf) — the honest answer is 'I stop and requote'.

Per-task pricing is standard: drilling and mounting HK$200-$500 per item, door lock replacement HK$400-$800, tap or flush repairs HK$300-$700. A half-day of batched work runs HK$800-$1,500. Call-out minimums of HK$300-$500 are common on Hong Kong Island.

Management offices can enforce deed-of-mutual-covenant rules: contractor registration at the front desk, work restricted to weekday hours, and protective coverings in common areas. Book the registration a day ahead and tell your handyman the building's rules to avoid a wasted trip.