FairangeHandyman · NC
Handyman costs in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
Last updated from data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · PPI construction materials 2026-09 · estimates only
How this market compares
Skip the generic national blog post — this page is the Durham-Chapel Hill Handyman slice of OEWS May 2025.
Among 530 OEWS areas with published Handyman wages, Durham-Chapel Hill ranks #159 nationally on mean hourly pay ($25.94). Compared with other NC areas that report Handyman wages, this market is #2 of 18. Hourly wages stretch from $17.67 (10th percentile) to $36.11 (90th). That $18.44 gap is why two bids on the same scope can still look honest.
Local employment for this SOC is roughly 2,830 workers (OEWS May 2025). Nationwide that occupation is about 1,529,700. Sample jobs: Garage Door Replacement mid estimate $1,159 here vs $1,157 U.S. (0% above); Garage Door Spring Repair mid estimate $236 here vs $235 U.S. (0% above); Gutter Cleaning mid estimate $156 here vs $155 U.S. (0% above).
Same-state comparison: Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia ($26.02, 0.08 higher); Raleigh-Cary ($25.24, 0.70 lower); Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton ($24.58, 1.36 lower).
Local tip: Local code, permit fees, and how busy crews are this month move numbers as much as wage rates do.
Sample project ranges
| Project | Low | Mid | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garage Door Replacement | $592 | $1,159 | $2,684 |
| Garage Door Spring Repair | $93 | $236 | $561 |
| Gutter Cleaning | $53 | $156 | $446 |
| Pressure Washing (driveway & siding visit) | $86 | $229 | $592 |
| Handyman Hourly (general) | $35 | $58 | $90 |
What usually moves the number
- Scope surprises: duct repairs, panel upgrades, extra roof layers.
- How booked local crews are this season.
- Materials choices — we only nudge materials with a dampened regional factor. See methodology.
Rebates (verify; don’t trust a random Facebook ad)
Check IRS, ENERGY STAR, and DSIRE for any incentives that apply to this project. Start with IRS, ENERGY STAR, and DSIRE.
Getting quotes without the circus
- Screenshot our mid/low/high band.
- Ask three licensed, insured pros for written scopes.
- Compare exclusions — permits, haul-away, thermostats, flashing — before crowning a winner.
Check our math
BLS OEWS May 2025 · local hourly means the calculator uses
| Handyman (49-9071) | $25.94/hr mean |
Source: official BLS OEWS data for this area · area index: oessrcma.htm.
Contractor markup (2.0× / 2.25× / 2.5×) and the regional materials factor are ours — see methodology.
Paid listing for Durham-Chapel Hill, NC Handyman. Partner.
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