This is a difficult question to answer since there are too many factors that contribute to a handyman's rate. I have seen average rates as low as $25 an hour to $120 an hour, depending on what part of the country you live in.  A professional handyman is more than likely running a small business and like any business, there are costs related to running a business. A handy guy with tools doing side jobs will have less overhead and thus  a lower rate.

A professional handyman will generally take more pride in his work and as a small business owner should understand basic business facts: good work equals more work, bad work equal unemployment. You will generally have a better result from an experience handyman. That's not to say you can't find a good part timer out there but they are very elusive. In general, professional handymen understand that quality is key to longevity.

How much should you pay for a handyman? That depends on how much you are willing to pay for good service. How much is it worth to you? Generally, an hourly rate between $35 to $55 is normal. Some handymen bid the project rather than offer an hourly rate. If you want a handyman to come out, bring his tools, provide good service for minimum wage, you are setting yourself up for a bad thing. Look for a guy that's been around for a while, is professional, guarantees his work and, more often than not, it will be a good experience. Be wary of those who promise top quality work for rock bottom rates. I have seen many handymen use that catch phrase to get work but it is impossible to provide. Top quality translates to more time on the job and that translates to more man hours. If you're willing to pay for it, great.

Unless you are a skilled handyman or contractor, the last thing you want to deal with when searching for a home is repairs. And as soon as someone tries to value your home, every major and minor detail will reduce the value of any property. But there are a few inexpensive things that you can do to raise your homes value quite a bit.

1. Cleanliness is King. A clean home is a healthy home, and the only investment is elbow grease. A dirty home is a real turn off simply in health terms. You can only imagine the bacteria and germs that may be lurking about if you don't clean on a regular basis. Potential home buyers will cringe and begin to exaggerate the situation and will want a discount or at the very least be turned off to the home and leave. A clean looking and smelling home is priceless!

2. Cut & Trim. Overgrowth in the yard is another turn off. Most people do not like working in the yard and will fight you tooth and nail for you to clean the yard or pay for someone to do it. A couple of hours of elbow grease again can yield thousands in turn.

3. Fresh Coat. A fresh coat of paint in both the exterior and interior can double and even triple, if you do it yourself, your painting investment. Old, faded and chipping paint only means that somebody will need to do it before or after the sale, and the buyer will refuse to pay for it.

4. Flooring. Nothing looks worse than a hole in the floor or tiles that pop up or even a wood floor that squeaks so bad you think someone is wearing two live racoons on their feet. The flooring is basically the foundation of the home it needs to be strong.

5. Modern Appliance. By simply adding a new set of appliances will bring that old kitchen into the 21st century. Remember that the majority of home buyers will make their decision based on the efficacy of the kitchen so make it shine.
Hope these tips help your home gain a little value.