A handyperson usually has the flexibility to charge on an hourly or flat-rate basis. Before you ask, look at how the two differ.  Suppose a job takes three hours to complete. At $75 per hour, you’ll spend $225. If they price the same job at a flat rate of $300, the rate is effectively $100 an hour, but this can save you money overall if the job takes longer than expected. Use your knowledge of the job and its potential pitfalls to weigh each option before deciding which one works best for you.