How Much Should I Pay a Handyman Per Hour in the UK?

If you're researching who to hire for a TV wall mounting job, you may have come across general handymen who charge by the hour. It sounds simple enough — but is an hourly rate actually the best way to pay for this kind of work? And what should you expect to pay?

In this guide we'll break down typical handyman rates across the UK and the West Midlands, and explain why — for TV wall mounting specifically — a fixed-price specialist is almost always the smarter, more cost-effective choice.

Typical Handyman Hourly Rates in the UK (2025)

Most handymen also charge a minimum call-out fee, typically equivalent to 1–2 hours of their time — meaning even a simple job often starts at £60–£100 before they've done anything. And if they're unfamiliar with your particular wall type or TV setup, that simple job can easily stretch to 2–3 hours.

The Problem with Hourly Rates for TV Mounting

Hourly billing creates an unfortunate dynamic: the less efficient the tradesperson, the more you pay. A general handyman who mounts TVs occasionally might take 2–3 hours on a job that a specialist completes in under an hour. At £40/hr, that's the difference between £40 and £120 — for exactly the same end result.

There are a few specific issues with using a general handyman for TV mounting:

• Wall type knowledge: Plasterboard, new build walls and chimney breasts all require specialist fixings and techniques. A general handyman may not have the right fixings in the van — adding time (and cost) while they source them.
• No laser level: Many handymen don't carry a laser level, so getting the TV perfectly centred and level takes significantly longer — or the result is slightly off.
• Cable management: Hiding cables neatly is a skill. A handyman unfamiliar with the process can make a mess of trunking or damage plaster when attempting in-wall concealment.
• Unpredictable final cost: With hourly billing, you genuinely don't know what you'll pay until the job is done. That's not a comfortable position to be in.

Real-World Cost Comparison

Here's how the maths often plays out for a typical TV mounting job in Birmingham:

Handyman vs TV Mounting Specialist — The Full Picture

Why Fixed-Price Per Job Is Simply Better

1. You Know What You're Paying

When we quote you a price for your TV installation, that's what you pay. We don't start the clock when we arrive and stop it when we leave. You get a clear, honest price upfront — and that's that. No awkward conversation at the end about it taking longer than expected.

2. We're Incentivised to Do a Great Job, Not a Slow One

With hourly billing, there's no real incentive to be efficient. With a fixed price, our reputation depends entirely on the quality of the finish — not how long it takes. Every job we do is a potential Google review or a recommendation to a neighbour. That keeps our standards consistently high.

3. You Get a Specialist, Not a Generalist

A general handyman turns their hand to all sorts of jobs — plumbing, carpentry, decorating, flatpack assembly. TV mounting might be one of dozens of things they do. We mount TVs across Birmingham and the West Midlands every single day. We know every wall type, every bracket, every cable management solution. The difference in the quality of the finished result is usually very noticeable.

4. Peace of Mind

Knowing that your TV is safely and securely mounted — by someone who does this daily, using the correct fixings for your specific wall — is genuinely valuable. A large TV that isn't properly secured is a real safety risk. Getting that right isn't a place to cut corners.

Frequently Asked Questions