Why DEhandyfix Prefers Project Pricing Over Hourly Billing
- May 14
- 2 min read
By Dave – DEhandyfix
If you’ve ever driven past a construction zone and wondered how the same small section of road seems to take weeks to finish, you’re not alone.
Running DEhandyfix has changed the way I look at work, efficiency, and how jobs are priced.
One thing I’ve learned over the years is this:
How a job is priced often affects how the job is approached.
A lot of work in the world is billed hourly. In some situations, hourly billing makes complete sense — especially for diagnostics, troubleshooting, unknown conditions, or large open-ended projects.
But for many handyman and home repair projects, I often prefer project-based pricing whenever possible.
Why?
Because I believe customers should benefit from experience and efficiency.
Project Pricing Creates Clear Expectations
One of the biggest advantages of project pricing is clarity.
Instead of wondering how many hours something will take, customers know the price upfront.
That means:
No watching the clock
No wondering how fast or slow work is moving
No surprise hourly totals at the end
No stress over every small delay
Everyone understands the scope, the goal, and the expected outcome before the work begins.
Efficiency Should Benefit the Customer
Over time, experience teaches tradespeople how to work smarter.
You learn:
Better techniques
Faster workflows
Better tools
Better materials
How to avoid mistakes
How to plan jobs properly
In my opinion, if someone becomes more efficient because of years of experience, the customer should benefit from that.
The goal shouldn’t be to stretch a 2-day project into 5 days.
The goal should be:
Show up prepared
Work efficiently
Do quality work
Finish properly
That doesn’t mean rushing.
There’s a big difference between working efficiently and cutting corners.
Fast Doesn’t Mean Sloppy
Some people hear the word “efficient” and immediately think rushed work.
That’s not what I mean.
Good workmanship still takes time.
Proper prep still matters.
Quality materials still matter.
Attention to detail still matters.
A repair that fails six months later because someone skipped prep work isn’t efficient — it just creates a bigger problem later.
At DEhandyfix, I’d rather take the time to do something properly than leave behind a temporary fix that causes more headaches down the road.
Why I Still Use Hourly Pricing Sometimes
To be fair, not every project can be quoted as a fixed price.
Some situations involve hidden issues or unknown conditions behind walls, under flooring, or inside older homes.
In those situations, hourly pricing can be the most honest and practical option.
The key is transparency.
I always try to explain:
What’s known
What’s unknown
What could affect pricing
What the customer can realistically expect
Communication matters just as much as the repair itself.
The Goal Is Simple
At the end of the day, my approach is pretty straightforward:
Respect people’s time
Respect people’s money
Work efficiently
Do quality work
Leave repairs that last
That’s the standard I try to bring to every project.
Whether it’s drywall repair, trim work, caulking, door adjustments, rotten wood replacement, or general home repairs, I believe customers deserve honest workmanship and clear expectations.
Because doing it properly the first time almost always costs less than fixing bad repairs later.
— Dave
DEhandyfix
