Office Handyman Costs in London (2026): Prices, Jobs and How Long They Take

Need a screen mounted, desks assembled or a list of repairs sorted around the office?

In London, handyman services typically cost around £45 to £80 per hour, although some established providers charge more. Most apply a minimum booking charge, which means calling someone out for a 15 minute repair can cost almost as much as an hour's work.

The good news is that many everyday office jobs are relatively quick for an experienced handyman. Grouping them into one visit can save both time and money.

Here's what common office maintenance jobs should take, what they might cost and how to get the most from your booking.

How much does an office handyman cost in London?

• Hourly rate: £45 to £80, with premium services higher
• Minimum booking or first hour: £70 to £120
• Half day (up to 4 hours): £180 to £350
• Full day (up to 8 hours): £300 to £550+

These are indicative 2026 market ranges, not Clara's own rates. Materials, VAT, parking and congestion charges may be additional. Always check what's included in your quote.

For smaller jobs, the minimum charge is often more important than the hourly rate. If someone charges £90 for their first hour, you'll generally pay that whether the repair takes 15 minutes or 50.

Our advice: If you've got several small jobs, send the full list before booking. A handyman can often complete them in one visit rather than charging separate minimum fees.

How long do common office handyman jobs take?

These are practical planning estimates for an experienced professional, assuming the workspace is ready and the necessary materials are available.

• Assemble a standard office desk: 30 to 60 minutes
• Assemble an office chair: 10 to 20 minutes
• Mount a meeting room screen: 30 to 90 minutes
• Hang a picture or frame: 10 to 20 minutes when batched
• Install a whiteboard or shelf: 20 to 45 minutes
• Fit a standard roller blind: 20 to 40 minutes
• Replace a standard door handle: 15 to 30 minutes
• Fix an accessible dripping tap: 30 to 60 minutes

These are estimates, not promised completion times. Wall construction, furniture design, access and the condition of existing fittings can change the work involved.

1. Office furniture assembly

Typical time: 30 to 60 minutes for a standard desk

New desks, chairs and storage units are some of the most common jobs when an office grows or moves.

An experienced handyman can usually assemble a straightforward office chair in 10 to 20 minutes or a standard desk in 30 to 60 minutes. Larger bench systems, storage walls and furniture with integrated electrics take longer.

To speed things up:

• Have furniture delivered to the correct floor.
• Clear space for assembly.
• Share the product model or assembly instructions in advance.
• Confirm whether packaging removal is included.

If you're assembling ten identical chairs or desks, the work may be faster per item once the first one is complete.

2. TV and meeting room screen mounting

Typical time: 30 to 90 minutes per screen

A straightforward TV installation can be completed in around 30 to 60 minutes. Larger displays, complex brackets and cable concealment may take 60 to 90 minutes or longer.

Typical London prices are around £90 to £200 per screen, depending on the installation.

Before booking, confirm the screen size, bracket type, wall construction and cable requirements.

A particularly important consideration in offices is plasterboard partitioning. Large screens need suitable structural support and fixings, rather than standard wall plugs.

If new sockets or electrical alterations are required, these should be assessed and completed by an appropriately competent electrician.

3. Whiteboards, shelving, pictures and signage

Typical time: 10 to 45 minutes per item

These are ideal jobs to group into a single visit.

A professional can often hang several lightweight pictures or frames quite quickly once the positions have been agreed. Whiteboards and shelving usually take longer because they need secure mounting and accurate alignment.

The biggest time saver is deciding exactly where everything goes before the handyman arrives.

Mark positions with masking tape or provide photographs with measurements.

Also check whether your building permits drilling into walls. Some serviced offices and managed buildings require approval first.

4. Blinds and curtain rails

Typical time: 20 to 40 minutes for a standard roller blind

A straightforward roller blind installation is usually a relatively quick job.

More complicated blinds, wide windows, heavy curtain tracks or awkward wall materials can take considerably longer.

Have the blinds on site and confirm they're the correct size before making the booking.

If the existing blind is broken, describe the fault first. A damaged chain or bracket may be repairable without replacing the whole blind.

5. Doors, locks and handles

Typical time: 15 to 60 minutes for minor repairs

Loose handles, sticking doors and minor alignment problems are common in busy offices.

A straightforward handle replacement may take 15 to 30 minutes. Adjusting a misaligned door or replacing a more complicated locking mechanism can take longer.

Send photographs of the door and describe whether it sticks, fails to latch or has damaged hardware.

Important: Fire doors need particular care. Damaged closers, seals, hinges or latches can affect fire safety. These repairs should be handled by someone competent in fire door maintenance.

6. Small plumbing repairs

Typical time: 20 to 60 minutes for a straightforward fix

Dripping taps, running toilets, loose toilet seats and blocked kitchen sinks often fall into the category of small office repairs.

Examples include:

• Replacing a loose toilet seat.
• Repairing a dripping tap.
• Clearing an accessible sink trap.
• Fixing a running toilet.

The time depends on the cause and whether suitable replacement parts are available.

Send a photo of the affected fitting before booking. For taps and toilets, knowing the make or model can help avoid a second visit.

More complicated plumbing, concealed leaks and specialist installations may require a plumber rather than a general handyman.

7. Painting and minor decoration

Typical time: 30 to 90 minutes for a few small touch ups

Offices accumulate scuffed walls, marks around desks and damage from moved furniture.

Minor touch ups can be handled during a general handyman visit, provided the paint is available and the surface needs little preparation.

Larger painting jobs are different. Filling, sanding, masking, multiple coats and drying time all affect the schedule.

For repainting entire walls or rooms, we'd recommend getting a separate decorating quote rather than assuming the work fits neatly into a handyman booking.

Have the original paint colour and finish available where possible. A slightly different shade can make a small touch up more noticeable than the original mark.

8. Cable management and small office fittings

Typical time: 20 to 45 minutes for a simple workstation tidy up

Under desk cable trays, cable clips, monitor accessories and small fixtures are useful additions to a maintenance visit.

A handyman can often tidy accessible cables and install basic fittings without requiring a specialist.

The work becomes more involved where desks need moving, cable routes are concealed or electrical installations need changing.

For larger office cable installations or electrical work, use the appropriate specialist.

The smartest way to book: combine several jobs into one visit

Most offices don't have enough handyman work to justify booking someone every week.

Instead, keep a running maintenance list and book a visit when you've accumulated enough work to make it worthwhile.

Here's an example.

• Assemble two standard desks: 60 to 90 minutes
• Mount one meeting room screen: 45 to 60 minutes
• Hang a whiteboard and two pictures: 45 to 60 minutes
• Replace a standard door handle: 15 to 30 minutes

Total: 2 hours 45 minutes to 4 hours

For a straightforward office with everything ready, this could make a sensible half day booking.

The advantage isn't just the labour rate. You're also reducing the number of supplier bookings, building access arrangements and invoices to manage.

Allow some contingency, particularly for older buildings or installations requiring additional fixings.

What should you send before booking?

A little preparation can make a big difference to the number of jobs completed.

Send your handyman provider:

1. A job list: A short description and photo of every task.
2. Your office address: Include the building, floor and postcode.
3. Access details: Reception procedures, loading bays and working hours.
4. Building requirements: Any required insurance documents, risk assessments or method statements (RAMS).
5. Materials: Confirm what is already on site and what needs supplying.
6. Priorities: Identify the essential jobs in case something takes longer than expected.

Some London buildings require contractor documents to be approved before work begins. Checking this early can prevent delays on the day.

What about PAT testing?

PAT testing often appears on an office maintenance list, but it isn't a standard handyman task.

It should be arranged with someone competent to inspect and test electrical appliances.

London PAT testing commonly costs around £1 to £3 per appliance, subject to a minimum visit charge, which may be around £70 to £140.

There is no blanket legal requirement for every office appliance to undergo annual PAT testing. Employers must maintain electrical equipment safely. The appropriate inspection or testing regime depends on the risks involved.

Clara can help source the appropriate provider for PAT testing and other office safety checks separately from general handyman work.

Frequently asked questions

Is it cheaper to book an office handyman by the hour or half day?

For one straightforward repair, an hourly booking usually makes sense. For several jobs, a half day rate can offer better value, although this depends on the provider's minimum charge and the total amount of work.

Can a handyman bring materials?

Most bring tools and common fixings. Replacement parts, TV brackets, furniture and paint may need to be supplied separately. Confirm this before the visit to avoid delays or additional shopping charges.

Can handyman work be completed outside office hours?

Often, yes. Evening and weekend appointments may carry additional charges. Some buildings also restrict noisy work to particular times.

How quickly can I book an office handyman in London?

Some providers offer same day or next day appointments, depending on availability and the type of work. Larger jobs or those requiring specialist parts may need more notice.

Can one handyman complete everything on my list?

Often, but not always. General repairs, assembly and wall mounted fittings can frequently be combined. Electrical installations, specialist plumbing, fire door repairs and statutory inspections may need different contractors.

Book an office handyman through Clara

Got a list of jobs that needs sorting?

Clara helps London offices find, book and pay for trusted suppliers, from handyman services and general repairs to furniture installation and office maintenance.

Send us your list, photos or a description of what needs doing. We'll help find the right supplier and arrange a quote.

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About the author: Alex Nazaruk is the founder and CEO of Clara Office Management, a marketplace helping London offices find, book and pay for suppliers, services and events.