How to Write a Job List for a Handyman
A step-by-step method for writing a clear handyman job list with photos, measurements and priorities so you get an accurate quote and an efficient visit.
A good job list is the cheapest tool you can give a handyman. It speeds up the quote, reduces the contingency added for unknowns and makes the day itself run smoothly. A vague list does the opposite. Here is how to write one that works.
Why the list matters
When a handyman quotes, they are pricing time and risk. If the brief is "a few jobs around the house", they must guess at both and tend to guess high. If the brief says "hang a 90 cm mirror on a brick wall in the hall, fixings supplied", they can price it exactly. Clear lists produce tighter prices and fewer arguments.
The basic structure
Use a numbered list, one task per line. For each task include:
- Where: the room and the wall, door or fitting
- What: the action, in plain words
- Size or quantity: measurements, number of items, make and model
- Materials: whether you or the handyman will supply them
- Notes: anything that could affect the work, such as wall type or access
Example:
1. Hallway: hang one mirror, approx 90 x 60 cm, around 8 kg, brick wall. Mirror and fixings supplied by me. 2. Bedroom 2: assemble wardrobe (two door, 180 cm tall), fix to wall. Boxes are in the room. 3. Bathroom: reseal bath where it meets the tiles, white silicone. Old sealant has mould. 4. Kitchen: tighten loose cupboard door and adjust hinges, third door from the left.
Add photos and measurements
A photo replaces a hundred words. Take:
- A wide shot of the room, so the handyman sees the context
- A close-up of the specific item or problem
- A shot with a tape measure, if size matters
For a door, note whether it sticks at the top or bottom. For a leak, note whether it is a drip, a weep or a flow. For flat-pack, photograph the box label and ideally name the product.
Prioritise
Mark each item as "must", "should" or "if time". If the day runs short, the handyman knows what to do first. A priority order also helps when you compare a day rate to individual pricing, as in the handyman day rate guide.
Separate things that need a specialist
Check your list for items that are not handyman jobs. Gas appliances, new circuits and structural changes should not be on it. Keep them on a separate list for the right trade. The reasons are explained in jobs a handyman should not do.
Describe the conditions
Short notes help the handyman prepare:
- Access: stairs, parking, lift, narrow hallway
- Surfaces: lime plaster, tiled walls, old wood, new plasterboard
- Constraints: a baby sleeping at lunchtime, a pet that needs to stay in one room, noise limits in a flat
- Timing: whether you will be home, and whether you can leave a key (only if you are confident, and only with someone you have chosen carefully)
Be honest about uncertainty
If you do not know what is wrong, say so. "Tap drips from the spout when off, no idea why" is more useful than guessing "needs a new tap". The handyman can then allow diagnosis time or propose to quote after the first inspection. Pretending to know often leads to the wrong part being bought.
Keep the list alive
After the first draft, add things as you notice them and cross things off. Send the final version at least a day before the visit. If you add something on the day, check the price first.
Using it on Compito
When you create a request on Compito, paste the list into the description along with your postcode. The offers you receive should respond to the real scope, and you can ask questions by message. Because the list is part of the written request, it is easy to refer back to when the offer arrives. For comparing offers, see how to compare handyman quotes.
Common mistakes
- Listing a problem rather than a task ("bathroom is a mess")
- Leaving out access and parking
- Forgetting to say who supplies materials
- Mixing different trades with no priority
- Changing the list without telling anyone
Frequently asked questions
How long should a list be?
As long as it needs to be, but one line per task is enough. Avoid essays. Photos and measurements are better than paragraphs.
Should I include the budget?
It can help, especially if you have a firm limit. State it as a total or per task and ask the handyman to tell you what fits.
Can I send the list after booking?
It is better before, so the price reflects it. If you must add things later, tell the handyman as early as possible.