RateDeed for handymen
Get handyman jobs, paid through escrow
Homeowners pay into escrow before you start, and you are paid as they approve each milestone. There is no subscription and you never pay for leads: RateDeed keeps a flat 5% of the milestones that are released, and nothing on work that is not.
- handymen listed on RateDeed
- 3,276
- cities with listings
- 635
- only on released milestones
- 5%
- subscription or lead fees
- $0
How you get paid
- A homeowner requests a quote; you send it through RateDeed.
- They accept and pay into escrow at checkout, before the work starts. You can see that the job is funded.
- Larger projects are split into milestones: 30% deposit, 30% midpoint and 40% completion. Smaller jobs are paid as one escrowed payment.
- When the homeowner releases a milestone, your payout is typically started within two business days, less the 5% platform fee and the payment processing cost itemized at checkout.
What a $10,000 job looks like
| Milestone | Released | 5% fee | To you |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deposit (30%) | $3,000 | $150 | $2,850 |
| Midpoint (30%) | $3,000 | $150 | $2,850 |
| Completion (40%) | $4,000 | $200 | $3,800 |
| Total | $10,000 | $500 | $9,500 |
Before payment processing (typically 2.9% + $0.30 for cards, or bank ACH rates), which is itemized at checkout. Fees as set out in the Terms of Service, section 9.
What you need to get verified
- Your legal company name and entity type
- Your trade, and your state contractor license number and issuing authority where the trade is licensed
- A general liability insurance certificate
- Workers' compensation coverage where your state requires it
- Your tax ID
Not sure who licenses handymen in your state? See the licensing board for every state. Read how RateDeed verifies contractors.
Where maintenance and repair workers earn the most
- Kahului-Wailuku, HI$30.76/hr
- San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA$30.59/hr
- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$30.39/hr
- Fairbanks-College, AK$30.06/hr
- Napa, CA$29.74/hr
Median hourly wage for employed workers: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. All 130 metro areas.
Where RateDeed lists the most handymen
See how your city's page looks to homeowners, and claim your listing if you are on it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about hiring contractors
Does it cost anything to join RateDeed as a handyman?
There is no subscription and no charge per lead. RateDeed deducts a flat 5% platform fee from each milestone payout, and only on milestones the homeowner releases. Card or bank processing costs are itemized at checkout.
When do I get paid?
The homeowner funds escrow at checkout, before work starts. When they release a milestone, the payout is typically initiated within two business days; after that, timing depends on your bank.
What do I need to get verified?
Your legal company name and entity type, your trade, your state contractor license numbers and issuing authorities where your trade is licensed, a general liability insurance certificate, workers’ compensation where required, and your tax ID.
What happens if a homeowner disputes a milestone?
Funds for that milestone stay in escrow while the objection is handled under RateDeed’s Dispute Resolution Policy, which uses the project agreement, milestone photos and platform messages as the record.
My business is already listed. How do I claim it?
Find your business on RateDeed, open its profile and choose “Claim”. Once verified, you can add photos, services and hours, quote jobs and get paid through escrow.
Ready to quote handyman jobs?
No subscription, no lead fees. 5% only when a milestone is released.
Other trades: Plumbers, Electricians, HVAC, Roofers, Home Builders, Carpenters, Painters, Landscapers, Cleaners.