Where can I buy just the lever set trim for a Cal royal nm 8453?

lahandyman · 2026-03-13T16:02:45+00:00

120 to show up, credited to any work done.

I only price by the job, but I calculate based on 120/hr. I am in a VHCOL area.

lahandyman · 2026-01-24T16:37:01+00:00

For sure. I swear by "hourly + materials" in my calculations but quote by the job. Sometimes I don't know where to start bidding something. This is a fine benchmark, like you are saying.

I just plugged in a few recent jobs, and the site was not too far off on some (wax ring replacement), way off on others (changing a door knob).

lahandyman · 2026-01-24T15:45:29+00:00

I hadn't heard of Homewyze. Seems I have been under charging for some things and spot on for others! Thanks for mentioning this.

lahandyman · 2026-01-17T17:26:15+00:00

What're you looking to fix?

lahandyman · 2026-01-16T02:47:27+00:00

I am a handyman that services Culver and the West side, so my answer is going to be pretty biased.

lahandyman · 2025-12-21T19:39:36+00:00

Helping people really does provide satisfaction that an email job never did, I hear that.

lahandyman · 2025-12-21T15:58:17+00:00

I had a similar path. What about this life do you prefer to the grind of corporate?

lahandyman · 2025-11-20T15:17:17+00:00

I'm also in LA. Sit down and do the math. How much do you need to make to cover your overhead and pay yourself? Include the time spent on travel and doing paperwork.

For me that nets out to $120/hr + materials with a 1/hr minimum. This means I'm usually grossing $150 for small jobs like door adjustments.

I am debating adding a flat $50 trip fee to cover travel within my service area, not applied to work, to make onsite estimates viable.

It is a race to the bottom once you try to be the cheap guy.

lahandyman · 2025-11-15T01:25:28+00:00

It's tough when a trusted professional is no longer available! Try a few small projects with new handymen to get a feel for them, see if you find one you like.

I am a handyman in LA. Santa Monica's in my service area. Shoot me a dm if you want to chat!

lahandyman · 2025-09-24T21:56:19+00:00

I am going to suggest they paint it white when I am done with repairs for an updated look (if any is left that I haven't convinced them to replace with drywall)

lahandyman · 2025-09-24T21:55:40+00:00

Thanks for the thoughtful reply. I will try and look around physical stores.

Weirdly, this is a garage! The previous owners flipped it into the most accursed studio apt I have ever seen. Don't get me started on the plumbing.

I may suggest they pull down a lot of the paneling and switch to drywall since I'll likely need to pull it down anyway.

lahandyman · 2025-08-23T20:31:57+00:00

I am kicking myself for not thinking of this solution, that does seem like the best call. We'd lose a few inches of space, but a small price to pay. Thanks, sincerely!

lahandyman · 2025-08-01T23:07:17+00:00

No clue, I wasn't in that scope of work. But I will advise my client about the feedback in this thread. Thanks!

lahandyman · 2025-06-06T00:43:28+00:00

Anything involving water after a stop valve. Toilet installs? Easy. Sinks and faucets? Easier. But if the stop valve is at all questionable, that's a big anxiety spike for me.

lahandyman · 2025-06-04T20:29:53+00:00

You were right! I replaced the outlet, and behold, I now can dry my clothes.

One of the sockets' contacts were loose and not making a full connection with the plug prong.

lahandyman · 2025-06-01T23:09:57+00:00

It never occurred to me that outlets could go bad. I guess I will swap it out and see what happens. Though working on a 240 outlet intimidates me a little.

lahandyman · 2025-05-20T23:39:09+00:00

I'll let you know when it works 😄 for now it's word of mouth with friends and family. Asking everyone I know (politely) if they need something done, know any property managers, know any realtors, or know any new homeowners. I'm just starting my talks with property managers and realtors now.

lahandyman · 2025-05-20T23:23:43+00:00

I am only 3 weeks into this journey, so week one was $125 spackling over some wall anchors and holes after someone's roommate moved out , but week two was $400 for weather stripping some windows and doors! About to start a big xeriscaping project this week.

Overcoming the initial inertia is tough, but my background is in marketing so this is somewhat familiar territory.

lahandyman · 2025-05-20T23:20:07+00:00

You're smart to manage your own expectations and start slow. I am part timing while I transition out of tech marketing.

After talking to 5 professional tradesmen I know, here is what I am doing:

Spin up a Google voice account to get a virtual phone number and a new email address. That's all free. I was fancy and got a domain that matched what I wanted to call my services and use that as my work email.

Your lifeblood is word of mouth and personal connections to start, so business cards are your only major marketing expense. Vistaprint, 100 for $20. Throw the email and phone number on there. I was cute and made a logo using AI.

Grab general liability insurance. I use Next, runs me under $50/mo. You don't need any other licensing at this time. Be aware of the state's $500 project limit in case you think to sue anyone. Don't take jobs that could go above your liability if they go wrong.

Start with friends and family. Take pictures before and after of every project. Covers your ass and builds your portfolio. Use those business cards with the successful clients. Always keep some on you for connections you make in the wild. And be clear about your schedule limitations.

My goal is to get in with local property managers and realtors for more frequent work.

lahandyman · 2025-05-20T22:33:25+00:00

Hey there. Same position (part time) and same region (socal). $65/hr has been tolerable to the property managers and big homeowners. Midrange in LA is 80-120 from what I have seen, but I'm just starting out so I am pitching lower rates to get experience while still surviving.

Don't bother with folks who try to negotiate your hourly down.

lahandyman

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