Handyman & Home Repair and Renovation Services
Diagnostic Visit:$125
Service Minimum:$250
Diagnostic is required to book; applied to same-day approved work. Includes travel, assessment, documentation, and minor repairs when feasible (up to ~60 minutes).
Multiple services completed in the same visit may qualify for a bundled discount. If new requests require a separate trip, an additional dispatch fee may apply.
Free Estimate vs. Paid Diagnostic
We’re happy to provide free online estimates when you send clear photos and a written description of your project.
If we need to visit your home to properly scope the work, a diagnostic/trip fee applies. This covers scheduling resources, travel, on-site evaluation, professional recommendations, and documentation. If you approve work during the same visit, the diagnostic is credited to the job.
Worried about paying before we arrive? Our reputation is built on trust (and reviews). If your photos/descriptions show the job is outside our scope, we’ll tell you before any paid visit so you can avoid unnecessary costs.
Quick guide: Free estimate = photos + description. Paid diagnostic = in-person assessment.
Diagnostic/Dispatch: $175
Service Minimum: $300
Urgent / Out-of-Area: Response needed within 48 hours or outside Erie County, PA → 1.5× diagnostic & minimum.
Diagnostic/dispatch is required to schedule. Covers dispatch, travel, site assessment, photos, and a written estimate; credited to same-visit approved work.
When multiple tasks can be completed efficiently in one visit, we bundle for value. Additional trips for new scopes or access constraints may require a new dispatch fee.
Why commercial pricing differs
- Coordination & approvals: Site manager/tenant communication, vendor portals, NTE compliance.
- Paperwork & onboarding: W-9/COI, set-up, photos, reports, and status updates.
- Scheduling complexity: Access rules, windows, safety and policy requirements.
- Risk & liability: Added documentation and responsibility on commercial properties.
Free Estimate vs. Paid Diagnostic
Whether you’re a property manager or facility coordinator, we can provide free remote estimates when you share clear photos and a written scope.
When a site visit is necessary to scope the project, a diagnostic/dispatch fee applies. It covers scheduling and dispatch, travel, on-site evaluation, documentation (photos/report), and a written estimate. If work proceeds during that visit, the diagnostic is credited to the job.
If your materials indicate the request is outside our scope or requires licensed trades, we’ll advise you before a paid visit to save time and cost.
Quick guide: Free estimate = photos + written scope. Paid diagnostic = on-site assessment and documentation.
- Urgent commercial responses (< 48 hours) or service outside Erie County: 1.5× diagnostic & minimum.
- Diagnostic/dispatch is required to book and is credited when work proceeds during the same visit.
Interior Services
- General Repairs & Maintenance – Doors, hardware, drywall touch-ups, trim fixes, caulking, squeaky floors, smoke detectors, etc.
- Drywall & Wall Repair – Small patches to full panel replacement, taping, sanding, and texture blending.
- Painting & Finishing – Spot touch-ups, door/trim painting, single-room repaints.
- Electrical Fixtures – Light fixtures, fans, outlets, and switches. No full rewires or knob & tube.
- Plumbing Fixtures – Faucet swaps, toilet installation, shower mixing valves, minor leaks, and garbage disposals. No mainline or rough-in plumbing.
- Furniture & Fixture Assembly – Flat-pack furniture, storage racks, closet systems, bed frames, and more.
- Mounting & Custom Installs – TV mounts, shelves, curtain rods, mirrors, whiteboards, and specialty items.
Carpentry & Trim Work
- Doors & Windows – Install pre-hung doors, storm doors, weatherstripping, and basic window replacement (non-structural).
- Light Carpentry – Non-load-bearing framing, shelving, stair repairs, fascia, soffit, and railings.
Exterior & Specialty Services
- Decks, Ramps & Steps – Build or repair small decks, access ramps, entry stairs, or porch railings.
- Demolition & Haul-Away – Sheds, fences, hot tubs, interior demo. Disposal Fee:$250/load. Larger containers will be rented based on location and price.
- Exterior Repairs & Storm Damage – Porch and skirting repair, siding patches, trim rot, flashing, and storm debris cleanup.
- Rental Turnover / Property Maintenance – Move-out punch lists, fixture replacements, minor repairs, and trash-out services.
What We Don't Do
We do not perform roof replacement, major plumbing or electrical work requiring licensure, full HVAC, chimney work, foundation structural repair, or any work we are not insured for. For these, we can refer you to trusted licensed professionals.
Note: Pricing is based on complexity, access, and materials. Free estimates with pictures and descriptions emailed or texted to us. Estimates are not binding but serve as a helpful planning range. Final pricing is determined at the diagnostic visit. If we uncover unforeseen conditions (e.g., structural damage, pest issues, code violations), the estimate may need to be updated accordingly.
View Service Disclaimers (Residential)
View Terms & Conditions (Residential) | View Terms & Conditions (Commercial)
Service Disclaimers
- All work must comply with the current editions of applicable code books as adopted by Erie County, PA (including the International Residential Code and Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code).
- Current proof of insurance and W9 is kept on file and available upon request.
- No work requiring permits will be undertaken without appropriate permitting unless legally exempt.
- We are not a master plumber or certified electrician. Some projects legally require these licensed specialists. In such cases, we will not proceed outside of what is permitted and will refer you accordingly.
- Online estimates are free when photos and a clear description are provided. However, we cannot accurately price work we cannot see. Unexpected conditions discovered during the job may affect final pricing.
- Light disposal is limited to a 1-ton maximum. Larger demo jobs may require a rented waste container based on the lowest available rate for your area. You may opt to rent one yourself for us to fill. Please note that undersized units are the client's responsibility. If a second unit is required due to size limitations, we are only responsible if we made the original rental decision. On-street drop-offs may require local permits depending on your municipality.
- 3rd-party clients are encouraged to email a work order with photos and address details to info@tinkeringtoolbox.com.
- We may refer you to trusted specialists for projects beyond our scope, but we are not affiliated with these businesses and cannot guarantee their workmanship or availability.
Service Terms & Conditions
Tinkering Toolbox LLC is a licensed and insured Pennsylvania contractor. We provide residential and commercial repair services, facility maintenance, and home preservation work throughout Erie County and surrounding areas.
PA HICPA Registration #: PA166273
General Terms (Applies to All Clients)
- Service Visit & Labor
Standard service visit includes a diagnosis and up to 1 hour of labor (includes travel, assessment, minor repairs when feasible, and documentation). If no repair is performed, a $125 diagnostic/dispatch fee applies. - Dispatch Fee Policy
Dispatch payments are required at the time of scheduling, unless other written arrangements are made in advance. - Pricing Structure
Rates reflect a combination of industry standards and actual operational costs, including licensing, insurance, labor, tools, fuel, and administrative office time. We maintain legal and ethical profitability and do not compete with unlicensed or underinsured providers. We do not price match due to quality, control, and skill inconsistencies. - Parts & Return Visits
Non-stock parts may require a return visit, billed separately. Materials are subject to markup for handling and warranty support. - Payment Terms
Payment is due upon receipt unless pre-approved terms are in place. Invoices include before/after photos and technician notes for documentation. - Change Orders
All changes to the original scope of work must be documented in a signed change order approved by both parties before any additional work begins. - Warranty Disclaimer
Unless otherwise stated in writing: (a) diagnostic-only visits, temporary stabilizations, and client-provided materials are not warrantied; (b) workmanship is warrantied only for the defined scope of work when we supply materials and the site is maintained per our instructions. - Liability & Access
Client must provide clear and safe access to all work areas. Tinkering Toolbox is not responsible for delays caused by blocked access, unsafe conditions, or uncooperative occupants (including pets). We are not liable for pre-existing conditions or concealed issues discovered during service. - Environmental & Disposal Fees
Jobs requiring cleanup, debris hauling, or hazardous material disposal may incur additional fees which will be disclosed in the estimate. - Cancellation & Rescheduling
Appointments canceled with less than 24 hours’ notice may be subject to a $75 cancellation fee. Dispatch fees are non-refundable unless otherwise agreed in writing.
Residential Clients (PA HICPA Compliance)
- Deposits & Contracts
For any job exceeding $500, a written contract is required, including: total contract price and payment schedule; estimated start and completion dates; detailed description of services and materials; and our contractor registration number (PA166273). We do not collect more than one-third of the total price or the cost of special-order materials as a deposit, in compliance with Pennsylvania law. - Consumer Right to Cancel
For contracts over $500, clients have a 3 business day right to cancel from the date of signing, per the PA Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act (HICPA). Cancellation must be submitted in writing.
Commercial / 3rd-Party Terms & Conditions
- Payment & Scheduling
We are pay upon completion for standard service work. A diagnostic/dispatch fee is required in advance to secure a booking. For urgent commercial responses (within 48 hours) or projects outside Erie County, the diagnostic and minimum service rates are billed at 1.5×. Commercial base labor rates are reflected in our card pricing. - Work Order Requirements
All work orders must be submitted in writing via email or text with a clear scope and location details; photos and/or a PDF are strongly preferred. We cannot accept work orders by phone alone. Calls are welcome for coordination, but processing begins only after written submission and acknowledgment of these Terms. - Scope & Site Information
Jobs expected to exceed 2–3 hours or any request without a clearly defined scope and photos will require a separate diagnostic visit prior to starting work. We cannot bid what we cannot see, and site investigation cannot be performed without compensation. - Exceptions
Occasional exceptions may be made during slow periods or for established clients with accurate histories and timely payment; acceptance is at our sole discretion. - Purpose of These Policies
These procedures ensure accurate pricing, reduce miscommunication, and allow efficient allocation of resources — protecting both your budget and our schedule.