Raising my handyman rates after seeing this wild Instagram reel on tips and tricks

So I'm scrolling through Instagram last night and stumble on this reel from some handyman account showing 'the best tips and tricks known to mankind' - stuff like using a Milwaukee M12 drill for quick cabinet installs and a cheap plumbing snake for drain clears. Been doing handyman gigs around the greater Atlanta area for 8 years now, mostly small jobs like drywall patches and deck repairs, but damn if it didn't make me think about my pricing. Last year I was charging $75 an hour for basic fixes, but with lumber prices still up and gas being a killer, I'm bumping it to $95 starting next month. The reel had this one hack with zip ties for securing loose fixtures that I use all the time, but clients still nickel and dime you. Anyone else raising rates and how do you break the news without losing jobs? Saw a similar rant in Handyman Nation FB group about it.

Just print new business cards with the updated rate and let the market sort itself out.

Man, I feel you on the gas prices eating into profits.

Same here, been quoting higher and some clients walk but the good ones stay.

How do you handle the ones who say 'but you were cheaper last time'?

Bump it 20% and offer a loyalty discount for repeat customers.

Don't undersell yourself, those tips in the reel are gold but time is money.

Watch out for the cheapskates who'll ghost you after the increase.

I raised mine last summer and my schedule filled up faster.

Those Instagram reels make it look easy, but real jobs take longer than 30 seconds.

Totally get the frustration with pushback.

Proud to say I hit 6 figures last year after my rate hike.

Explain the why - higher material costs, insurance up, etc.

ServiceTitan users, use their pricing templates to justify it.

Clients in my area just nod and pay more now.

Those PE rollups are jacking up competition rates anyway.

Never announce it, just quote higher on the next job.

I feel that, been dreading telling my regulars.

Walked into a pricing nightmare last week with an old client.

Same boat, raised for fence repairs and half bailed.

Try bundling services at the new rate to sweeten it.

Insurance alone went up 30% for me this year.

Out here the demand is high enough they accept it.

We all hate the insurance vampires sucking us dry.

Don't drop below $90 or you'll regret it long term.

Totally, quality handymen are worth it.

Haha, my last rate talk ended with the client tipping extra.

Client tried to haggle on a shelf install, I walked.

Found a better gig the next day.

Those Atlanta traffic jams make every job take longer anyway.

We handymen gotta stick together on this.

LOL, just tell 'em it's the Instagram tax for all those pro tips.

My back can't take lowball jobs anymore.

Haha yeah, worth every penny of the raise.

Buddy in the group lost a big client over it, don't be that guy.

I sympathize, it's tough breaking the news.

One client said 'fine' and doubled their referrals.

The cheap ones weren't worth the headache.

Everyone's pissed at the big box stores hiking tool prices too.

Hit $120k this year post-raise, no regrets.

Those corporate handyman services are charging double anyway.

Man, I hate negotiating with tightwads.

Just do it and filter out the bad fits.

Watched a Tommy Mello vid on pricing, he says raise and raise often.

Client ghosted me after I quoted the new rate for gutter cleaning.

Happens, but the payers make up for it.

We deserve better pay for the crap we deal with.

SharkBite fittings or not, rates gotta cover tools.

Totally feel the burnout from low rates.

One guy tried to pay in IOUs, I was out.

Don't warn 'em, just implement.

Proud of my crew for sticking with the increase.

How'd you phrase the email announcement?

Itemized the cost breakdown in the quote.

Yeah, that shuts down most complaints.

I get it, raising rates feels risky.

Watch for the ones who come crawling back.

Big corps are killing independent handymen with their low bids.

SharkBites are trash for anything load-bearing, btw.