If you’ve got a job that’ll take a week, contractors will basically fight for it - but if it’s just something that takes a few hours, it’s apparently a real struggle to get anyone to show up.
I just installed a new kitchen sink and hooked up the faucet and dishwasher for a client. He said they had called eight plumbing companies, and all of them either refused outright or said they’d get back to it but never did. One company agreed to come install it but wouldn’t do the hole in the countertop for the sink, so they would’ve needed to hire a carpenter separately - and you can imagine how thrilled a carpenter would be about a job that takes less than an hour.
This is an incredibly common story among my customers. I’m a plumber by training, but when I went self-employed, I expanded my services to cover all kinds of handyman work. Clearly, I’m filling a niche, considering the amount of gratitude I’m getting from customers. I literally received a gift basket from one just last week. I should’ve made the jump a decade ago.
I do everything myself, and it’s led to being able to handyman if I need some cash. Contractor pricing is insane for something that’s never as difficult as it seems. Hell last night I installed a side door on my garage because I had an extra door I ripped out of the house last year. It took three boards, a nailgun, a shim, and an hour.
The job you listed? A wrench, Teflon tape, some valves, putty, and a diamond hole saw. So like 70$ assuming you don’t already have those things.
Most maintenance, installs, or upgrades are the same way, and the next time you do it, you already have the tools. Get a rolling toolbox, a belt, a basic battery tool set, and pick up all the specialty tools as you need them, and you’re a handyman.