Mentioned on Reddit — 2 mentions in r/MelroseMA and r/SalemMA, mostly positive
What does handyman work cost in Greater Boston?
Typical Greater Boston range for this kind of work, from regional averages — not a quote from Mr. Handyman of South Essex County. Use it to sanity-check bids, then get the real number in writing.
A day rate replaces the task list — usually the better deal once the list gets long.
Permits alleged missing — a 2026 one-star review claims none are pulled
Training alleged lacking — the same review cites OSHA equipment concerns
Pricing disputed — that reviewer calls it expensive, others call it fair
Mr. Handyman of South Essex County is the Peabody-based franchise covering the Essex County towns, and it is built for the list of small jobs a house accumulates rather than for one big project. Blinds and curtains hung, cabinet hinges, a pocket door off its tracks, smoke-alarm batteries out of reach, an awning serviced for the season, exterior doors fitted in a 125-year-old house where nothing is level.
The record is deep and busy — 4.9 stars from 586 Google ratings, 434 reviews across seven sources running from 2015 to 2026, with 56 in the last six months and only one of those negative. The BBB grades it A+ and lists it as accredited.
What the reviews consistently show is a bench of named technicians rather than one person: Ernie, Chuck, Amir, Esteban, Gilles, Walter, Paul, Ed and Matt all get credited by name in 2026 reviews, and customers repeatedly say the tech explained the options, worked without a break and cleaned up. A May 2026 reviewer had exterior window trim rot, a front door painted, French doors and a screen door all sorted in one visit — the multi-headache visit is the pattern.
One 2026 reviewer takes the opposite view and it should not be buried: a June 2026 one-star account calls the company very unprofessional and expensive, and alleges they do not pull permits for the jobs they do and that technicians are neither trained nor using proper OSHA equipment. That is a single unverified allegation against 56 recent reviews, but permits are a fair thing to ask about directly for anything structural.
They are the right call when you have a punch list and want one visit that clears it. Ask what work requires a permit and who pulls it, and get the hourly-versus-fixed pricing settled before the tech arrives.
“Mr. Handyman of South Essex for general jobs. I've used them for hanging lights, blinds, curtains, painting, and furniture assembly. They do a great job. If you need a plumber for the sink, Wright Plumbing. Danny does great work, reasonably priced, super responsive, and a great guy. He has also helped me out with recommendations for other trades people when I've needed them.”
Paul came out to replace some damaged Hardy siding. He did an excellent job. He painted and replaced the boards then added some flashing to prevent the issue from recurring. He was professional and very efficient. The job was completed in two hours. I will definitely use Mr. Handyman again.
Excellent company. A pocket door for the bathroom was off the tracks. A technician came out a few days later and did a good job Price was fair and now my bathroom door shuts!