Let’s face it—home maintenance has never been known for its predictability. One minute you're fixing a leaky faucet, and the next, you're staring at a bill that somehow ballooned from a simple hour of labor to a full day of unexpected charges.

For years, homeowners have accepted this as “just how it works.”
But times are changing.

More and more homeowners are choosing flat-fee maintenance services—and for good reason. Flat-rate pricing isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a smarter, more transparent way to keep your property in shape without getting nickel-and-dimed for every small fix.

In this blog, we’ll walk you through:

Why the traditional hourly model no longer works
What flat-fee maintenance actually includes
Real-world savings examples
When a flat-fee service like Dwell Care makes the most sense

The Problem with Hourly Repairs

Let’s start with what most homeowners are used to:
You call a handyman, wait for their availability window, and pay by the hour—whether the job takes 20 minutes or two hours.

Here’s why that model is frustrating:

Unpredictable Costs: You don’t know the final bill until it’s over.
No Incentive for Speed: The longer it takes, the more you pay.
Multiple Charges for Multiple Visits: Each small issue can trigger a new visit—and a new invoice.

The average hourly rate for a handyman in the U.S. ranges from $60 to $125/hour. Even simple tasks can quickly add up with service fees and minimum hour charges.

61% of homeowners say they've delayed a repair due to cost uncertainty or past unexpected bills.

What Flat-Fee Maintenance Actually Means

Flat-fee maintenance flips the script.
At Dwell Care, we offer unlimited standard maintenance coordination for just $50/month per property—no hourly surprises, no inflated invoices, just one predictable fee.

Here’s what’s included in our flat-rate plan:

Scheduling and coordinating repairs with trusted professionals
Vendor follow-ups to ensure the work gets done properly
Real-time updates and maintenance tracking via our app
Help reviewing invoices to verify fair pricing
Transparent communication from start to finish

Want added peace of mind?
For $25/month more, you get 24/7 emergency support—ideal for urgent situations like plumbing leaks, HVAC outages, or broken heaters in the middle of the night.

Why Homeowners Are Making the Switch

Flat-fee maintenance isn’t just convenient—it’s a smarter, more modern way to manage your home.

1. Budget Control

With a flat monthly fee, you always know what you’re paying. That predictability makes it easier to plan for the future and avoid surprise bills.

72% of homeowners say they prefer predictable monthly costs over large, surprise expenses—even if it means paying slightly more over time.

2. No Incentives to Upsell or Delay

Unlike hourly contractors, flat-fee services have no incentive to drag things out or push unnecessary work. The focus stays on solving the problem quickly and efficiently.

3. You Save Over Time

The $50/month often pays for itself quickly. Consider this:

One average handyman visit = $100–$150
Even one service request every two months means you’re saving money.

The average homeowner spends $3,192 per year on home maintenance and repairs.

4. Concierge-Level Simplicity

You report an issue, we handle the rest. From booking to follow-up, it’s all taken care of. No chasing contractors. No surprise invoices.

67% of homeowners say coordinating with multiple vendors is their biggest pain point in maintaining a property.

Real-Life Example

Let’s say:

Your tenant reports a leaking kitchen faucet
Your hallway light is flickering
The smoke detectors need new batteries

Traditionally, that might mean three separate appointments, three invoices, and hours of coordination.

With Dwell Care?

You submit all three issues through our platform. We handle the rest—coordination, vendor management, and follow-up—while you continue your day.
And the best part? You still just pay your flat monthly rate.

When Flat-Fee Maintenance Might Not Be Right

While flat-fee maintenance works great for routine upkeep, it’s not a catch-all.

Projects like full renovations, structural upgrades, or large-scale restorations are outside the flat-rate scope and would require separate estimates and approval.

But for 90% of the typical homeowner's needs—think leaks, appliance issues, seasonal checkups, minor electrical or plumbing concerns—Dwell Care's flat-fee model covers it all.

Final Thoughts: Predictability Is Power

In a world where homeownership already comes with enough surprises, flat-fee maintenance provides clarity, consistency, and peace of mind.

You shouldn’t have to second-guess every service call or fear the invoice that follows.
With Dwell Care, you know what to expect—month after month.

If you're ready to say goodbye to unpredictable repair costs and hello to a smarter, simpler way to care for your home...

Explore Our Flat-Fee Plans

See Pricing & Plans →
Join the growing number of homeowners choosing transparency, ease, and expert support.

Flat-Fee Maintenance: Why More Homeowners Are Saying Goodbye to Hourly Repairs