Every home has one: the honey-do list. It starts with a dripping faucet and a shelf that needs hanging, and by the weekend it runs to the front door. A honey-do list is easy to write and hard to finish, because every small job needs a different tool, a trip to the store and an afternoon you meant to spend with your family. This guide shows what usually goes on a honey-do list, how to organize it so a pro can bid on all of it at once, and when it makes sense to hand it off.
What goes on a typical honey-do list
Most lists are a mix of small repairs, installs and touch-ups. Each one is quick for someone with the right tools and practice, and slow for everyone else.
- A dripping faucet, a running toilet or a slow drain
- A squeaky, sticking or sagging door
- Shelves, mirrors, curtain rods or a TV to hang
- Drywall dents and nail holes to patch and touch up
- Caulk around the tub, sink or windows that has cracked or turned dark
- A loose or leaning fence board, or a gate that will not latch
- Furniture or a closet system to assemble
- A light fixture or ceiling fan to swap
How to write a honey-do list a pro can bid on
A clear list gets clear bids. Write one line per task and add the details a pro needs to price it without guessing.
- Where it is: the room, the wall, inside or outside.
- What is wrong: "drips from the spout," "door rubs at the top," "three holes from old pictures."
- What you want: repair, replace or install, and whether you already have the part.
- Photos: one picture per item saves a lot of back and forth.
Group the jobs so one visit covers more
Grouping helps a pro bring the right tools and finish in fewer trips.
| Group | Examples |
|---|---|
| Water | Faucets, toilets, caulk, slow drains |
| Walls and hanging | Shelves, mirrors, TV, drywall patches, touch-up paint |
| Doors and windows | Squeaks, sticking, latches, weatherstripping |
| Outside | Fence boards, gates, gutters, exterior caulk |
What you can do yourself, and what to hand off
Some jobs are fine for a free afternoon: changing a furnace filter, tightening a cabinet hinge, replacing a showerhead. Others are worth handing off because they need special tools, take practice to look right, or can cause bigger problems if done wrong: patching drywall so it disappears under paint, hanging a heavy TV safely on the right anchors, re-caulking a tub so water stays out, or anything electrical. If a job needs a licensed trade where you live, the pro who bids will tell you.
A sample honey-do list you can copy
| Item | Room | Details to include |
|---|---|---|
| Fix dripping faucet | Kitchen | Drips from the spout; photo of the faucet |
| Hang 2 shelves | Living room | Drywall wall; shelves already bought |
| Fix squeaky, sticking door | Hallway | Rubs at the top when closing |
| Replace 3 fence boards | Backyard | Wood privacy fence; photo of the gap |
| Re-caulk tub | Hall bath | Old caulk is cracked and dark |
| Patch nail holes and touch up paint | Bedroom | About ten holes; paint can on hand |
How long does a honey-do list take?
It depends on the items, but many small-repair lists can be finished in one visit. Jobs that need parts ordered, paint to dry between coats, or a specialist trade may take a second trip. Ask each pro how many visits they expect and include it in the bid.
A seasonal honey-do checklist
| Season | Jobs to add to the list |
|---|---|
| Spring | Clean gutters, check fences and gates, re-caulk windows, service the AC |
| Summer | Fix screens, touch up exterior paint, tighten deck boards and railings |
| Fall | Weatherstrip doors, clean gutters again, test smoke alarms |
| Winter | Indoor fixes: drywall patches, squeaky doors, shelves, light fixtures |
Buy the tools, or hire it out?
Buying tools for a one-time job, plus the trips to the store and the learning curve, often costs more time than people expect. If a job needs special tools you will rarely use again, or the result has to look clean, like drywall or caulk, it is usually worth handing it to a pro. Keep the quick, easy ones for yourself, and give your weekend back to the people you love.
What a good honey-do list bid includes
- Each item on your list, with what will be done
- Who brings the parts and materials
- How long the visit should take, and whether it is one trip or two
- Cleanup and haul-away of old parts
- Anything left out, so there are no surprises
Questions to ask before you hire
- Can you do every item on my list, or should some go to a specialist?
- Will you bring the parts, or should I buy them?
- What happens if you find something bigger, like water damage behind the caulk?
- Do you carry insurance? Ask for proof and check it.
Keep the list from growing back
A short walk-through each season catches small things before they grow: check the caulk in bathrooms, oil door hinges, look at fence boards and gates, and test smoke alarms. Add what you find to one list and handle it in one visit.
Post your honey-do list on BidHandyman
Write your list, add a photo of each item and post it free. Only pros approved by BidHandyman can bid. You compare the bids, message the pros and hire the one you like, with no obligation. Then take the day off. Post your honey-do list, or see hiring a handyman and our home repair checklist.