A handyman visit is one trip and a list of odd jobs. Charge the trip once, SUM the task prices, and the punch list totals itself however long it runs.
A $75 trip with a $40, $60, and $85 task totals $260 — add a task column and the total keeps up.
The example
Three visits, each with a trip charge and up to three punch-list tasks.
| A | B | C | D | E | F | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Visit | Trip | Task 1 | Task 2 | Task 3 | Total |
| 2 | Move-in list | $75 | $40 | $60 | $85 | $260.00 |
| 3 | Small fixes | $75 | $40 | $0 | $0 | $115.00 |
| 4 | Big day | $75 | $120 | $90 | $150 | $435.00 |
The formula
SUM totals the tasks; the trip charge is added once:
How it works
Separate the visit fee from the task work:
B2is the trip charge, billed a single time for the visit.SUM(C2:E2)adds every task price — empty tasks count as zero.- Adding gives the visit total; widen the range for longer lists.
SUM ignoring blanks means the same formula quotes a one-item call and a whole move-in punch list.
Try it: interactive demo
Enter the trip charge and up to three task prices.
Variations
Add a materials line
Keep parts separate from the labor tasks.
Waive the trip on big jobs
Drop the trip charge when the task total clears a threshold.
Pitfalls & errors
Leave finished-but-unused task cells blank; SUM skips them and the printed list stays readable.
Bill the trip charge once. Copying it into each task line charges a separate trip for every job on the list.
Practice workbook
Frequently asked questions
How do I add more tasks?
Can I waive the trip on large jobs?
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