Handyman services in
Oconomowoc, WI
Elmbrook Handyman helps homeowners and property managers in Oconomowoc with professional home repair, maintenance, and improvement projects. Whether you are handling a punch list, getting a property ready for move in, or taking care of overdue fixes, our team focuses on clear communication, clean workmanship, and practical solutions that move the project forward. This page also includes official Oconomowoc homeowner resources so you can quickly find permit guidance, collection schedules, seasonal notices, and helpful local information.
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Services we offer in Oconomowoc
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Electrical
Outlets, switches, light fixtures, ceiling fans, GFCI installs, and dimmer upgrades
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Plumbing
Faucets, toilets, shut-offs, supply lines, garbage disposals, and minor leak repairs
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Doors
Install, repair, or adjust interior and exterior doors, plus hardware and weatherstripping
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Exterior
Siding repairs, caulking, gutter cleaning, wood rot, fascia, and window trim
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Home Decor
Shelving, mirrors, artwork, curtain rods, blinds, and fixture installs
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Smart Home
Thermostats, smart locks, video doorbells, security cameras, and smart lighting
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Furniture Assembly
Flat-pack and ready-to-assemble furniture, office setups, and entertainment centers
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Carpentry
Trim, baseboards, crown molding, built-ins, shelving, and custom repairs
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Appliances
Install, swap, connect, and secure dishwashers, microwaves, dryers, and more
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Home Theater
TV mounting, soundbars, cable management, projectors, and component installs
Oconomowoc Homeowner Resources
Garbage, recycling, and yard waste Collection
Oconomowoc's curbside garbage and recycling service is handled by Johns Disposal, the City's contracted hauler. Use the disclosures below for collection schedules, set-out rules, accepted materials, and contacts.
Garbage collection
Garbage is collected weekly by Johns Disposal, the City’s contracted hauler. Recycling is typically picked up first on your collection day, with garbage sometimes running later depending on traffic.
Set-out rules
- Have your cart out by 6:00 AM on collection day, or set it out the night before.
- Extra bags left outside the cart will not be collected — everything must fit inside.
- It’s okay if the lid is propped slightly open by bags inside the cart.
- Keep the cart accessible and clear of snowbanks, parked vehicles, or construction staging.
Cart size
- The City provides two carts per property through Johns Disposal: a 64-gallon cart for refuse (weekly) and a 96-gallon cart for recycling (every other week).
- Carts are owned by Johns Disposal and must stay with the property.
Bulky items
- Each household is allowed one bulky item per week at no extra charge — but you must call Johns Disposal to schedule it.
- Need more than one bulky item in the same week? Request a “special pick-up” for an added charge — call Johns Disposal for current pricing.
- Bulky items include furniture, pianos/organs, appliances, sinks and cast iron plumbing fixtures, windows/doors, large toys, up to 4 auto/pickup tires per customer per month (rims removed), bicycles, dismantled swing sets, lawn mowers/snow blowers (no gas or oil), and items that can be cut down to 6 feet or less and 50 lbs or less.
- Not included in bulky pickup: TVs, computers, and other electronics.
Walk-up assistance
- Residents physically unable to bring carts to the curb due to disability or age may qualify for a walk-up program — Johns Disposal wheels the cart to the curb and back.
- Requires an application and physician verification. Call the City at 262-569-2189 or download the Physically Unable form.
Quick links
Recycling collection
Recycling is collected every other week by Johns Disposal and is single stream — all approved recyclables go loose together in the same cart.
Set-out & placement
- Put the cart out the night before, or by 6:00 AM on collection day.
- Place the cart within 2 feet of the road on the driveway edge, with the lid arrows pointing toward the road and handles/wheels facing away from the road.
- Keep 6 feet of clearance from mailboxes, poles, vehicles, and other obstructions.
- Set the recycling cart on the opposite side of the driveway from the garbage cart.
How to prep recyclables
- Do not bag recyclables — keep them loose in the cart. Plastic bags should never be used for recyclables.
- Rinse bottles, cans, and jugs before placing them in the cart.
- All material must fit inside the cart — overflow left outside is not collected.
- Flatten larger boxes to save space.
Accepted
- Cardboard and paperboard (empty), newspapers, magazines, mail, office paper
- Food and beverage cartons (empty)
- Plastic bottles and containers (approved household types), empty
- Aluminum and steel cans (empty)
- Glass bottles and jars — clear, brown, and green (empty)
Not accepted
- Plastic film, wrap, bags, and Styrofoam
- Batteries, electronics, hazardous materials
- Construction or demolition debris
- Recyclables with liquid or food still inside
- Large or heavy metal items over size limits
Old recycling bin
- Still have an old blue recycling bin? Place it inside the new cart for disposal, or set it at the curb on your recycling day marked for removal.
Quick links
Yard waste & seasonal pickups
Yard waste is collected on your regular garbage day between April and December, but it is not weekly — the City runs 20 scheduled pickups per season, so check the yard waste schedule to confirm which weeks apply.
Accepted
- Leaves and dry grass clippings
- Yard and garden debris
- Brush and clean woody vegetation meeting the size limits below
Brush & branch limits
- Limbs and branches must be 6 inches or less in diameter and 4 feet or shorter.
- Bundle tightly with twine (no wire or nylon) — each bundle no more than 60 lbs.
Containers
- 30-gallon paper yard waste bags
- Dry cardboard boxes or other easy-to-handle containers, no larger than 3 ft × 3 ft
- Metal or plastic garbage cans up to 32 gallons, marked with a red X
- Plastic bags are not allowed for yard waste — they don’t compost.
Not accepted as yard waste
- Vegetables, stumps, sod, dirt, roots, and shrubs with intact root balls
- Pumpkins, cornstalks, apples, and black walnuts go with regular garbage instead
Christmas tree pickup
- Place live cut trees curbside during January on your regular garbage day. Cut trees taller than 6 feet in half.
Household hazardous waste
- The City holds a dedicated Household Hazardous Waste event on limited dates each year — confirm the current schedule before planning.
No City drop-off site
- Oconomowoc has no public yard waste drop-off site. For large cleanups or missed pickups, use a private disposal option for a fee, or check Waukesha County’s compost and yard waste resources.
Quick links
Permits and home improvement guidelines
Building permits and inspections in Oconomowoc are handled by the City's Building Inspection Division. If your project involves exterior changes, structural work, or trades like electrical, plumbing, or HVAC, confirm permit requirements early — it's the best way to avoid rework, plan-review delays, or inspection rescheduling.
Does my project need a permit?
The City of Oconomowoc Building Inspection Division manages building permits, occupancy permits, and inspections. Call and describe your project’s scope, location, and whether it involves anything structural, electrical, plumbing, or HVAC before you apply.
Projects that commonly need a permit
- Decks and exterior stairs
- Fences and landscape walls
- Sheds, detached garages, detached gazebos, and other accessory structures
- Roofing and siding work (depending on valuation and permit category)
- Pools
- Remodels affecting structure, egress, or safety items
- New or upgraded electrical service, and other electrical changes tied to remodeling
- Mechanical work and HVAC equipment changes
- Plumbing changes tied to remodels
Permit fees (examples)
- Remodel: $8 per $1,000 of valuation, $50 minimum
- Additions: $8 per $1,000 of valuation, $75 minimum
- Deck: $175
- Fence: $50
- Electric service: $80
These are examples only, not a quote — confirm the current fee schedule for your exact project scope.
Quick links
Fence & accessory structure rules
Oconomowoc publishes separate handouts for fences and accessory structures — useful for planning before you spend money on materials.
Fences
- Fences, landscape walls, and decorative posts at or above 30 inches require a building permit before construction begins.
- Submittal typically requires a standard permit application plus a site plan drawn to scale, showing lot lines, buildings, and the proposed fence location and setbacks.
- Maximum heights: 4 feet within a required front or street yard; 6 feet for residentially zoned property outside the required front or street yard.
- Fences may not be placed in drainage or utility easements unless approved by the City.
Accessory structures (sheds, detached garages, gazebos)
- Maximum footprint for any single accessory building is 1,000 sq ft.
- Combined detached accessory building area is capped by lot width: 720 sq ft for lots 66 feet wide or less; 1,000 sq ft for wider lots.
- Residential districts are generally limited to two detached accessory buildings per lot.
- Setbacks: 3 feet side, 5 feet rear. Separation from the principal structure is generally 10 feet (limited reductions possible with special provisions).
- Height limit: 18 feet.
- Submittal typically requires a standard building permit application, a scaled site plan, and a drawing or photo showing height — the Building Inspector may also require structural plans.
Quick links
Plan prep & inspections
Getting your paperwork right up front helps avoid inspection delays and rework.
Inspections
- Common inspection checkpoints include footing, foundation, rough framing, insulation, plumbing, electrical, and final inspections.
- To request an inspection, call 262-569-2195.
- Larger or inspection-heavy projects may have additional prerequisites before a final inspection can be scheduled — ask Building Inspection what’s needed for your project.
Beyond permits
- For ordinance-level details that can affect fences, zoning limits, and project compliance, check the City’s Municipal Code.
Quick links
Seasonal Services and City Notices
Seasonal rules and City notices in Oconomowoc can affect parking, snow operations, road access, and project timing. The disclosures below cover winter parking, road closures and construction, and holiday-related service changes — useful when planning projects that depend on street access, deliveries, or staging.
Snow operations & winter parking
Winter street parking restrictions are in effect December 1 through March 1. During that period, no vehicles may be parked on any City street from 2:00 AM to 5:00 AM.
Overnight parking
- To park overnight on the roadway during restricted months, get permission from the Police Department by calling 262-567-4401, Monday–Friday, 6:00 AM–10:00 PM. After 10 PM or on weekends, use the online application.
- Temporary overnight parking requests are not granted during a snow emergency or while snow removal is in progress.
- Overnight parking in one of the six municipal downtown lots also requires Police Department permission or a monthly parking permit.
Snow removal
- During snow events, expect reduced curb access and tighter driveway staging from snowbanks and plow windrows — plan deliveries and street-parking-dependent work accordingly.
Quick links
Road closures, construction & city notices
The City posts Street Construction updates tied to its Capital Improvements Program — check before scheduling exterior work, driveway work, or deliveries that need clear road access, especially on tight residential streets.
- The Alert Center is the fastest way to check for urgent notices that can affect services and access.
- Subscribe through Notify Me for email or text alerts on the categories you care about.
- For time-sensitive projects, check the Alert Center and Street Construction page within a few days of your target date.
- For broader road conditions, use Wisconsin 511.
Quick links
Holiday collection changes
Garbage and recycling schedules can shift around City holidays — the current-year collection schedule PDF is the source of truth for your address.
- Live, cut Christmas trees are collected curbside in January on your regular garbage day. Cut trees taller than 6 feet in half before setting them out.
Quick links
Community and Local Information
A quick hub for Oconomowoc contacts, City meetings, and local resources — useful when planning projects that affect street access, parking, or neighborhood timing.
City services & service requests
For department contacts — Building Inspection, Public Works, Utilities, Clerk, Police — start with the City Directory. It’s the fastest way to reach the right department without getting routed around.
Quick links
City meetings, agendas & calendars
- Use the Agenda Center for official meeting agendas, packets, and minutes — helpful when street projects, utility work, ordinances, or community decisions could affect access or scheduling.
- The City Calendar covers community events, City meetings, and public notices that can affect timing, traffic, and parking, and supports iCalendar subscription.
- Subscribe through Notify Me to get meeting and agenda updates automatically.
Quick links
Library, parks & recreation
Oconomowoc Public Library
- Posts events, workshops, and community programming through its online events calendar.
- Find the main library contact in the City Directory.
Parks, Recreation & Forestry
- The Parks, Recreation, and Forestry page is the official hub for parks, trails, forestry, and beaches and boating info.
- Use RecDesk for class registration and program schedules.
Quick links
Public safety & non-emergency help
- For emergencies, call 911.
- For non-emergency police questions, call 262-567-4401.
- For general city service questions, use the City Directory.
Quick links
Planning a project in Oconomowoc?
Ready to get that project off the list? Elmbrook works with Oconomowoc homeowners and property managers on repairs and improvements of every size — locally operated, easy to schedule.
Know What You Need?
Bigger Project in Mind?