I work with computers, and often help my friends out when they need some computer work done -- but more and more friends of friends are getting referred to me.
What is a good amount to charge for stuff like this?
Should I charge hourly?
An example is, right now a friend of a friend needs a PC and a laptop wiped and re-installed. Should I ask for a set price, or give an hourly price? If I should give a hourly price, what is a good amount to charge, and is it proper for me to give a time estimate? Because that's another problem I have -- I am horrible and "predicting" how long something like that will take.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
2006-06-23 09:42:31 · 9 answers · asked by bdb4269 2 in Computers & Internet ➔ Other - Computers
I generally inform people that I charge $45/hr. and a reformat/reinstall is likely going to run around 3 hrs. If people balk at the price I'll politely inform them that A) a service shop is likely to charge far more for the same service and B) my time, when I'm not at work is worth more to me than $45/hr. People are reasonable and usually willing to pay you what you're worth, but you need to make sure that you can deliver.
2006-06-23 11:15:49 · answer #1 · answered by Moi 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well i would go with an hourly price. Usually if it is there first time than go with a precice amount like $100 but since it is there first time. After that you might want to change to hourly rate with a starting price of $15 an hour or $25 with a 2 hour maximum. Now of you go more than 2 hours just give them a full price on what the problem is and you set that price.
2006-06-23 16:48:15 · answer #2 · answered by zypher01_tech 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The sad thing about the PC repair business is that, unlike automobile repair, people (at least the one's I've dealt with) don't expect to have to pay very much for a rebuild and even less for simple troubleshooting/fixes. In the past when I would do rebuilds, I would present the awkward "Pay me whatever it's worth to you." This occasionally worked well. Alternatively, you could charge near or slightly above what you make at your day job per hour. As you have likely encountered, with PCs, something what sounds very small can be 10+ hours of working on the machine and running around searching for and buying (compatible/upgraded) parts for an older PC. I have seen several local PC repair businesses go under due to this and (repeating myself) the fact that people generally don't expect or want to pay high prices for PC repair. That said, I would suggest you offer a set price per hour, say $20 or lower depending on how much business you want. When I didn't want to work on a PC, I would say, "Sure, I charge $55 per hour." If I did, it would be $55 for the whole thing no matter how long it took - usually if it were someone I knew well.
2006-06-23 17:08:29 · answer #3 · answered by stklotto 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Charge them for the time you spend, I mean in all honesty the process might take 4 hours by the time you put the updates and stuff into it but you will really just be pushing a button or 2 one in a while, maybe a couple hours worth at 25 a hour, thats a lot less than a shop would charge and might keep your workload down. Keep you in chips and beer while your waiting on it too.
2006-06-23 16:51:50 · answer #4 · answered by Tom H 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you should charge them a fee depending what kind of services.
Installing software - $10 or more
Formating Harddrive - $20 - $50
Installing small parts such as video, modem, etc - $10 - $20
Replacing motherboard - $25 - $50
You should never charges an arm and leg. Your friend will not only stop talking about you but will never go to you. We should always be fair and honest to customers.
One guy told me that a computer technician stole one of his memory. I believe him because most technician are cruel service man.
Help all customers beyond the call of duty and your fame will be well known.
2006-06-23 16:54:03 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
wiping and reinstalling two pc's will take 2 hours you can charge by the hour if you want but then you wont get much, set rates for each format and re-installation you'll get more that way.
2006-06-23 16:51:34 · answer #6 · answered by parry 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
dont do by the hour, it makes people think you will screw them. The geek squad charges $240/PC for a service like that and they kinda suck. i wuld charge $150/PC as long as they have the OS software
2006-06-23 16:47:31 · answer #7 · answered by phxem 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
$40/hour. guesstimate 2 hours. but make no promises...if you run into problems it could take longer... and you don't want to screw yourself over for all the hard work you're doing.
2006-06-23 17:39:59 · answer #8 · answered by jay.shuler 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
$45 each.
2006-06-23 16:46:57 · answer #9 · answered by luckyaz128 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋