What would you normally charge over cost to build a custom computer for people?

Question

I am starting a custom build computer business but i am not sure what a good rate would be for labor. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

$100 and up depending on the build. On a high-end gaming rig I charge around $200 but that's set up in the home with all the software, updates and printers etc installed and the internet configured. Figure around 10% of the cost of the parts. Also depends on any warranty you give. On my computers I sell where I buy the parts myself a 1 year in-home parts and labor warranty is included but I don't even deal with low-end towers less that $1000. With the price of brand new towers being so cheap you're not going to be even able to buy the parts for the same price as the built towers at Dell Hp etc are so you'll starve if youre planning on building $500 towers. The real money is in repairing them.
The money you make for the time you spend building a tower isn't even going to be close to what you'll make fixing them even if you charge 1/2 of what the Geek Squad does.
I trust you know that building a computer is not just screwing a bunch of parts together like you glue a model, that does nothing, together. Putting a tower together is simple, it's what happens after you hit the power button the first time that can get tricky.

Answer 2

It's actually a lot easier than you think. Just stay away from carpeted areas that build up static electricity or you could short something out. If you could get a motherboard with the CPU and the heatsink and fan installed (with thermal paste) everything else is pretty easy. Mounting a CPU isn't too bad but you have to be careful not to bend the pins. A reputable online tutorial may be able to guide you through it. I'm not sure how much a store would charge for something like that. I would do some reading on some sites, especially ones with pics to show you what's going on with installing all the components.

Answer 3

I saw where the geek squad charges about $250 to format your computer. I learned how to do my own. All you have to do is put the CD in and follow the direction.

The tech here in my town get $50 an hour.

That a good place to start.

Answer 4

My son used to do this about 8 to 10 years ago. He normally charged $100 over cost. Now, he only occasionally does it, but I'm not sure what he charges, maybe more?

Answer 5

I would take the average of a computer stores rates and figure then time needed to assemble and go about 1/2 of that....
Just me...

Answer 6

If it's somebody I know. I do it for free. They usually tip me though. I reinstalled the OS on my aunt's pc. She gave me $30 dollars and cooked me dinner. Doesn't get any better then that.