Anyone here do PC repairs on the side? How much do you charge?

[Kaido]

Family & friends are free.

Anyone else, $100 flat fee for a complete system nuke. It's usually not worth my time to fix problems, when I can just have a complete system up and running flawlessly in less than an hour. My procedure is:

1. Use Macrium Reflect Free to backup their old drive to an image file (this is later mountable as a drive using that software - so they have 100% access to their old files). Make sure you run some antivirus and kill any viruses hiding on their drive first, so they have a clean backup.

2. Install Windows and hardware upgrades. If they need more RAM or a bigger/faster HDD, do it now. Then install Windows and the drivers. Install Microsoft Security Essentials (free, self-scanning, self-updating) and make sure Windows Firewall is enabled, install Microsoft Office, and then run Microsoft Update (for Windows/Office). Get all the updates installed. Install Chrome or Firefox and remove all links to Internet Explorer. Install Macrium Reflect and copy their previous drive image to the desktop (this way they can copy their files at their own pace, then delete the drive image when done - and you're never on the hook for losing their files). * I copy the previous drive image after I've cloned the fresh drive first

3. Install whatever software they want - printer drivers, various apps, etc. Do the system tweaks as needed (folder prefs, etc.). Disable auto updating in every program (leave the A/V update on, of course) so they don't get nag alerts. Also install SmartDefrag for auto-defrag (between this, MS Security Essentials, Windows Firewall, and Chrome/Firefox, the box becomes pretty much self-manageable). I usually install some nice little utilities like Launchy, TaskbarShuffle, Everything Search, etc., plus the standard stuff like Flash, Silverlight, Java, Adobe Reader, Pismo File Mount, WinRAR, CutePDF printer, ImgBurn, Skype, etc.

4. Make a system image clone. Depending on the client, I either backup their fresh image on my NAS, burn them a DVD reinstall kit, or both. Most people lose their backup discs and come back a year later needing a reinstall - it's so much easier to just reload from a local image copy and then run updates, instead of doing the whole procedure above over again. If you want, you can make a second partition and dump the system clone to, but I don't like to do that in case they get a virus or if their hard drive dies. Plus it takes up space they could be using, and a partition isn't as easy to delete as their previous system image backup is. But you can if you want (especially if they have a large 1TB+ drive where it won't really matter if a few gigs are used). Also people will get into the second partition and try messing around with things, so I find it's just easier to do a backup disc set or have the image stored on my file server.

5. The night before returning it, run Memtest86+ on their system overnight (6 passes, zero errors). Just to make sure (1) their memory is good, and (2) their system is OK with any new hardware updates while running for 6 or 8 hours. I've found memory problems to be extremely common, as high as 1 in every 10 computers, so I just do that either when I first get the box or when I'm finished with the box.

So when the client gets the computer back, they have a fresh, tested system with a backup and all their old files ready to be accessed via a virtual drive. The most time-consuming thing I have to do is find drivers for their system. All you really need is a screwdriver, a CD with Memtest86+, and a USB-powered 2.5" hard drive (for pre-downloaded software - I just have all those freebie apps in a folder I can easily copy to the desktop - and for doing system images). WD has one for $120 that runs off a single USB cord:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136540

Just load it up with software and disc images, then use it for cloning the original drive and the freshly-installed drive (usually that's enough space for most client's computers). The workflow boils down to:

1. Get computer from the client
2. Plug in 1TB, install Macrium, and clone their original system to an image
3. Install Windows, drivers, Office, A/V, then run updates
4. Install software (including Macrium) and do tweaks
5. Clone their new system to the USB drive
6. Copy their old system image to the desktop
7. Run Memtest86+ overnight
8. Deliver to happy customer

Mostly you're just babysitting the install and clicking "OK" or "Next" once in awhile, so you can still nef on ATOT without having to do too much

 

[JEDIYoda]

I seldom get hassled by family/friends when I fix stuff for them (not just 'puters). The are genuinely appreciative and respectful, and value my time.

People who get excessively bugged with "support" either didn't do a good job on the repair, or do not communicate effectively.

Thats a crock of deep doo doo.
Ther is no way you can rationalize it in those words.

There is such a thing as family members who are not appreciative of anything you do and always are looking for the freebee.

What you said above only works if your na child and all the adults are saying-- oh..look ay little johnny, he is so good fixing computers.....

 

[Flipped Gazelle]

Thats a crock of deep doo doo.
Ther is no way you can rationalize it in those words.

There is such a thing as family members who are not appreciative of anything you do and always are looking for the freebee.

What you said above only works if your na child and all the adults are saying-- oh..look ay little johnny, he is so good fixing computers.....

Nope, no doo-doo at all. They just have a lot of respect for me and my abilities. Customers are appreciative, too - I get "thank you" emails, snailmail notes, gift cards. One couple even sent me a card to announce the one year anniversary of their new computer.

 

[Kaido]

haha what bunch aholes. If you charge 75 a hour i hope its some super computer because you can buy a new mobo cpu ram combo for a few hours of work price. I give away computers to family and friends and service them for free, it only takes a few mins of time to do anything, worst case i just reinstall or slap a new peice of hardware in. I guess im to nice to charge family or friends 75$ for 5 mins work.

If they were to go to Best Buy or Staples, they would get charged fees for getting the computer looked at, fees for removing spyware, fees for backing up your software, fees for installing software, fees for running updates, fees for everything! I've seen people walk out with $600+ in service charges. Most people don't get out without least $100 to $200+ in fees. Yes, it makes more sense to buy a new computer in a lot of cases. But you're also charging them less money for more service, so ultimately it's a better deal for them.

For family and friends, I don't usually bother charging anything and just have them order whatever hardware they want installed. For anyone else, it's an extra $100 in my pocket and a great deal for them, because they're getting premium-level service for 1/5 the price of a lot of other places that wouldn't do as much.

You also have to understand, some of us do this for work. Even though it's easy for us to do and we enjoy it, when a friend comes by and wants you to fix their computer after you've worked a 70-hour week fixing computers, that's just like being at work all over again. It's easy to get taken advantage of because it's such a small thing for you. So you have to be careful about where you draw the line. If you're a kid in school or you just do computers on the side or for fun, maybe it's not as big of a deal, but if you're doing it for work and then have a handful of family and friends bugging you every weekend to do free work for them and give them free parts, then you have to think about what your time is worth.

There's a line between being helpful and being a doormat. I didn't understand that very well until I started working in computers full-time - I enjoyed working on them and would do them for family and friends on weeknights and weeknds, but as you get busier, your time becomes more valuable and you end up just fixing computers alllll the time. And even if you come home and surf the net and are "already on your computer anyways", that's still YOUR downtime and you have to make the call about what you're willing to do

I think it really boils down to the situation you're currently in. Fixing computers on the side helped me pay for my first couple years of college. When I was in high school, it was just something I did for fun, but now I'm married, have a full-time job, and go to nightschool, so my time is more valuable. I still support my family and friends, but it's on a much more selective basis simply because I'd rather be spending my weekends with my family and killing my homework instead of fixing someone's computer for free.

So the point is, not everyone is a jerk for charging for their services

 

[shortylickens]

My local guy charges around 50-60 an hour. I only use him for estimates on whats wrong, then fix it myself. Thats 35 dollars.
Back in the good old days I would do it. But am too lazy and stupid. Besides, I built it myself, if I know for sure whats wrong I can fix it myself too.

 

[MrMatt]

$75/hour.

For family I charge $50-$60/hr.

Less than that it's not worth the headache.

That's exactly what I charge lol. Or if someone's a repeat fuck-up I charge 110/hr.

 

[Lifted]

That's exactly what I charge lol. Or if someone's a repeat fuck-up I charge 110/hr.

Repeat business results in a price increase. :thumbsup:

That's a business model that could only exist in the IT industry.

 

[Fritzo]

I do $60/hr residential, and $100/hr business. Fairly standard rate.

 

[QueBert]

Those prices are all high. Where my step-dad works they charge $30 per problem (not per hour), and go to the customer's house to fix it.

$30 per problem on site is FUCKING NUTS! So if a problem takes 2 hours to fix it's only $30 bucks? Even if the problem only takes 20 minutes that's still stupidly cheap. Most places out here are $80-100'ish an hour with a minimum of 1 hour. I charge $58 and a lot of my clients comments on how reasonable my rates are. $30 a problem would be one of my uber specials to attract new customers.

 

[geno]

$50 minimum (covers the first hour), then I charge $20 per half hour after that.

 

[Kaido]

$75/hour.

For family I charge $50-$60/hr.

Less than that it's not worth the headache.

When I did contracting full-time, I did the following for my daily rate:

No contract: $75 first hour, $60 after that
With contract: $60 first hour, $50 after that

In my area, $125 an hour is standard (business, not consumer clients), so my rates were a steal. I liked the money and was always busy, but it was a lot of driving and you get some really nutty customers. Plus you're paying the business taxes, gas, wear & tear on your vehicle, health insurance (oh man), etc. And you're on the hook for EVERYTHING - anytime something goes down, they call you. Which is great for business, but also means oddball hours. If you have a lot of energy, then it's a good gig, but it's also a lot of management and a random schedule, so if you have a family it can be difficult sometimes.

This year I switched back to being local admin, this time for a single company of ~100 systems and ~10 servers. It's busy enough that I work 40-70 hours a week, but I get to go home at the end of the day and not have to worry about stuff too much. The pay isn't as good as contracting, but it's steady, there's health benefits, only a 30 minute drive in, etc. So there's pros and cons to doing it both ways. I enjoyed both. I like where I'm at now because I can finish school and get to most of my classes since there's not many emergencies to detract from my time.

 

[Motorheader]

Never charge family/friend by the hour. I give good advice and like to help. I tell them parts + their conscience. Some of it goes barter as well. I hate to see people get ripped off.

If you are really going to do it for supplemental income you then should be looking at getting a tax ID and possibly bonded. In the past I've had to bail out more than one "do it on the side fly-by-nighter" and the situation (read mess) they left. I know of 3 that actually went so far as taking them to court.

 

[ctcsoft]

I don't hardly ever at all because of the headaches!!

Plus my time is limited and more valuable than what I could charge.

 

[classy]

I used to, but I stopped. It just became such a hassle. I would usually charge like $10 an hour for family. $35-50 for someone else.

 

[Kaido]

Never charge family/friend by the hour. I give good advice and like to help. I tell them parts + their conscience. Some of it goes barter as well. I hate to see people get ripped off.

I've started doing a lot more bartering recently, lol. I started out with family & friends and now do it with some small businesses. I have a few friends who are really good cooks, so I do computer work in exchange for dinners

Plus there's a few local shops that don't really have computer support or nerdy friends, so I do those when I stop in. There's a local chocolate/ice cream shop that I started doing network fixes and software training for, so when I stop in, I setup wireless or show them a Photoshop or Illustrator trick or whatever and get some free goodies :awe:

 

[ConstipatedVigilante]

I charge ~$20/hr. I guess I'm under-valuing my work.

 

[Wyndru]

Family for free.
Friends, tell them I don't have the time.

^

The job I started last year, I replaced a tech that used to work on home computers of the office workers for food....(they would cook him dinner if he came over to fix the PC's). I guess he was some charity type dude. Screw that. They all tell me that I suck cause I won't do that :\

Even the family computers, between the wife's family and mine, I have about 20 computers that are always getting messed up on a regular basis, no way in hell I'm doing stranger's PC's for money or food.

 

[0roo0roo]

Those prices are all high. Where my step-dad works they charge $30 per problem (not per hour), and go to the customer's house to fix it.

working for free
once you get around to wrangling parts/reinstalling system/apps etc it takes a long time, esp for older or messed up pc's, hours at times, and if you go to a clients house you cannot spend that down time fixing other computers. in other words thats gotta work out to not muc more than minimum wage at some point.

 

[Kaido]

no way I'm doing stranger's PC's for money or food.

Not you? :awe:

 

[Nemesis 1]

I flat rate at reasonable rates . BUT if I find porn is the problem I return as is and tell them not to come back . I also refuse to sell to certain people . Its my RIGHTS. But I do very little in that area anymore. Other than my desk workstations and Bob does most the work . My daughter will take anyones money.

 

[Tweak155]

Family I don't charge. I usually only have to deal with about 3-5 computers family wise so not a big deal. I usually give my old pc's to family too since it is way better than what they have.

Friends I charge whatever they think is fair. They usually don't like it at first but after they see how easy going I am they feel better about just giving me whatever they think is fair.

A lot of people don't want to feel cheap, but I don't judge.

If I worked on computers more frequently I'd have a standard fee probably. But I'm talking maybe 2-4 computers a year that are friends.

 

[PieIsAwesome]

$40 flat for general problems if they bring the computer to me. If it something more complicated then I will ask for more.

 

[Wheezer]

Family and close friends: Free

Co-Workers: "if" I like you: 15/hr...if I don't...fuck ya.

Others: 40/hr in home
35/hr in shop

 

[Ms. DICKINSON]

150$ per job. It could take 5mins or at most, 4hrs.

 

[fleabag]

I don't charge, I just do it for the satisfaction. Now, if I don't feel like doing it, I won't do it. I'd rather do something for free that I want to do than get paid to do something I don't want to do.