I know this is sort of off topic, but I'm not sure where to post this. I want to work as a freelance computer repair man in my spare time. Nothing big, jsut sort of a small, work of mouth bussiness, that will make me a few extra bucks. What is a good price to charge per hour for on-site service?

-Ryan Adams
Ryan's
Custom Cables

me, i charge about $20/hr but that also depends on situation & $60 to reload windows & drivers from scratch

david

Well, most places charge by the hour and then of course there are parts charges and a mark up on them.

What I would do if I were you is to go out and find out what local businesses are charging. For example, there is a mom and pop shop down the street from me and they charge $45 per hour for carry in service. I would imagine its higher for onsite service.

Once you figure that out you can charge accordingly.

Good luck

I was thinking of saying I charge $25-35 an hour + any parts. Does that sound like a decent price?

-Ryan Adams
Ryan's
Custom Cables

yes but also depends in the area you live in money wise

david

I charge 39 per hour bench time plus parts. And only for the time I have my hands in that machine. 75 per hour for field work.
I don't get out much...

I may be crazy, but I'm not stupid...

How much you charge (per hour) also depends upon your knowledge base. People aren't going to want to pay you $75.00 for three hours (@ $25/hr) to figure out/correct a problem which should/could have been fixed in thirty or forty five minutes.

The above statement in no way reflects upon you personally. I don't know you, haven't been to your homepage, etc. It's just a point being made, that's all. ;>)

Well I'm only a high school student, and therfor obvously have no like professional training. How ever I am stil lvery knowledgable. People will most likly assume that I don't know any thign since I am only in highschool, but like I said, I will operate by word fo mouth, so all teh people I work for wil leitehr know me personally or have good recomendations about me. $75 seams high for any work. There is really nothing "labor" intensive about computer repair, most of it is more "time" intensive. IE: you are sittign there watchign Windows install, or waiting fro a virus scan to compleat. The physically hardest is usually trying to figure out how to open the case to blow dust out. So I figure, $~30 should cover jsut about anyhtign I do. Thanks all.

I've decided on $20-$30 /hr for phone support. $30-$40 on site support.

-Ryan Adams
Ryan's
Custom Cables

I don't like doing field work anymore. I spent 25 years designing and installing very high end security systems. In those 25 years I came to this conclusion> There are 2 kinds of customers. One will leave you alone to do your job. Might offer you coffee but otherwise stays out of your hair. And the other is in your armpit telling you how they think you should be doing your job. And won't leave you alone. The first type is rare and the second is the more common. So I got very burned out and thus the 75 per hour service charge. It doesn't matter if it's your security system or your computer or your phone system. You want me to come out and fix it, you're going to pay...COD

I may be crazy, but I'm not stupid...

Lol. i know exactly what you mean. It's worse for me though since the people are all friends or family. I have to be extra nice.

-Ryan Adams
Ryan's
Custom Cables

i just realized that this is a pretty sweet gig for the side. i mean c'mon. $60 for reloading windows and drivers? thats a piece of cake. most of the time ur just waiting for windows to install. heck, i can start my own business. (im 15) my sisters always screw around with my computer, and then i have to fix it. whatever i dont know, i can just ask here :-P nah, i wouldnt feel good knowing that most problems can be fixed for free by just coming here. all u guys that do run ur own business, whats like the most common thing that you do? whats the hardest thing?

Email me for info on how to get a free ipod. No BS and totally legit and works!

Dell Dimension 4600
Pentium 4: 2.66 Ghz
533 Mhz Front-Side Bus
250 W PSU
256 Mb PC2700 RAM
AGP 8x Gefo

Thought I'd give an update. I bought some bussiness cards and printed my name and what I can do on them. In 2 days i personally have handed out 2 to people (on their request) and have had atleast 7 others distributed to people by my family. I'v basivally say I can do any computer related job; installing windwos, security updates and such, installing home networks, etc. And basically I charge $40 /hr + parts and I only charge if i can solve the problem or actualy do what ever it is they want. At first people are sort of unsure if they want to pay $40. But after they hear how good i am from other people, and hear my "guarentee", they give me a chance and are always happy with my service (or so it seams). i jsut try to do a little more than is expected and if they ask i'l lexplain things to them. I try to help people through e-mail or phone first for free. I might not make as much money that way at first, but favorable reviews via word of mouth will in the long run make me more money.

So thanks all for your input and godo luck all you other free lancers.

-Ryan Adams
Ryan's
Custom Cables

Proof reading your written communications to people should become high on your priority list.