Hey guys,

I’m going to build someone a computer for money (I’ve been building them for family members as gifts). What should I charge for labor? What would you charge?

Have you considered the fact that you will most likely be held responsible for any problems that they run into. They will probably expect you to be their tech support.

Well some of it would depend on what you are building. If you think it will take you some time to get it done and if it will give you problems. Labor charges can vary with so much. You can either give a set price for the whole thing or break it down to hourly. Call some computer stores around your area and see what they would charge to put a DVD player in if you brought the DVD drive into them. And then you would be able to make your mind up about your own labor charges.

Honey X 030811
k7S5a Pro rev. 5
XP 2400+ @2250ghz Thoroughbred-B
Crucial PC2100 ddr 768
Radeon 9000 64 mb
Maxtor 40g (32g)
Coolmax "Taurus" 450w PS
Asus QT CD/RW
Samsung DVD<br

And I do agree with ham30, you will be responible for whatever problems they may run into even possibly replacing parts out of your own pocket.

Honey X 030811
k7S5a Pro rev. 5
XP 2400+ @2250ghz Thoroughbred-B
Crucial PC2100 ddr 768
Radeon 9000 64 mb
Maxtor 40g (32g)
Coolmax "Taurus" 450w PS
Asus QT CD/RW
Samsung DVD<br

i build /sell computers all the time.
i can build one and have it running xp in 45 minutes. 75.00 labor.
todays computer parts are real well engineered, and xp is great operating system.
out of 50 computers in the last year, no problems. i never have had one come back. now, if the user allows the modem to burn during a storm, thats another kettle of fish.
125.00
complete reinstall of windows, 125.00
its a great second income and pays for all my computer stuff as well.
yesterday, a customer gave me a 21'' intergraph digital monitor free, along with 160.00 for new modem, 256 more ram.
this monitor is like a big screen tv. its wild
go for it pal!!!

Thank you jameco! That's the kind of reply I was looking for!
70.00-80.00 is what I was thinking.

Thanks again!

That's reasonable.

Skip

"How much to charge for labor?"

as much as you can that beats your customer's next best alternative in price and value.

I also build computers, started out as a thing to save friends money, now building and selling to clients. I make sure I buy parts for as cheap as I can and have them stockpiled. I can build a computer from scratch for $250, so I add on $100 for labor. If it's a gaming system, I can build them for around $650, so I charge $200 since there is so much more to do to really make it run correctly and at the right temp. Before I take on a job I check around to see what similar systems are going for in stores (even though compaq and the like ar epieces of crap...)If I can find it somwhere for cheaper, I tell them to go there, b/c I started doing this to help people out from getting ripped off, and I am not about to rip them off. The specs listed for my "computer" are actually a gaming system I am currently working on. I agree wholeheartedly with johnoh, make sure you can do it for less than your competitors or there's nor eason for you to do it.

-Brad

Hey Brad,
Just curious, do you give your clients any warranties? Where do you get your parts?

And does that price ($250) include an OS!? Probably not, but though I should ask anyway. :)