Anyone had their own PC repair business

[RU482]

I've been a stay at home dad for about a month now, and I'm feeling the itch to earn a little extra cash.

Just looking for words of wisdom/experiences from people that have done this before (I assume there are a few here)

Are there any legal things I should know of?
I assume I will be able to keep it small enough to run it as a cash business.

 

[MDE]

Make sure you charge for everything so people don't start calling you for every little issue they have.

 

[Mo0o]

What about liability issues. What happens if you mess up and have to reformat their entire drive. or if you think you've fixed the problem and a week later their HD crashes and call you up? I've always wondered about that

 

[RU482]

Around here, I think I could get away with ~1/2hr min, $20/hr (small town Iowa)
does that seem realistic?
I know there is a computer shop around the corner, I need to call and see what they charge I guess.
oh yeah

 

[jmolayal]

Originally posted by: Mo0o
What about liability issues. What happens if you mess up and have to reformat their entire drive. or if you think you've fixed the problem and a week later their HD crashes and call you up? I've always wondered about that

That's an easy one.. Ghost an image of their drive before you start messing with it. Then if they call back and say you messed it up, ghost it back and give them some/all of their money back....

 

[HappyPuppy]

The moment you touch someone's computer and charge them you become their 24/7 bitch. Every little thing that ever goes wrong with it will be your fault.

If you are determined, make every customer sign a liability release form for their data, at least.

 

[orakle]

don't deal with people you know, or the thing HappyPuppy mentioned is worse tenfold

 

[WannaFly]

Originally posted by: HappyPuppy
The moment you touch someone's computer and charge them you become their 24/7 bitch. Every little thing that ever goes wrong with it will be your fault.

If you are determined, make every customer sign a liability release form for their data, at least.

This man speaks the truth.

 

[vi edit]

My word of wisdom is: DON'T.

 

[orakle]

i think that actually counts as two words. But yeah, if you can avoid it, don't go into a business like this. If you do, I think the best thing would be to incorporate (doesn't cost too much) and that way your company is a separate legal entity from you. If someone brings a lawsuit, you're not totally up a creek.

 

[Geekbabe]

You won't be able to charge enough to cover your liquor store bill.End users ....shudder !

 

[ColdFusion718]

Before you start, make an itemized list of services you provide with appropriate rates for them.

Make a section for special circumstances (premium services e.g. housecalls or after hours support), believe me people will pay for this stuff.

Make them sign some legal document saying that you're not responsible for their data and that they've backed things up before bringing their systems to you.

Good luck.

 

[gsaldivar]

It can be very profitable and rewarding if you follow one simple rule:

Never do business with your friends and/or family.

My policy regarding repairs for friends & family: Free, or not at all.

 

[Mr. Lennon]

I will setup customers computers occasionally and I charge 50 bucks an hour (cali). Within that hour I teach them the basics and show them what does what. I also have them sign a form so that Im not liable for their stuff. Never repaired anything, but be sure you have them sign something.

 

[benliong]

Originally posted by: gsaldivar
It can be very profitable and rewarding if you follow one simple rule:

Never do business with your friends and/or family.

My policy regarding repairs for friends & family: Free, or not at all.

So true.