Do you do computer consulting/repair and how much do you charge?

[Epsil0n00]

For several years now I have informally done computer consulting on the side. It has never been my main source of income, and I have never advertised. It has always been something that I have done for word-of-mouth connections and some people at my work. The nature of my consulting has usually been end-user support dealing with hardware repairs, OS problems, basic training, spyware/virus removal... etc. I usually charge $70/hour unless they are a close friend or something. I insist on being paid "under-the-table" and never claim anything on taxes.

Lately I have been thinking about pursuing it more seriously and possibly even advertising (though, nothing too big like newspaper ads... but just actively spreading the word among people I know instead of letting the business just come to me by chance). I am not sure I want to get into this seriously... so I thought that I should consult my peeps at AT before I make any decisions.

Here's my questions:
- Do you do computer consulting? Is it your main business, or just something you do on the side?
- How much do you charge for your services?
- Have you been successful, and what do you think caused your success or lack of success?
- Any other advice?

Thanks for your input!
Epsil0n

 

[Ryan]

I would only charge one Topher.

 

[Epsil0n00]

Originally posted by: rbloedow
I would only charge one Topher.

Back away from the Topher! Click the little red 'X' on that Google Image Search>Topher window and back away slowly... There are people that can help you.


...thuogh I have to admit it... he is pretty hot, lol

 

[Nocturnal]

I'm about to consider this as an acquaintance of mine is being charged $140.00 an hour by this shop to have a mobo and cpu etc installed. He said they quoted him roughly 3-4 hours. That's A LOT of money for just installing a cpu, mobo and ram. I'm thinking of charging him $150.00 flat out for the installation which would probably take me an hour at most. The only thing stopping me from actually doing it is having the funds to buy a part in case I break something which the company is going to do/offer.

 

[Megatomic]

Wow, I am really undercharging my clients. For friends and acquaintances (sp?) I have been charging $40/hr and for everyone else $50/hr. Maybe I need to reconsider...

 

[Nocturnal]

For family and close friends I don't charge.

 

[Epsil0n00]

have you guys advertised at all, or is it just an informal thing? Do you report any of your income on taxes?

 

[Epsil0n00]

keep the responses comin' --I am interested to know what the general opinion about freelance computer services as businesses.
Thanks!

 

[WannaFly]

Not to thread crap, its just not worth it. This is discussed every week here. The pain and suffering of 24 hour tech support and you being always at fault is not worth any amount of money.

 

[awal]

1 bizallion dollars!!!

 

[TallBill]

NO, I refuse to do it.

 

[Cawchy87]

Close friends and friends of the family I charge nothing.

 

[MustISO]

Originally posted by: Nocturnal
I'm about to consider this as an acquaintance of mine is being charged $140.00 an hour by this shop to have a mobo and cpu etc installed. He said they quoted him roughly 3-4 hours. That's A LOT of money for just installing a cpu, mobo and ram. I'm thinking of charging him $150.00 flat out for the installation which would probably take me an hour at most. The only thing stopping me from actually doing it is having the funds to buy a part in case I break something which the company is going to do/offer.

Holy crap! What a rip-off. I put together complete systems in less time than that. I've done a few systems for free, just to be nice.