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Does anyone here run a PC repair business? Need some advice...

I

idea

Golden Member
I've been strapped for cash lately. I do the part time job/full time student thing. I was thinking that I could make some flyers and go at it with a self-employment thing, a house call computer repair business. I'd fix popups, slowness, freezing, formatting/wiping, you know... normal stuff to make a computer feel like new again.

How much should I charge for something? I was thinking of these prices to start off with...

$50 - Routine tune-up - Remove spyware, cleanup disk space, virus check, windowsupdate if they have a fast connection
$50 - Setting up a computer/dissasembling a computer
$50 - Setting up a wireless network, $25 each computer
$100 - System wipe, take the box home with me for a night or two, probably charge more if they have me sitting there backing up a million things

I'll also do hardware installation for small things, I doubt I'll build PCs from scratch... they should just go to Dell for that. So what do you think? The worst thing I fear is really slow computers. Like people calling me up saying they have a Pentium 200MMX and they want it to feel like WinXP
 
I do about the same thing, prices look fair and reasonable.

Better know your stuff, cause if you do, and you provide a reputable service, word of mouth spreads quickly, and you can find yourself pretty busy.
 
You might want to consider using those prices as Minimum prices... like those prices stand but if it goes into overtime, there is an hourly charge. $50.00 tune up is great, if your in and out in less than 2 hours... but if the system is FUBAR, then after two hours, an hourly charge kicks in.

🙂
 
I think your prices look fine to me. I saw an ad recently for employees of a "Geeks on Call" type of service. The pay was on a comission basis and your mileage would be paid for on your vehicle. It almost seemed like they were seeking out a salesperson instead of a computer tech. I guess most of the money to be made is by pushing upgrades on consumers instead of just trying to fix the initial issue that has happened on their PC.
 
this is the kinda buisness i want to run eventually. i think this kinda thing will only be a portion of the buisness tho, i will also have a location where i build and repair, and maybe sell parts also. also, ive found that the best resource for fixing a computer is anohter computer. most customers probably only have one computer in their house, so it might be a good idea to bring a lappy along with you and find a way to connect it to the net.
 
Microsoft has updates free on CDs.

Free shipping.

Link

*edit*

seems the udpate only CD isn't available. The SP2 CD comes with them though.

The two update CDs, and one SP2 CD all free come in handy often 🙂
 
I did this for awhile... did maybe a hundred computers before i got sick of it.
Here's a list of problems i had with it
1) people's houses... a lot of these computers are on the ground, under the desk... where their smelly feet have been for hours at a time. Also i'm allergic to cats and dust....
2) You might not know what the problem is. They might say their internet doesn't work, and when you go there, it could be spyware has ruined the winsock or tcp/ip. And they might not have their W98 CD to reinstall it. Or drivers could be corrupted (how are you going to get them proper drivers if they don't have the CD), or even worst, their modem is just fvcked. People don't like it when you're over claiming something will only cost $50, but then need to charge them more because their windows is fvcked so bad that reinstalling tcp/ip or winsock doesn't fixes it and you need to reinstall the whole thing... and they don't have Windows. Or paid $50 just to have you tell them they need a new modem.
3) you better know what you're doing. If they want to set up a network, and one computer is using W98, another WinXP with 3 different users with 3 different access, and then a Mac with OSX, you better know how to set all those up quickly, without looking confuse.

People complaining their computer is slow because they have 200MX? Well don't install anything but W98, and it shoudl be fine. Most people understand their computer is slow, and they see ads in the newspapers and EVERYWHERE, so they know if they want a faster computer, they'll need to upgrade. There ARE people that complain their computer have gotten slower, but of course you can do routine maintenance on that and it should bring it back to speed.

Eventually i just had people bring the computers to me, much much easier than travelling out there, and taking a look for 5 mins, and telling the guy he needs a new modem or videocard, and say that'll be $50 please. Have them bring the system to you, and all you waste is 5 mins, and they can leave their computer for you to fix or not... if not, you only lose 5 mins. Also, at your own place, you won't have to look like you're not doing anything when the defrag takes 2 hrs.
 
I used to do this stuff for free, I got out of that business 🙂

Two big questions-

1) Are you going to be willing to pirate software to get their system working? Cuz you know they won't have the Windows/Norton/Word CD for formats.

2) Once they pay you $50+ to fix their computer, every subsequent problem should be free. How are you going to handle that expectation?

If you're young and motivated this isn't a bad idea, but when you figure all the time out I bet you won't be averaging more than minimum wage 🙂
 
Originally posted by: PatrickBateman
I once told my wifes friend $20 to remove spyware/viruses. 3 and a half hours later.....
Click to expand...
That's right. You get over to their house and realize they only have 64 MB of RAM and the machine is crawling .... Grr ... 🙁



 
At the moment I have a little CD book with Win95, Win98 SE, Win2000, Win ME, WinXP SP2... so windows install files won't be a problem.

Pirated software... I'd like to keep that to myself. I will be uninstalling the program as soon as I leave their home, though. If they ask why, my excuse will be "i only paid for one license sorry"

I won't touch Macs. Never used them.

I know what it's like to sit down at a FUBAR'd computer. The good thing is, I know within 5 minutes whether the system is salvagable. If it's not, I will tell them the only thing I can do is a full system wipe for a minimum of $100... I'm not gonna go crazy trying to figure out which of their 20 spywares won't allow them to read their email anymore, you know?

*Edit: Oh and I have no schooling. Just my experience. I'm very confident it's enough to go on at this point, I'm not setting up networks for Fortune 500's I'm just running spyware cleaners and setting up SoHo wifi networks or something.
 
Did it for a while, got out of it. People want everything for nothing.

One incident...
The guy couldnt get his scanner working...I went and fixed it, scanned something even. $50 or whatever, woot. 2 weeks later he calls saying it doesnt work anymore...Well he got SubSeven, and I explained what I would do and how much it would cost. After spending x amount of hours on reformatting his system, etc. he refused to pay becaues it should've been fixed "the first time".
 
I do this as a hobby as well as Home Theater stuff setups...as for the PC's, be prepared to spend time on them...bottom line..the simplist thing can take hours. I built a PC for friend( who I thought was), they will be seeing me in small claims court later this month...
 
Originally posted by: idea
At the moment I have a little CD book with Win95, Win98 SE, Win2000, Win ME, WinXP SP2... so windows install files won't be a problem.
Click to expand...

This is fine if you have no moral qualms about piracy i suppose (for the reinstallation of OSes)

I won't touch Macs. Never used them.
Click to expand...

So they called you up asking for networking their computer for internet connection... and you drive 30 mins there, to find there's a Mac. You're just going to say no, and head out?

I know what it's like to sit down at a FUBAR'd computer. The good thing is, I know within 5 minutes whether the system is salvagable. If it's not, I will tell them the only thing I can do is a full system wipe for a minimum of $100... I'm not gonna go crazy trying to figure out which of their 20 spywares won't allow them to read their email anymore, you know?
Click to expand...

LOLOLOL BS. You've never done this before, i can guarantee you some of these things will take longer than 5 mins to assess. Again, if they can't use their internet, how will you know what it is? How will you be able to do a ping test to know whether it's their TCP/IP is the problem? Or without carrying a vanload of stuff, how are you going to know it is the modem that's fvcked or not? And again, how are you going to download drivers for them without internet access?

*Edit: Oh and I have no schooling. Just my experience. I'm very confident it's enough to go on at this point, I'm not setting up networks for Fortune 500's I'm just running spyware cleaners and setting up SoHo wifi networks or something.
Click to expand...

AND THAT'S YOUR PROBLEM. You think people are going to shell out $50 for you to run a couple of spyware cleaners? If all their problem is a few pop up of penises that greets them when they connect to the internet, most of these people would have called their ISP complaining, and their ISP would have introduced them to free spyware scanners.

LOLOL i've set up maybe 20 networks in my life, and i still run into issues like dead NICs, routers that aren't working properly and a hard reset may help... or how about this, when one computer starts up, it causes the router to recycle it's connection. If people are calling you, they're calling you for trouble that they or their friends weren't able to fix. Most of these people would have called a family member or friend to take a look at it for free before calling you. You're NAIVE if you think all you'll be doing is running spyware cleaners and virus scanners. If people are calling you and the problem is spyware, it's because the spyware has done something to the system that you'll need to fix that doesn't go away by just removing the spyware. TCP/IP, winsock, and dialers comes to mind. Or you may need online access to completely remove them (ie hijackers).

LOL you're so naive if you think all you'll be doing are spyware cleaning. Infact, 1/4 of all the things i dealt with were hardware failure, and without another system there, you don't know exaclty what's the problem. If somebody calls you out, and you go over there, and the system doesn't boot, how are you going to know exactly what the issue is? Especially if there's no POST codes? Sure, it only takes 5 mins to know it's a not 'salvageable', so they needed you to drive all the way up there to tell them the computer doesn't work, and he'll need to call a real technician that can find out exactly which part failed?
 
This comes up once a month. Almost everyone agrees it's a bad idea. I've made a couple of bucks doing this for people and it wasn't worth it. There are way too many issues to deal with. Get another job at McDonalds or something, but don't do this.
 
Your prices seem reasonable. I charge businesses $50/hr for little side jobs. When I was working service calls for a company a few years ago, they would bill me at anywhere from $90 to $115 per hour.

Unless you have an established relationship with the person for whom you are providing service, make sure that the customer is aware that the full amount is payable upon completion of the task. Otherwise, you could be waiting months on a $50 check to arrive. Even for established customers, I have them sign an agreement that states that any past due amounts more than 30 days past the invoice date are charged a 15% late fee.
 
Originally posted by: mrrman
I do this as a hobby as well as Home Theater stuff setups...as for the PC's, be prepared to spend time on them...bottom line..the simplist thing can take hours. I built a PC for friend( who I thought was), they will be seeing me in small claims court later this month...
Click to expand...

I guess the most important message is you have to learn how to read people. Walk away from taking the job if something seems fishy. Then again, people could completely catch you off guard.

 
Hardcore is right with most things...


All I'm going to say is enjoy the experience, Be mature about handling the problems you will face. A customer today might be your boss tommorrow.


If at all possible. Take the customers pc back to "the shop" and repair it without them standing over your shoulder.
 
Originally posted by: Hardcore
I did this for awhile... did maybe a hundred computers before i got sick of it.
Here's a list of problems i had with it
1) people's houses... a lot of these computers are on the ground, under the desk... where their smelly feet have been for hours at a time. Also i'm allergic to cats and dust....
2) You might not know what the problem is. They might say their internet doesn't work, and when you go there, it could be spyware has ruined the winsock or tcp/ip. And they might not have their W98 CD to reinstall it. Or drivers could be corrupted (how are you going to get them proper drivers if they don't have the CD), or even worst, their modem is just fvcked. People don't like it when you're over claiming something will only cost $50, but then need to charge them more because their windows is fvcked so bad that reinstalling tcp/ip or winsock doesn't fixes it and you need to reinstall the whole thing... and they don't have Windows. Or paid $50 just to have you tell them they need a new modem.
3) you better know what you're doing. If they want to set up a network, and one computer is using W98, another WinXP with 3 different users with 3 different access, and then a Mac with OSX, you better know how to set all those up quickly, without looking confuse.

People complaining their computer is slow because they have 200MX? Well don't install anything but W98, and it shoudl be fine. Most people understand their computer is slow, and they see ads in the newspapers and EVERYWHERE, so they know if they want a faster computer, they'll need to upgrade. There ARE people that complain their computer have gotten slower, but of course you can do routine maintenance on that and it should bring it back to speed.

Eventually i just had people bring the computers to me, much much easier than travelling out there, and taking a look for 5 mins, and telling the guy he needs a new modem or videocard, and say that'll be $50 please. Have them bring the system to you, and all you waste is 5 mins, and they can leave their computer for you to fix or not... if not, you only lose 5 mins. Also, at your own place, you won't have to look like you're not doing anything when the defrag takes 2 hrs.
Click to expand...

I swear to god that last bit is the best advice you can get! If you work on some one's computer at thier place, you won't necessarily have all the parts to test things out or drivers etc.. Also as your working on the computer, you don't have them looming over your shoulder and you can defrag the system for example when your at school. Question is, what do you do when you get a lot of queries to fix peoples computers? Do you check the computer and tell them with in 5 minutes at what time during the week the you should expect your system so if it's simply easy spyware then end of week but if its a lot bigger then 2 or 3 weeks? People really do expect the impossible and sometimes a lot of problems are actually driver conflict issues (my experience) sure there are cases where it's a bad virus/spyware but a big reason I've seen for stability issues is really bad hardware. Like those damned TBS Montego soundcards that came with the dell XPS systems in 1998, every system that has them is terribly unreliable unless you do a full sys restore and there are too many driver issues to name.
 
Would also agree with most of the points Hardcore made.

One point mildly lost in the shuffle of conversation would be an honest assessment of yourself, and your tolerances. Understand that the venture you are proposing entering is (on average) roughly 30% knowledge, and 70% service - though it can certainly vary. In simplier terms: unless you enjoy the serving aspect (helping others, listening to problems, discussing details with customers in easy to understand terms, being called often with additional questions/problems, etc) as well as the application of knowledge itself, it can be a situation where one burns out quite quickly.

Also would agree with WannaFly in that many customers can want a great deal more service proportionate to whatever amount paid. Be cautious, and upfront with regard to not only pricing but service warranty and future troubleshooting/repair/etc. In writing works best, with said customers signing an agreement of your stipulations.

Good luck.
 
Hardcore, thanks for your advice, I hope I didn't seem that I had the intentions that this would be easy money. I know it's not easy. But, it is the easiest thing for me to making some side money with. I can be my own boss, make my own schedule, and I will gain loads of experience.

I won't be traveling for 30 minutes. I live in an area with high density population. The highest in the USA, in fact. Anyone would probably take about 10 minutes to get to.

I would LOVE to have people bring their PCs to me, but I don't have a "shop." I could imagine myself telling 90% of my customers that the PC needs to be unhooked and brought to my "shop" and they will get it back in a few days good as new.

Bottom line is, the only way I can see if I'd like this gig is if I can try it myself. I also don't want to accept checks, just cash, and I will make that plain and simple on the phone and as soon as I walk in the door.
 
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