Freelance Computer Repair Advice

[rubix]

I am thinking about doing some freelance computer repair stuff, on weekends mainly, and have lots of questions for anyone who has experience with this:

Is it better to charge an hourly rate or go by task performed (ie: 60 minutes to re-install os vs 10 minutes to remove spyware).

How do I determine my prices (for both onsite vs offsite repair)? Also, what confuses me about charging by minutes/hours is that technically if I don't complete a task in the quickest time I am capable of, the customer gets ripped off.

How does customer support factor into this? Should I make them sign something saying they can't call me about anything period?

Also, let's say I clean up their spyware infested computer and put some security/blocking software on their system and then they get more spyware a week later... does this mean I should charge them to remove it again, or is this considered a "faulty" job on my part kinda like a mechanic not fixing your car properly and so he does it again free of charge.

Is it absolutely necessary for me to have my own laptop if I already have premade software cds/dvds and bootdisks etc handy? I am not sure I want to or can afford to buy a laptop right now really.

Is it legal for me to register my own software and then install it on their system temporarily in order to perform a specific task and then unistall it?

Is it legal for me to sell compilation cdrs of completely freeware programs that I recommend they have/use? I assume this depends on each software's license right? What if I sold not for profit but just to cover cost of cdr + time, to help customers out?

Any other suggestions for me? Like stuff to bring (tools, software etc).

I probably have more questions but that's enough I guess.

 

[borosp1]

I would charge hourly rates and not by the task. On the issue with spyware cleaning I would say if you install a virus checker and something like MS Antispyware which runs in the tray there should be no problems. You should not charge them again for the same issue if it happens within a reasnable time frame <20 days.

 

[amdskip]

If possilbe, fixing the machine at your location is the best choice. Convince the customer to let you have it. No sense wasting your time while it does virus and spyware scans. You can have them sign papers saying whatever but they are still going to call you.

 

[BigJ]

I do some freelance work on the side.

For almost anything software related, I charge an hourly rate, with a minimum payment of 1 hour. For hardware tasks, I charge a flat fee, unless it involves something such as reformatting and reinstalling an OS.

I bring with me a small cd book full of freeware and shareware programs. I explain to my customers what shareware is, and how they should support the developers if they continute to use it after I install it.

If a problem arises after I perform maitenence, it's not my fault. I make sure the system is operable before leaving. If you mess it up after I leave, too bad. If spyware pops up after I've just cleaned it, that's not my problem. I will charge you again if I have to come and remove it. You should've followed the sheet I left you detailing safe internet practices.

For onsite vs offsite, I charge at least a $25 premium/hour for onsite service. More if it's nighttime service, or a holiday.

The most important thing is to get it ALL in writing.

 

[episodic]

Make sure you know what you are doing. Operating on someone elses nightmare is just that - a nightmare. What are you gonna do if you run a spyware scanner and reboot, and suddenly the computer won't reboot into windows? Then they start crying about some baby picture or something.

Not saying you don't have skills, but you need to get it in writing, let them know that the computer is currently a wash - and if you are able to recover it - great - but if not - it isn't your fault.

 

[Scarpozzi]

Best policy...don't service individuals....service businesses. If you do your business through individuals. you're going to be stuck working with slower equipment and morons behind the keyboards...

You'd be better off at least working for businesses so you can get compensated for it accordingly without having some yokel get mad when you charge them $45+ an hour for driving 30 miles to get to their house in traffic and then have to put up with their crying kid and breathing smoke from their stuffed ashtray while their dusty 486 sputters away on the upgrade version of Windows 95A that they got from a friend in 1996.

 

[episodic]

Originally posted by: Scarpozzi
Best policy...don't service individuals....service businesses. If you do your business through individuals. you're going to be stuck working with slower equipment and morons behind the keyboards...

You'd be better off at least working for businesses so you can get compensated for it accordingly without having some yokel get mad when you charge them $45+ an hour for driving 30 miles to get to their house in traffic and then have to put up with their crying kid and breathing smoke from their stuffed ashtray while their dusty 486 sputters away on the upgrade version of Windows 95A that they got from a friend in 1996.

I screen those myself Scarpozzi. If it does not have Win2k or above I don't mess with it. I offer to build em a shiny new one for 400.00 though

 

[rubix]

Hmm, now I have more things to consider.

Well I sort of wanted to work for individuals and go by word of mouth in my local area or something because I wanted to do this as a side job and also not have to answer to anyone but myself. Looks like this might require more professionalism than I have with trying to make up all sorts of documents to sign and stuff.

Plus I was thinking about doing this "off the records" so to speak. Maybe that's a bad idea too.

Thanks.