How do you charge for your networking and computer services?

[Rufio]

Hello

How much do you charge for your networking services?

This is what I would be doing:
*setting up 6 workstations on the network
*write out a simple wiring diagram for the network (very easy network. the wiring and jacks are all in the walls)
*setting up a file server and a tape backup solution
*moving all files onto the file server
*setting up the file server w/user permissions
*roaming profiles
*fresh format of Windows XP Pro on each computer (about 8 of them total)
*misc small issues (like installing printer drivers, etc)

Would you charge flat fee or an hourly thing?

If Flat fee, how much?

If hourly, how much?

Thanks everyone! I really appreciate your input.

 

[Yossarian]

hourly, maybe $100/hr? definitely have a contract up front and MAKE SURE it is clear regarding support!

 

[FoBoT]

offer to do it for half of what the other guy wants if you do no support or double what the other guy wants if you provide support

 

[fs5]

yeah no support or some 48 year guy might threaten you with his friends in low areas

 

[SammyBoy]

I did a similar job for my dad's friends company. I did it for 35 dollars and 6 shares of their common stock after their IPO. They aren't doing too well

 

[Rufio]

They prefer to do flat fee...but i am very hestitant about that....simply because computers are a bitch to work on (as you all know).

they know I will not cheat them, because this gig is a referral from one of my best friends.

they were just really burned by the previous guy, and are very weary about being cheated again. Not by me, but just in general.

Also, what kind of contract should I draw up? Do you guys have any examples or anything like that?

Thanks for your great advice so far...I really appreciate it.

 

[Rufio]

^

 

[mpitts]

Hourly. Agree upon terms prior to doing the work and have something SIGNED by the client stating how much will be paid per hour. Include a rough quote so they don't freak out after you have finished.

 

[Spac3d]

Originally posted by: PipBoy
hourly, maybe $100/hr? definitely have a contract up front and MAKE SURE it is clear regarding support!

$100/hr:Q:Q:Q:Q!?!?!?!

 

[crisp82]

yeah no support or some 48 year guy might threaten you with his friends in low areas

ROFLMFAO!!

;beer for you

 

[Rufio]

Originally posted by: Spac3d

Originally posted by: PipBoy
hourly, maybe $100/hr? definitely have a contract up front and MAKE SURE it is clear regarding support!

$100/hr:Q:Q:Q:Q!?!?!?!

actually i was going to charge them that much...

i had brang up that price, and they thought it was cheap

 

[amdskip]

$40/format/install xp each computer

 

[Peks]

charging for tech support is highway robbery..god thing im on the giving end and not receiving.

 

[chin311]

i used to do it on the side somedays...

like 25$/hr, no taxes tho

 

[vi edit]

Just looking at what you need to do, for a flat fee I'd probably charge no less that $1500(if you are claiming taxes, ~$800 if you aren't). That's a pile of work to be done.

Othewise, I'd probably charge $75 an hour for the work if I was actually paying taxes on it and they filed a 1099 on me, or if it was under the table I'd charge ~$40 an hour.

 

[wyvrn]

Only charge flat fee if you think there won't be any major snafus. Too many times I have gone to a client site and spent twice as much time as I planned because of other glitches or issues standing in the way of the job I was trying to do. You can use a combination of flat fee and hourly rate, for example $300 for the first business day, and an hourly rate after that to cover yourself if it goes long.