How do you guys set your prices?

[Stealth1024]

I'm working on this guys computer right now... I spent 1 hour on site answering his questions and backing up tons of data for his business. I'm now at home where I will reformat the hard drive, install a new OS, all normal software, and some special business software he wanted. I'll then install driver and software updates and organize shortcuts and perform disk keeping tasks. Tomorrow I will return the computer and spend probably another hour answering questions and finalizing the setup (hook computer up, setup his ISP, etc. etc.).

How much should I charge for something like this? I'm a perfectionist so this could easily take something like 5 hours all in all. Originally I was figuring $20/hour but that seems a tid bit steep.

Let me know what you think...

 

[HyTekJosh]

I charge $20-25 an hour, depending on the job.

 

[phatcow]

WHen i fix whomever's computers, i charge 65 an hour, and usually takes between 2 - 3 hours. I do networking and computer replairs...

 

[GoldenBear]

How do you guys set your prices?

I don't know about that but I always do it for a free or at most a meal.

 

[Idiot56209]

Will work for beer.....














Giving It All Away (Hothouse Flowers)

 

[Stealth1024]

Alright, so I charge him $100 ($20/hour). Don't you think that's a little much for what I did?

 

[MJT2k]

Depending on how much knowledge you gave him for answering his questions $65/hour is not much since I do know people that charge $120/hour (half hour minimum = $60). Is this guy a friend or not? If he is then give him a slight deal $25 or $30 /hour is enough then because if you do great work then you also get word of mouth.

 

[Impact55]

Make a price where he will not feel like he is being gouged so he can reccommend you to others ( if that is what you want), otherwise charge higher . I usually do it for free unless it is a friend of a friend , etc.

 

[Russ]

I just got back from setting up a couple of systems on a client's network (her employees keep bringing in junk from home), and she will be billed $65 per hour, plus hardware, plus all the Whitman chocolates I chowed while I was there.

Oh yeah, talked one of them in to a new system while I was there.

Russ, NCNE

 

[Stealth1024]

lol, I was offered a drink but declined... didn't get chocolates just coffee

and yes word of mouth is good

 

[GoldenBear]

<< and yes word of mouth is good >>

The last thing you want is for everyone to tell everyone in your city that you do &quot;services&quot;.

 

[Mikal]

Alot depends on your location and competition.... I charge between $40 and $50 per hour and that undercuts everyone around here with a retail location....

 

<< The last thing you want is for everyone to tell everyone in your city that you do &quot;services&quot;. >>


Why? Then you can get contracts and bring in some extra cash, mabey get big enough to give up your lame 9-5.

I would set a flat $50 an hour for hardware work.
$65 for any networking involved.

 

[Stealth1024]

true true... Best Buy charges $60/hour

 

[burnedout]

My wife has &quot;offered&quot; my services to her lawyer. He's setting up his own law firm. Building two systems, networking the office and setting them up on DSL.

I know, a potentially bad situation - lawyer.

We are also going at $65.00 per hour. All the hardware will have the longest warranties I can find. UPS and surge protectors on the boxes.

Normally, for everyone else, it's $30-$50 per hour. It's a part-time thing for me.

 

[CarpeDeo]

Wow- If I got a $100 for every time I did something like that . . . I'd be retiring soon.

I'm guessing you're not a professional, right? If you're not a professional, then I think $100 is fair. Professionals can charge like $50 an hour, but that's ludicrous. Not to say that you know any less than professionals . . . but there's a difference even if it is only a title.

EDIT- Well- I guess I assume $50/hr is ludicrous because I've never charged people for setting/troubleshooting computers. But I only help friend's computers . . . <start sappy friendship song> and no amount of money can ever purchase the priceless gift of friendship. <end sappy friendship song>.

 

[Stealth1024]

but: automated restore process means less work, and half the time I'm waiting on the computer anyway...

 

[MJT2k]

Another way to bill for this is to bill the &quot;In House Work&quot; at one rate and the &quot;Of-site work&quot; at a lower rate. Say like $45-$65/hour &quot;In-house&quot; and $20-$40 &quot;Off-site&quot;. Your office is your home or where ever you work on the computer off-site. Actually this is the best way of doing this because them they can't say they got ripped off while you had the machine.

 

[Emulex]

no less than $75/hr for me to breathe near a computer. Usually higher... im poor to motivate, though

 

[spanner]

If only I charged my dad and all my aunts and auncles and cousins for all the times I did that for them, I suppose i can't charge my dad since he is forking out $25,000 a year to put me through college but with all the others I would have a geforce3. As for your pricing, since all you seem to be putting in is your time, I would suggest undercutting the competition.