How much do you charge for housecalls to fix PCs?

[Fraggable]

Just curious what you people charge for house calls. I think my $35 is pretty cheap and extremely reasonable considering my skill level.

I am finishing my associates' degree in PC Support and Administration, and have been a network admin for about 1.5 years. I've worked sith PCs on my own for about 5 years, doing hardware and software installs, etc. I am not A+ certified or anything like that.

I just did a house call for someone whose PC was infected with spyware, adware, malware, viruses, P2P software, etc and it took me 1.3 hours. I billed him $43 and he gave me $60. What the heck? Do I not charge enough??

 

[PoloShirt]

LOL @ "1.3 hours"

 

[Viper GTS]

$35 an hour for on-site service?

That's dirt cheap.

Mechanics charge $60 or more an hour and make you bring the car to them.

Something like $50 just to show up (with 1/2 hour included), $60 an hour thereafter would be appropriate.

Viper GTS

 

[FoBoT]

you should charge much much more

 

[acemcmac]

For new clients, housecalls (assuming I have to format and can't take the box with me) start at $200-250. I give breaks to people who come out with beer while I'm working or give me any other side perks... or let me bang their oldest daughter (if hot)

 

[MisterJackson]

$115 per hour with a $15 trip charge. (BTW, it's a one hour minimum, if it takes me 5 minutes or 59)

 

[dainthomas]

I usually round up to the next hour.

 

[neovan]

I charge $80/hr.

 

[dquan97]

$50/hr

 

[SonnyDaze]

I recommend all my friends to the Geek Squad. I just like to see that VW pull up.

Edit: You're price is low but you'll probably get more refs/business that way. Especially if you do a good job. :thumbsup:

 

[z42]

You are not charging enough. My gardener is more expensive than you are.

If you are competent, you should charge at least $40/hour, and round to at minimum the nearest 1/2 hour after that, if not the hour. If you are doing in home service, you should charge at least $50 for the first hour/travel IMO.

 

[TeeJay1952]

I do it for free. I try to help folks that can't afford anyone else. I am not competeing with you guys, just a retired guy giving back to the community.

 

[isekii]

Originally posted by: TeeJay1952
I do it for free. I try to help folks that can't afford anyone else. I am not competeing with you guys, just a retired guy giving back to the community.

The only problem with that is. They'll eventually start bugging you for the littlest thing.
Act like you are expected to fix the problem when they arise.

 

[cubby1223]

If all you're doing is side work & not as a full time job, then $35 per hour is probably about right. But if you're trying to do this kind of work for a living, and will be ready to help someone almost on the drop of a dime, then you have to move up to alteast $75 per hour.

 

[cubby1223]

But you always have to be careful with house calls and what you charge, because too many people know that they can purchase a full computer from the Dell Outlet store for $200.

 

[pinion9]

$90/hour.
1 hour minimum, rounded to the nearest half hour.
50% discount to some reputable people (read: doctors and PAs) if they refer me to other physicians.

 

[Hossenfeffer]

Originally posted by: acemcmac
For new clients, housecalls (assuming I have to format and can't take the box with me) start at $200-250. I give breaks to people who come out with beer while I'm working or give me any other side perks... or let me bang their oldest daughter (if hot)

Ok... it's an odd morning. I picture a couple in the kitchen discussing how they can't pay the bill for the tech guy working on the computer in the den.

A pause as they look each other.

Then they slowly turn to their oldest daughter...

 

[RichUK]

nm

 

[ScottFern]

OP how do you advertise? I would love to do this, but I have no good way of getting my name out there.

 

[ChaoZ]

What kind of things do you guys actually do when you go fix their computers? Is it mostly software related? Sounds like a good side job.

 

[dainthomas]

Originally posted by: cubby1223
But you always have to be careful with house calls and what you charge, because too many people know that they can purchase a full computer from the Dell Outlet store for $200.

If it looks like it's going to be more than $100, I usually tell them they're better off getting a new computer. With me building it, of course.

 

[Rogodin2]

We charge $40per hour with a minimum of $20 per call.

$30 in shop.

We've been in buisness for 1 year in a town of 5000 population - and it's becoming very busy

No other shop in town

I think it also depends on where you are and what your competition is.

Rogo

 

[lightpants]

$40 an hour, 1 hour minimum, after 1 hour, rounded off to the nearest 1/2 hour.

 

[Viper GTS]

Originally posted by: dainthomas

With me building it, of course.

That's just about the worst thing you could possibly do.

You can't compete with Dell. Period.

Viper GTS

 

[jlbenedict]

That $60 he gave you is still cheaper than if he was to take his PC to the "Geek Squad".