How much do you charge for housecalls to fix PCs?

[Maxspeed996]

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.

I've done more darned free work than I can remember....I've grown weary of it too. And so has my wife! LOL! It started to take time away from my home life...
Depending on the problem , I never did charge anyone to just look at something. But if they needed something actually done....

Cleanup (spyware/adware , "little-virus issues") $20-$30
Complete Wipe / Format / Reinstallation and updates - $50 - $80
Build a new machine - $200 over cost of machine (this includes limited tech support later)

If you stay busy , and you are happy with your $$ then leave your prices alone. You are doing a service that takes someone with advanced knowledge , and that comes at a premium.

 

[zikronix]

50.00 per hour - 1 hour minimum.

billed in $25 half hour increments. For example if i was there for 1 hour and 1 minute that would be 75.00 if I was there for 1 hour and 31 minutes that would be 100.00.

Certain Quick things I charge a fixed rate for.

Cleanup (spyware/adware , "little-virus issues")(1 Hour max) 60.00
Complete Wipe / Format / Reinstallation and updates (This includes cleaning the machine, dust, lint removal) - 125.00
Build a new machine - $200 over cost of machine (this includes limited tech support later)

Networking Rates are different though. I start at 25.00 an for the first hour plus a 50.00 consultation fee just to get started. Than after that its 75.00 an hour for design and configure.

Running cable I charge 100.00 per drop this covers supplies and me running it. I ran 5 drops a few days ago. and I came out with 450.00 profit. Took me about 3 hours.

 

[Fraggable]

Thanks for all the replies.

I knew I was cheap, I didn't realize how much some of you charged. I dont' recommend the Geek Squad, ever because I've dealt with plenty of their garbage. I recommend they have the manufacturer fix it or refer them to a local repair shop run by a huge IT firm that happens to be based here.

I work at a school, and many parents and faculty + staff ask me to work on their systems. I don't actively advertise but word gets around. I do like to keep it relatively cheap since I would like to gain referrals and a better customer base. Someday I'd like to think I could run a small business, maybe just part time.

I don't normally build systems for people unless they have a special need for it to be extra-durable. Most manufacturers use sub-par PSUs and hard drives and I tell them if they want something that will last longer I can build it but it will cost substantially more than a Dell with a rebate. You'd be surprised how many people like that idea.

And I do work for free/dirt cheap on occasion if I have a special interest or there's a good reason. After all, we should all do nice things every once in a while right?

 

[sswingle]

Round your 1.3 up to 1.5 or 2.0, and you'll be all set.

 

[Tsaico]

I agree that $30 is a pretty cheap. I charge $25/hr for a Public Relations group here, but that is because I Solve their problems when I am available, not when they have it. I figure the discounted price of dealing with their issue on the weekend vs when they call is worth it to me. Pluse then I can let it all pile up and work for a couple of hours on the weekend, instead of going in for 10 minutes and go back home.

But if you are doing this as a actual job you should charge mroe. I wouldn't charge as much as best buy since they have certain things like regular hours, generally greater availablility, insurance, etc. But $30 is cutting yourself a little short.

 

[fire400]

free

 

[amddude]

$60/hr

 

[JackBurton]

$100 per hour. Why? Because I don't want to do it. If it's REALLY that important, they'll pay it. If it's not, they won't. Either way it's fine with me.

 

[mrSHEiK124]

Does everyone that replied do PC repair for a living or as a side job?

 

[Riverhound777]

We charge $140/hour where I work. Too bad I only get paid $14/hour

Oh and if anyone knows of an IT job in the San Luis Obispo Area within the next 5 months or so, i'm looking to move there

 

[manlymatt83]

Originally posted by: FoBoT
you should charge much much more

 

[fitzov]

with the tax, 50$/hr

 

[DainBramaged]

$150 per hour.

 

[akshatp]

Originally posted by: 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.

That is a bit outrageous and vague. What if the person has an XPS gaming system which cost $2000 last year and now needs a new HD? Is it really feasible to tell this person that the PC he bought is now not worth fixing?

I think it is all relative. Sure, if he bought a Celeron dimension from dell, then throw it away, but you cant say this across the board.

 

[Rumpltzer]

To keep things in perspective, I've extensively researched the listings on Craig's List and there are women charging $200/hr OUTCALL and $160/hr INCALL.


They're not providing service to your computer, but I assume that satisfaction will be achieved.

 

[Fritzo]

You're cheap. I'm $60/hr residential $100/hr business, billable in 15 min. sections.

At your price you're going to get a lot of grandmas bugging you at all hours of the night.

 

[brtspears2]

Home Charges:
I charge $75 first hour, $50 additional hour, 15 minute section billing. For travel, I charge on county instead of mileage, due to many people complaining on a per mile charge. I charge $30 for Riverside County (Anywhere between Temecula and Riverside), $45 for Orange County (anywhere).

Corportate Charges:
$125/hr, $75 travel anywhere, 15 minute increments.

 

[cker]

I think it reall matters how experienced you are and where you're at. When I was in school, I got $25 - $75 per hour depending on client and job. Certain clients got a break, some got a higher rate, depending. The rate was also very high during certain times -- for instance, I migt fix X's computer for $25/hour, but the first time he called me at 2:30 a.m., his standard rate doubled. Exam week -- never under $50. Why? Too many people needed their stuff fixed at the last minute, and I needed to study -- so I could charge more and did.

But about the normal I could charge and stay busy was $45 per hour. At the same time I had a friend in New Orleans whose standard rate was $125 per hour. He lived in a big city, I lived in a small town. But unless I really need the money, I generally charge what my time's worth to me. If I am not hurting for cash I'd rather work less for a good rate, than work more for a lower rate.

 

[thomsbrain]

when i did this 5 years ago, i charge $50/hour, with a 1 hour minimum. i didn't mark up parts at all, but i did charge for the time it took me to obtain them.

 

[thomsbrain]

Originally posted by: 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

i only found that to be true for low-end POS boxes. for anything remotely cutting-edge, i could build it, tack on $500 or so for labor, and still undercut Dell by a hefty sum.

 

[Fraggable]

I don't do this for a living at all, just for extra money to spend on PC upgrades for myself, really. As you can see in my sig I do fairly well

If I did it for a living it would probably be more like $75/hr + travel.

I make it very clear that I do in fact bill for phone support and that realy cuts down on grandmas calling for support. Once they get a bill in their email for a 5 minute phone call it hits home and they quit.

I don't add to parts cost very often, If I do it's to round out a price on an order. I like to give my customers the original invoice for the parts, which has the cost printed on it anyway. If I'm working for a business I make up a bill and put my own prices on it. They dan't care what the parts cost, they just need a record.

thanks a lot for all the responses, I think I have a feel for what the market is like now.

 

[TreyRandom]

Holy crap, that's cheap.

I charge friends $60/hr, and $90/hr to everyone else. And that's a personal rate... the company I worked for last year billed me out at $100-$125/hr.

 

[QueBert]

I charge $48 an hour I was charging $50 but a neighbor I do work for was telling me how people don't like 50, as it sounds like half of something (50%) he studies people and their behaviors in his spare time so maybe he knew something I don't.

I have business cards and fliers, but honestly most of my business comes from word of mouth. If you're good people will catch on. Problem is a lot automatically assume calling the Geek Squad will get them better service with a big name behind it. If you know what you're doing people learn though

 

[Fraggable]

Originally posted by: QueBert
I charge $48 an hour I was charging $50 but a neighbor I do work for was telling me how people don't like 50, as it sounds like half of something (50%) he studies people and their behaviors in his spare time so maybe he knew something I don't.

I have business cards and fliers, but honestly most of my business comes from word of mouth. If you're good people will catch on. Problem is a lot automatically assume calling the Geek Squad will get them better service with a big name behind it. If you know what you're doing people learn though

I replaced a laptop motherboard for $180 parts (would have been $450 from Dell) from ebay and $50 of work (45 mins to replace it). They know I'm good now and I got 3 referrals from them within a few weeks.

I need to get some business cards to hand out when people ask, that's a good idea. Normally I email them but a card would be useful.

 

[Eli]

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)

OMG, I so gotta get in on this.

:laugh:

Originally posted by: 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...

Bwhahahaha...


/cues cheezy 70s music.... lol