How much should I charge for networking three office room for my gf 's boss =]
She is a rich sob, and im a poor student.. so ?
She is a rich sob, and im a poor student.. so ?
POLL: How much should I charge for networking..
- Thread starter TurtleMan
- Start date
Are you running wires through walls, installing patch panels,...? More work = more $; perhaps give her a per-hour rate?
Totally depends on the work you're doing. If you're talking in-wall drops, punchdowns, etc., that's a lot of work that the local electrical union would charge big bucks for. I guess it depends on the physical structure of the job. Do the drops to the offices already exist? Are you just snaking cable along the floorboard to each room and plugging into a an unmanaged hub? Or are we talking smart switches and routers?
I guess more details are needed. Location also affects your rate; someone in Chicago, Atlanta or Boston will charge more per hour than the whole job in Lake Wobegon.
It's also touchy because it's your g/f's boss. Did she "volunteer" you, per se? Or are you expected to charge normal commercial rates? Honestly, if it's as simple as it sounds, I'd follow Spidey's advice and have a cap in place.
And I'm assuming you don't have professional experience doing this, else you'd have a rate in mind. So just say $100 + materials.
I guess more details are needed. Location also affects your rate; someone in Chicago, Atlanta or Boston will charge more per hour than the whole job in Lake Wobegon.
It's also touchy because it's your g/f's boss. Did she "volunteer" you, per se? Or are you expected to charge normal commercial rates? Honestly, if it's as simple as it sounds, I'd follow Spidey's advice and have a cap in place.
And I'm assuming you don't have professional experience doing this, else you'd have a rate in mind. So just say $100 + materials.
Umm.. basically i think i have to hook up DSL, and network them into 3 different computers
and enable printer sharing. That's about it ... im in LA and i just know how to setup basic network
i don't have to those crazy stuff like punchdown etc. ...
so charge by hours ? $100 seem a little bit low ...
$250 perhap, since she doesn't really know wat's going on ....
and enable printer sharing. That's about it ... im in LA and i just know how to setup basic network
i don't have to those crazy stuff like punchdown etc. ...
so charge by hours ? $100 seem a little bit low ...
$250 perhap, since she doesn't really know wat's going on ....
I would recommend charging something between not worth your time and sticker shock for her (your gf boss)
this way you can keep her from calling you all the time cause your prices are extremely cheap but not hesitate to give you a call on the mid to larger jobs where both to her and you it is worth the trip
Raping and pilliging the IT sector is what got most of the greedy IT economy where it is today so going back to that way of thinking will not get you any repeat jobs.
this way you can keep her from calling you all the time cause your prices are extremely cheap but not hesitate to give you a call on the mid to larger jobs where both to her and you it is worth the trip
Raping and pilliging the IT sector is what got most of the greedy IT economy where it is today so going back to that way of thinking will not get you any repeat jobs.
Your kidding right? For plugging in some wires and configuring some software? 50 an hour with 100 minimum. Maybe a bit higher if you have to drive any discernible distance and since your in LA perhaps higher is the going rate but it sounds like what your doing is extremely basic. I guess if you don't mind ripping the woman off
Kinda what is sounds like. Shame.
Garion
Platinum Member
- Apr 23, 2001
- 2,330
- 6
- 81
Agreed with KTWebb. Set a decent hourly rate, with a minimum. If they are not comfortable with that, also give them a "not-to-exceed" bid, too. Probably $50/hr, $100 minimum, not to exceed $250.
Also be sure to make it clear that you'll charge them the same hourly rate for future work, minimum of 1 hour, plus a travel fee (depending on how far away you live).
- G
Also be sure to make it clear that you'll charge them the same hourly rate for future work, minimum of 1 hour, plus a travel fee (depending on how far away you live).
- G
umm nice suggestions guys, thanks a lot !
i think i will go for the $50/hrs and 100 minimum and max $250 for configing her stuffs...
alrite im going to check her out wat she wants me to do now ..
i think i will go for the $50/hrs and 100 minimum and max $250 for configing her stuffs...
alrite im going to check her out wat she wants me to do now ..
I'll agree too.
Do an hourly rate, $50 is reasonable. I'd also do just a one hour minimum. It's always a difficult thing to charge a lot of money for something you find easy to do...just keep in mind it's impossible for him to do on his own and any regular company will rip him off ten times over for the same work.
You said a GF was involved here as well...perhaps a barter instead of a fee...tell him you'll do it if he sends the both of you somewhere for the weekend.
Do an hourly rate, $50 is reasonable. I'd also do just a one hour minimum. It's always a difficult thing to charge a lot of money for something you find easy to do...just keep in mind it's impossible for him to do on his own and any regular company will rip him off ten times over for the same work.
You said a GF was involved here as well...perhaps a barter instead of a fee...tell him you'll do it if he sends the both of you somewhere for the weekend.
I like to do the first job to custs like that for cheap, so I can get to do other stuff like custom builds for them later. Might be something to think about, then again I do this on the side stupidly cheap anyway just for something to do on the weekends. But $35/hr+expenses(cable, jacks, etc.) is a bare minimum for this kind of work. Phone guys with no degree or tech skills make like $16-18/hr pulling and terminating cable (I know cause I've hired a few for larger jobs before), while their bosses get closer to $75-$100/hr-overhead(taxes,ss,etc.). Keep that in mind for anything you do.
Garion
Platinum Member
- Apr 23, 2001
- 2,330
- 6
- 81
Whoopst - Wait a second here. You ALWAYS need to know exactly what the expect you to do before you bid a job. "Network three computers and a printer" might mean, to them running the cables through the walls, building a file share on each computer, setting up user accounts, setting up backups, train them all how to use everything and then be available for support afterwards. You are NOT going to do all this for $200.
The key to a successful consulting job is to properly set expectations. Make sure you understand exactly what they want, and make sure they understand exactly what you're going to do. Once this is clear, go think about how long you expect it to take, and come up with a reasonable not-to-exceed bid, if you decide to go this route - IE, if you think it's going to take from 3-4 hours @$50/hr, set a not-to-exceed bid of $250. That gives you some overhead.
Don't ever, ever go into a job with a not-to-exceed bid without having clear written tasks that you expect you'll be doing and agreement from everyone that this is what's going to happen. You could get burned and/or your client could get burned. Not a good situation.
- G
Depends what you're doing...at my home I had to get into the attic to run some wires between rooms and I"d rather not do that again! lol. So it depends on the work involved, hardest part being getting the wires from point A to point B. (and not having the go all over the place)
SaigonK
Diamond Member
For networking system I charge $75 an hour and that it about $25 or so cheaper than any other local VAR or computer store.
Of course this is for a 3 machine minimum, if it is below that set limit, I only charge $40 per hour with a one hour minimum.
byt his i mean...the office is already networked, I dont have to punch down cables or anything, I simply need to get them on the LAn and working.\
Of course this is for a 3 machine minimum, if it is below that set limit, I only charge $40 per hour with a one hour minimum.
byt his i mean...the office is already networked, I dont have to punch down cables or anything, I simply need to get them on the LAn and working.\
networking 3 pc with printer is easy, heck
buy a router, put NIC, bingo
figure out how to backup add assign user account and technical support + trouble shoot = no fun
buy a router, put NIC, bingo
figure out how to backup add assign user account and technical support + trouble shoot = no fun
Please read and then re-read Garion's post above. Then read it again.
Personally, I charge $75/hr for poorly defined tasks. I will charge a flat fee for a job where what needs to be done is known EXACTLY beforehand.
Hell, yesterday (which was a Sunday), a client called me up frantic that they could not get their e-mail. So I went over there (a 10 minute drive) to troubleshoot, and ended up having to format and reinstall Win98 because they had fudged it up so bad it would not work anymore. Most of the time was spent watching the football game while Windows loaded. I was there for 4 hours, they gave me lunch and $250.
Have you ever heard this consultant story? Seems a factory had a highly complex machine that produced widgets. No one there had any idea how it worked, but their livelihood depended on this machine. One day, the widget machine broke down, and since no one at the factory knew how to fix it, they had to call in a consultant. So the consultant shows up, spends about an hour looking at the machine, and then reaches into his pocket, pulls out a piece of chalk, and places a mark on a certain part of the machine. He tells the factory's maintenance man to replace that part, and all would be well. So the part is replaced and the widget machine is back in operation. Later, the factory receives a bill from the consultant for $50,000. Outraged, the plant manager calls the consultant and demands an itemized bill justifying his fee. Happily, the consultant sends the following information:
Critical Widget Machine Repair Invoice
1 chalk mark - $1
knowing where to put chalk mark - $49,999
Or this definition of a consultant:
A consultant is someone you hire to use your watch to tell you what time it is, who then keeps the watch as payment.
Happy Veteran's Day!
Personally, I charge $75/hr for poorly defined tasks. I will charge a flat fee for a job where what needs to be done is known EXACTLY beforehand.
Hell, yesterday (which was a Sunday), a client called me up frantic that they could not get their e-mail. So I went over there (a 10 minute drive) to troubleshoot, and ended up having to format and reinstall Win98 because they had fudged it up so bad it would not work anymore. Most of the time was spent watching the football game while Windows loaded. I was there for 4 hours, they gave me lunch and $250.
Have you ever heard this consultant story? Seems a factory had a highly complex machine that produced widgets. No one there had any idea how it worked, but their livelihood depended on this machine. One day, the widget machine broke down, and since no one at the factory knew how to fix it, they had to call in a consultant. So the consultant shows up, spends about an hour looking at the machine, and then reaches into his pocket, pulls out a piece of chalk, and places a mark on a certain part of the machine. He tells the factory's maintenance man to replace that part, and all would be well. So the part is replaced and the widget machine is back in operation. Later, the factory receives a bill from the consultant for $50,000. Outraged, the plant manager calls the consultant and demands an itemized bill justifying his fee. Happily, the consultant sends the following information:
Critical Widget Machine Repair Invoice
1 chalk mark - $1
knowing where to put chalk mark - $49,999
Or this definition of a consultant:
A consultant is someone you hire to use your watch to tell you what time it is, who then keeps the watch as payment.
Happy Veteran's Day!
You still havn't given a description of exactly what you're doing.
1)Are you just running leads from each computer to the hub/switch or are you actually mounting wall sockets and using proper patch panels?
2)Are you installing a rack to keep the equipment or just leaving it on the office floor?
3)Does your fee involve parts, or is that just the labour charge?
4)What configuration do you actually have to do?
5)Do you have to document your work?
6)What level of support are you expected to provide? (Training etc...)
If it is literally trailing three cables, installing three network cards and tweaking windows then $100 is on the high end of reasonable. If you're installing network ports and writing basic documentation, $200 is more realistic.
If you have a proper job specification you can afford not to charge by the hour.
1)Are you just running leads from each computer to the hub/switch or are you actually mounting wall sockets and using proper patch panels?
2)Are you installing a rack to keep the equipment or just leaving it on the office floor?
3)Does your fee involve parts, or is that just the labour charge?
4)What configuration do you actually have to do?
5)Do you have to document your work?
6)What level of support are you expected to provide? (Training etc...)
If it is literally trailing three cables, installing three network cards and tweaking windows then $100 is on the high end of reasonable. If you're installing network ports and writing basic documentation, $200 is more realistic.
If you have a proper job specification you can afford not to charge by the hour.
Sorry guys, i finally get to have some more informations today..
basically it is a brand new office that im doing , they are having T1 line coming in , and the office wall is not the solid kind .. more like wooden and hollow inside..
What i need to do is , since T1 only come with 1 account , and my client need to have her 3 computer networked together and be able to share files, and since someone outside might come in and use computer, so im required to add some sort of security each computer.
I do not need to do anything crazy, but all i need to do is
1) Make a network ....A router - 3 NIC cards connected them and be able to share files, and share printer
2) No doucment/ no Rack, it is just sort of like a home network
3) I will have to train my client on how to use it
4) I have to buy parts and bill her...
5) I will have to creat user account, since there is valuable information on my client's computer which she doesnt' want outsider to be able to see..
6) She also asked me to HELP her choose 2 computers for her.. Dell brand ..
7) Oh yea.. also I need to get a printer too......
But now my question is:
1) I think im going wireless setup, since it is much more convience. Also the place they going to drop the T1 line at is inside a storage room, so I think that's where i will have my wireless router at , but im still unsure about the range and everything, I only have my wireless router and notebook, i'v never tried it on PC , i assume it is would be about the same .. I think the router to the office is about 20-30 feet, but with the office wall, i dont know how efficent wirless router will perform under it .. any ideas ?
2) Now i have a much better descriptions on what I needed to do.. so how much should i charge her now..
Should i just charge her flat 300$ fee for my labor ? Would that sound too overprice for the stuff i need to do ?
3) About security, I know i can just not enable file sharing or anything on her computer and disable guest account, and she would be fine ... but she is on win95/win98.. will that creat a problem ? What im thinking here is that I will creat account login on each computer, and for outsider , they can use the guest account , will that be fine ?
4) when they drop the T1 line in the storage area, what do i have do? do i just link up a router with it ? I don't really get wat does "Drop line" mean...
5) For printer sharing.. should i just connect the printer on the router.. if the router support it .. or just leave the computer on my client's main computer and have other ppl print from it.. bc i doubt that many people gonna print stuff from it ..
6) What do you think i should do the best for my situation, wirelss or wired setup. I know if i got wireless, then i will have to set up Encryption on the router.. since we do want other ppl to use our wireless network neway, and i dont' have to get those long cable line in the office...
Thank you guys so much for helping out and giving me all those valuable suggestions .. and im sorry if i have a lot grammer errors =P
but i really really appreicate it !!
basically it is a brand new office that im doing , they are having T1 line coming in , and the office wall is not the solid kind .. more like wooden and hollow inside..
What i need to do is , since T1 only come with 1 account , and my client need to have her 3 computer networked together and be able to share files, and since someone outside might come in and use computer, so im required to add some sort of security each computer.
I do not need to do anything crazy, but all i need to do is
1) Make a network ....A router - 3 NIC cards connected them and be able to share files, and share printer
2) No doucment/ no Rack, it is just sort of like a home network
3) I will have to train my client on how to use it
4) I have to buy parts and bill her...
5) I will have to creat user account, since there is valuable information on my client's computer which she doesnt' want outsider to be able to see..
6) She also asked me to HELP her choose 2 computers for her.. Dell brand ..
7) Oh yea.. also I need to get a printer too......
But now my question is:
1) I think im going wireless setup, since it is much more convience. Also the place they going to drop the T1 line at is inside a storage room, so I think that's where i will have my wireless router at , but im still unsure about the range and everything, I only have my wireless router and notebook, i'v never tried it on PC , i assume it is would be about the same .. I think the router to the office is about 20-30 feet, but with the office wall, i dont know how efficent wirless router will perform under it .. any ideas ?
2) Now i have a much better descriptions on what I needed to do.. so how much should i charge her now..
Should i just charge her flat 300$ fee for my labor ? Would that sound too overprice for the stuff i need to do ?
3) About security, I know i can just not enable file sharing or anything on her computer and disable guest account, and she would be fine ... but she is on win95/win98.. will that creat a problem ? What im thinking here is that I will creat account login on each computer, and for outsider , they can use the guest account , will that be fine ?
4) when they drop the T1 line in the storage area, what do i have do? do i just link up a router with it ? I don't really get wat does "Drop line" mean...
5) For printer sharing.. should i just connect the printer on the router.. if the router support it .. or just leave the computer on my client's main computer and have other ppl print from it.. bc i doubt that many people gonna print stuff from it ..
6) What do you think i should do the best for my situation, wirelss or wired setup. I know if i got wireless, then i will have to set up Encryption on the router.. since we do want other ppl to use our wireless network neway, and i dont' have to get those long cable line in the office...
Thank you guys so much for helping out and giving me all those valuable suggestions .. and im sorry if i have a lot grammer errors =P
but i really really appreicate it !!
Garion
Platinum Member
- Apr 23, 2001
- 2,330
- 6
- 81
On technology..
Remember that a T1 has it's own dedicated router. Some kinds can be used for a firewall, DHCP server, etc. but most can't. You'll probably need a secondary router. If you can sell 'em on it, use a Cisco PIX 501 (~$500). Otherwise, any one of the SOHO broadband routers will do the trick.
On wireless - NO way. It's too easy to break into and too unreliable to replace physical cabling at this point. You can protect it all you want, but there are far too many security flaws in 802.11 to make it an acceptable solution.
From a job bidding perspective, think of how long it's going to take you to do each thing..
1: Run cabling around the office. A real pain - You have to get into the ceiling to run the cable, you'll have to punch down the wall jacks at both ends, etc. For three offices, if you get LUCKY you're looking at ~3-4 hours.
2: Setup the T1 and it's router: Figure about 3 hours, could be up to 8 if you run into problems. You might have to configure this router from scratch, or you might have to just plug it in. Depends on how good your ISP is.
3: Setup your gateway router and switch - 2 hours
4: Install the NIC's on the computers and get them sharing files - 2 hours
5: Install the shared printer and get it installed everywhere - 1 hour
6: Get all the security setup and all the account shares, etc. 1 hour
7: Train the users on how to access everything: 2 hours
If I was at your level of networking, I'd bid the job at approximately fifteen hours, but make them pay actual work with a cap of 20 hours. A lot of the time variability in the hours deend on the building and how easy it is to put in cable and the ISP, and how well they are or organized with the T1 router setup, etc, things generally beyond your control.
- G
Remember that a T1 has it's own dedicated router. Some kinds can be used for a firewall, DHCP server, etc. but most can't. You'll probably need a secondary router. If you can sell 'em on it, use a Cisco PIX 501 (~$500). Otherwise, any one of the SOHO broadband routers will do the trick.
On wireless - NO way. It's too easy to break into and too unreliable to replace physical cabling at this point. You can protect it all you want, but there are far too many security flaws in 802.11 to make it an acceptable solution.
From a job bidding perspective, think of how long it's going to take you to do each thing..
1: Run cabling around the office. A real pain - You have to get into the ceiling to run the cable, you'll have to punch down the wall jacks at both ends, etc. For three offices, if you get LUCKY you're looking at ~3-4 hours.
2: Setup the T1 and it's router: Figure about 3 hours, could be up to 8 if you run into problems. You might have to configure this router from scratch, or you might have to just plug it in. Depends on how good your ISP is.
3: Setup your gateway router and switch - 2 hours
4: Install the NIC's on the computers and get them sharing files - 2 hours
5: Install the shared printer and get it installed everywhere - 1 hour
6: Get all the security setup and all the account shares, etc. 1 hour
7: Train the users on how to access everything: 2 hours
If I was at your level of networking, I'd bid the job at approximately fifteen hours, but make them pay actual work with a cap of 20 hours. A lot of the time variability in the hours deend on the building and how easy it is to put in cable and the ISP, and how well they are or organized with the T1 router setup, etc, things generally beyond your control.
- G
- Oct 28, 1999
- 62,484
- 8,344
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You're sure it's a T1 right? T1 sounds like major overkill for 3 desktops. Is DSL/Cable acceptable? They could reduce their bill by about 75% if they went with a DSL cable solution. Just a suggestion.
If it is a T1, you're going to need a router with a CSU/DSU card. New, you are looking at about $1200-$1700 for the router, and $500-$700 for the card if you go with Cisco, then another $500-$2000 for a stand alone firewall. You can pick up the router & csu/dsu off of ebay for under $1000 for the two of them.
Once again, this sounds like major overkill for 3 offices. A lot of upfront investment(not including your time), and pretty heafty monthly recurring cost.
As for the PC's, I recommend Dell Optiplexes. Cheap, well speced out, 3 year onsite warranty, and very reliable. Check out the refurb outlet to save some $$. I've bought over $30,000 worth of equipment from the refurb outlet without a problem. Very nice machines, for a reasonable price.
You may have bit more than you bargained for. It's going to be a pretty heafty project. If you can pull it off successfully though, you'll come away with a lot of very helpful experience.
If it is a T1, you're going to need a router with a CSU/DSU card. New, you are looking at about $1200-$1700 for the router, and $500-$700 for the card if you go with Cisco, then another $500-$2000 for a stand alone firewall. You can pick up the router & csu/dsu off of ebay for under $1000 for the two of them.
Once again, this sounds like major overkill for 3 offices. A lot of upfront investment(not including your time), and pretty heafty monthly recurring cost.
As for the PC's, I recommend Dell Optiplexes. Cheap, well speced out, 3 year onsite warranty, and very reliable. Check out the refurb outlet to save some $$. I've bought over $30,000 worth of equipment from the refurb outlet without a problem. Very nice machines, for a reasonable price.
You may have bit more than you bargained for. It's going to be a pretty heafty project. If you can pull it off successfully though, you'll come away with a lot of very helpful experience.
woo wooo .. let's stop rite here...
isn't T1 line same as DSL or something like that..
T1 line already terminated in the office, i think they just have to come and re-activiet it...
My client rather use DSL but the office only permit them to get the T1 line. ($179 a month)
i know it is sort of overkill just for three little office.. I even think 56k would be enough for them .. but then
again it is not up to me to decide..
According to vi_edit, i need a router with a CSU/DSU card.. that would cost way too much ..
Can't I accomplish this using a normal router ? Like SMC router or Linksys router, those consumer kind like wat Garion said..
In my mind, I thought T1 would be something that i Plug into Nic and I will be readY to use, which
then i can just use a router and spread around connection...
"Setup your gateway router and switch - 2 hours" <-- why would i need a gatway router and switch anymore , if i just use
one of those broaband DSL/Cable router, it come with switch
As far as setting up T1, I didn't know i have to config it .... In wat way i have to config it, like DNS or gatway or IP add ?
i don't think there will be a logon ...or will there.. if i contact the ISP wat should i asking about..
Damn.. now this job looks crazy hard . In my mind, this is wat i THOUGHT i will be doing ..
T1 -> Linksys router -> 3 computer, then setting up the router, enable printer sharing, setting up accounts ... then boom thats it ..
why it seem so hard now ... ...
and about wireless.. is it that easy to break into each computer, I thought as long as my client main computer not on share, then we will not face the explosure of our information... if i do go on wireless.. i don't think i will face that much hacker or etc etc.. because
all the ppl that im dealing with are novice on computer.. so I dont think anybody inside will try to hack the information or something ..
and also i don't think any hacker would want to come in to the office and try to break in, since there is a bank down there.. tight security...
isn't T1 line same as DSL or something like that..
T1 line already terminated in the office, i think they just have to come and re-activiet it...
My client rather use DSL but the office only permit them to get the T1 line. ($179 a month)
i know it is sort of overkill just for three little office.. I even think 56k would be enough for them .. but then
again it is not up to me to decide..
According to vi_edit, i need a router with a CSU/DSU card.. that would cost way too much ..
Can't I accomplish this using a normal router ? Like SMC router or Linksys router, those consumer kind like wat Garion said..
In my mind, I thought T1 would be something that i Plug into Nic and I will be readY to use, which
then i can just use a router and spread around connection...
"Setup your gateway router and switch - 2 hours" <-- why would i need a gatway router and switch anymore , if i just use
one of those broaband DSL/Cable router, it come with switch
As far as setting up T1, I didn't know i have to config it .... In wat way i have to config it, like DNS or gatway or IP add ?
i don't think there will be a logon ...or will there.. if i contact the ISP wat should i asking about..
Damn.. now this job looks crazy hard . In my mind, this is wat i THOUGHT i will be doing ..
T1 -> Linksys router -> 3 computer, then setting up the router, enable printer sharing, setting up accounts ... then boom thats it ..
why it seem so hard now ... ...
and about wireless.. is it that easy to break into each computer, I thought as long as my client main computer not on share, then we will not face the explosure of our information... if i do go on wireless.. i don't think i will face that much hacker or etc etc.. because
all the ppl that im dealing with are novice on computer.. so I dont think anybody inside will try to hack the information or something ..
and also i don't think any hacker would want to come in to the office and try to break in, since there is a bank down there.. tight security...
- Oct 28, 1999
- 62,484
- 8,344
- 126
A T1 is QUITE different from DSL.
At $179 a month, it's tough to make a call. It could be a very high bandwith DSL line, or it could be a very throttled down Fractional T1. You NEED to figure out which one it is.
It litterally means the difference between $100 and $1000 +
At $179 a month, it's tough to make a call. It could be a very high bandwith DSL line, or it could be a very throttled down Fractional T1. You NEED to figure out which one it is.
It litterally means the difference between $100 and $1000 +
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