Pricing for a Complete Office Setup

[JRock]

A coworker and I are looking to do some small-medium size jobs on the side (really just weekend work) to make some extra cash. I am trying to get a hold of some rates. (This is in NY so I will jack the prices up the usual 110% 😉 j/k

I need quotes for the following:

Hourly Labor
Cost per data/voice run/drop
Markup on Hardware (%)
Yearly charges (contracts) for onsite support (next day).

Office will be anywhere from 10 - 20 users. So each will have a workstation and depending on estimated print volume 1 printer for every 3-6 people. Depending on location it will prob. be business class cable or DSL connection.

Basically I haven't been out on my own before and know that when people outsource to us I (personally) would never pay that much. But hey that's just me.

Thanks.

 

[DarkJuJu]

I would estimate $75-$125 per drop

 

[JRock]

Originally posted by: DarkJuJu
I would estimate $75-$125 per drop

Yea I was going to do like $100 a drop and perhaps bing it down to $90 or $80 if he needed more then 20.

 

[spidey07]

Here's what I generally see...

Hourly Labor
Depends - for SOHO setup probably 40 (doesn't include cabling)

Cost per data/voice run/drop
125-150 end to end with patch panels and jacks.

Markup on Hardware (%)
3-5% (no money here)

Yearly charges (contracts) for onsite support (next day).
15% of hardware costs or total installation price.

 

[Garion]

OK, my turn..

I'd charge $75/hr for the work, but I'd also cost out the job and give them a not-to-exceed figure, too. If you think it's going to take 10 hours, give them a NTE of $1000. That way, if something goes wrong you've got a buffer but they aren't going to get the shaft if you screw up.

Cabling: If you don't know how to price it, you probably shouldn't be doing it. No offense, but cabling is just one of those things that amateurs (or even semi-pros) shouldn't mess with. A cable plant that's not done right will cause all kinds of odd errors that are very, very hard to troubleshoot, especially if you don't shell out the cash for an expensive managed switch that can give you good port statistics. If you're going to do it, make SURE you rent a cable certifier. Not just continuity tester, but one that can certify each connection as Cat5.

I've always preferred NOT to resell hardware. That's more complex, business-wise. Sell them some hours as "consulting" to do the design and plan all the hardware then let them buy it. That takes a lot of pressure off of you and you look like a good guy since you're helping them buy it from a solid, reputable source. That, plus two hours of design work will make you more profit than a 10% markup on the gear itself.

Be very, very careful charging yearly support charges. If you do it, make sure that you're going to be able to do it and that you're talking about the same thing. If you charge someone $100/month does that INCLUDE your time to go there and fix stuff or is that just the retainer to make sure you'll show up when they need you and your time is extra? What happens when you take a vacation?

Personally, I'd just let them call me when necessary and make sure they understand your rates - A $50 trip fee for showing up and a $50 expedite fee if they need you in less than 24 hours.

- G

 

[skyking]

As Garion stated above, I try and let the end customer purchase any hardware, with the exception of jacks, faceplates, and wire. Help them make purchases of quality equipment.
I stock a fair amount of those items, for this reason: If the customer buys crapwire that A$$holes out of the box, or some off-brand junk keystone jack, then you are in the unenviable position of either NOT doing the job at the time planned, or working with junk. Niether one is a good scenario. You can try and direct them to the right products, but even wire from a reputable seller gets changed from time to time. I get my wire locally, and won't buy it unless it is good stuff, a reel-in-a-box. I'll never order it by mail, I've been burned before.

 

[JRock]

Thank you spidey Garion and skyking,

As far as the cabling goes the reason I asked is because when we do it for other companies its about $110 a drop but that?s for like 50+ runs and since that type of work exceeds what I am looking to do I was just getting opinions.

I do like the idea of the billable "hardware consulting" hours if you will. I see that it is probably the better way to go and would also make them feel a bit better knowing that their not getting raped by inflating hardware costs.

Yearly support is defiantly a touchy issue. Being that I already work fulltime as does my co-worker we were thinking about contacting our local hardware reseller who also services all our equipment in house as well as all of our remote sites. I would feel better knowing that they can be onsite that day or early morning next day for any hardware issues.

This is certainly beyond those days of "Hey fix my computer and I'll give you $50."

Thank you for your time and consideration.