I'm going to give it a shot. I'm going to try to start my own onsite computer repair business.
I'd love some advice from those already doing it.
How did you decide on your pricing?
Starting my own onsite computer repair business
- Thread starter Thetech
- Start date
I'm going to give it a shot. I'm going to try to start my own onsite computer repair business.
I'd love some advice from those already doing it.
How did you decide on your pricing?
The easiest way to determine pricing for anything is to start with the intrinsic costs (there aren't any for your labor) and then check your competition.
MikeyIs4Dcats
Lifer
- Nov 5, 2001
- 18,366
- 3
- 0
Make sure you blog the entire process from the onset, so we can sit back and watch it bomb miserably. Or do incredibly well and be a great success story on Dateline!!
But probably go down in fiery wreckage with casualties.
But probably go down in fiery wreckage with casualties.
I've noticed young computer enthusiasts often times let the constant praise that they receive from ignorant old people about their computer genius get to their heads. Trust me man, this highly unoriginal idea you have will work no better than all the attempts by people to start a business building custom PC's. There is no market for it, because there are already enough tech savvy sons and grandsons out there to handle these things, and if that doesnt work they'll just call those losers in the VW beatles $50/hr to do it.
rudeguy
Lifer
- Dec 27, 2001
- 47,351
- 14
- 61
But the majority of the population wants to hold on to their computers. They don't realize or want to deal with moving their files from one PC to another.
I used to make damn good money doing this stuff on the side. I still have plenty of people that would like work done, I just don't have the patience anymore.
spacejamz
Lifer
- Mar 31, 2003
- 10,971
- 1,679
- 126
What kind of warranty are you going to offer? when they screw up their pc in 5 days because of spyware/malware/adware, are you going to fix it for free?
I would say that 95% of the problems I fix for coworker's PC's are because of crap that the kids do on the PC....
what happens if the motherboard or power supply goes bad while you are fixing it? It powered up when they dropped it off and now it doesn't? are you going to pay for a new motherboard or p/s??? have fun trying to explain how something went bad after you started trying to fix it...
I would say that 95% of the problems I fix for coworker's PC's are because of crap that the kids do on the PC....
what happens if the motherboard or power supply goes bad while you are fixing it? It powered up when they dropped it off and now it doesn't? are you going to pay for a new motherboard or p/s??? have fun trying to explain how something went bad after you started trying to fix it...
RadiclDreamer
Diamond Member
- Aug 8, 2004
- 8,622
- 40
- 91
As someone who does this, on an on-site basis. just a few pointers:
#1 DO NOT think this will be full-time....it will not...consider it a hobby to earn some extra cash.
#2 Earn a clients trust....DO NOT screw anyone over....always be honest...if you can't fix it you can't fix it, and advise them how they can do routine maintenance themselves. (defrag, routing cleaning, etc.) people do all kinds of things on their computers and having someone they trust work on it is often more important than price....who cares if the 16 yr old kid down the block can fix your comp for $50 when he is snooping through shit looking for pictures or CC #'s?
#3 Price your competition and choose your rates accordingly....I myself charge 25-30/hr +$10 trip fee, people get scared and think that is a lot, but if you know anything about computers you know that most jobs can be done in 2hrs or less, and in reality when you show up and are there for 4 hours, and it's only $100 they are so ecstatic they have no problem forking over the cash, likewise if they have a set figure in mind and you finish early they may keep you there to ask questions....who would not want to make $25/hr to answer some routine questions?
#4 Keep a thumb drive with all the tools you need such as up dated virus scanners, crap cleaners, fire walls...etc...etc.
#5 be prepared to physically clean the system 1st and find some nasty crap inside....especially if they have pets. I find that to be 50-60% of the problems....overheating and crashes. The rest is a combination of malware/adware, too many start-up programs, too many garbage files scattered throughout the system and kids using p2p who have no idea what they are doing.
#6 This is not glamorous and it will be routine...there are not many challenges here, but again..this is only a part time gig...how hard do you want a part time gig to be?
#7 No matter how frustrated you get be patient and courteous, you never know who a customer will refer you to and people take personality into account when considering you. Be an ass and you will only get one shot to make money off this person or their friends.
#8 try to get as much information over the phone as you can about their specific system make, model, age....etc. etc. and go find the drivers just in case.
#9 have some basic hardware with you...a meter, PSU tester, screw drivers, pliers....etc.
#10 if a part needs replaced I give the customer the option to purchase it themselves and offer advice where to go...I charge for installation time only, if I order the part(s) I only charge the cost of the part and installation.
off the top of my head that is all I can think of for right now, hope this helps, also check out Technibble.com....I stumbled across this some time ago and find it to be very informative.
#1 DO NOT think this will be full-time....it will not...consider it a hobby to earn some extra cash.
#2 Earn a clients trust....DO NOT screw anyone over....always be honest...if you can't fix it you can't fix it, and advise them how they can do routine maintenance themselves. (defrag, routing cleaning, etc.) people do all kinds of things on their computers and having someone they trust work on it is often more important than price....who cares if the 16 yr old kid down the block can fix your comp for $50 when he is snooping through shit looking for pictures or CC #'s?
#3 Price your competition and choose your rates accordingly....I myself charge 25-30/hr +$10 trip fee, people get scared and think that is a lot, but if you know anything about computers you know that most jobs can be done in 2hrs or less, and in reality when you show up and are there for 4 hours, and it's only $100 they are so ecstatic they have no problem forking over the cash, likewise if they have a set figure in mind and you finish early they may keep you there to ask questions....who would not want to make $25/hr to answer some routine questions?
#4 Keep a thumb drive with all the tools you need such as up dated virus scanners, crap cleaners, fire walls...etc...etc.
#5 be prepared to physically clean the system 1st and find some nasty crap inside....especially if they have pets. I find that to be 50-60% of the problems....overheating and crashes. The rest is a combination of malware/adware, too many start-up programs, too many garbage files scattered throughout the system and kids using p2p who have no idea what they are doing.
#6 This is not glamorous and it will be routine...there are not many challenges here, but again..this is only a part time gig...how hard do you want a part time gig to be?
#7 No matter how frustrated you get be patient and courteous, you never know who a customer will refer you to and people take personality into account when considering you. Be an ass and you will only get one shot to make money off this person or their friends.
#8 try to get as much information over the phone as you can about their specific system make, model, age....etc. etc. and go find the drivers just in case.
#9 have some basic hardware with you...a meter, PSU tester, screw drivers, pliers....etc.
#10 if a part needs replaced I give the customer the option to purchase it themselves and offer advice where to go...I charge for installation time only, if I order the part(s) I only charge the cost of the part and installation.
off the top of my head that is all I can think of for right now, hope this helps, also check out Technibble.com....I stumbled across this some time ago and find it to be very informative.
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