Do you guys think it's viable for me to start something like this in college? I do so many free repairs that I think if I start charging them (yeah cheapens the knowledge I know), I can afford to quit schooling. I've been thinking about this for a long time but I have no idea where to start.
Nocturnal
Lifer
- Jan 8, 2002
- 18,927
- 0
- 76
Often times when someone starts a post like this they're usually told not to do it. But lately I've been seeing a lot of encouraging posts. I'm wondering if I should venture into doing this as well. I already do it for most of my family members as well as my mom's friends as well.
Ok, since no one else pointed it out, I will.
This is like me saying "I'm going to start a car repair shop. I don't know that much but I'll figure it out along the way."
Why would you start a PC repair business if you were anything less than an expert in the field? Even most "experts" are inept, so I can't imagine how this will go...
What are you going to do when you break the motherboard on someone's $2000 I-got-it-at-compusa-and-everything-is-proprietary machine?
What are you going to do when you accidentally reformat their hard drive with the only picutres of their dead grandmother? Or their tax records?
Doesn't sound like a good plan to me. Even if you know your stuff forward and backward you are going to have seriously irate customers to deal with all the time....
This is like me saying "I'm going to start a car repair shop. I don't know that much but I'll figure it out along the way."
Why would you start a PC repair business if you were anything less than an expert in the field? Even most "experts" are inept, so I can't imagine how this will go...
What are you going to do when you break the motherboard on someone's $2000 I-got-it-at-compusa-and-everything-is-proprietary machine?
What are you going to do when you accidentally reformat their hard drive with the only picutres of their dead grandmother? Or their tax records?
Doesn't sound like a good plan to me. Even if you know your stuff forward and backward you are going to have seriously irate customers to deal with all the time....
We should start compiling a whole list of disclaimer clauses
I'll start:
Backup your friggin' data if you don't wanna lose it!!! It's not my fault if your HDD dies!!!
Because I'm willing to take chances, and you can't start out as an
expert. To be an expert you have to gain experience somewhere.
pillage2001
Lifer
- Sep 18, 2000
- 14,038
- 1
- 81
Originally posted by: screw3d
We should start compiling a whole list of disclaimer clauses
I'll start:
Backup your friggin' data if you don't wanna lose it!!! It's not my fault if your HDD dies!!!
I'm not responsible for your Dell/Sony/ Whatever brand there are warranty.
Another thing, most people that build their own pc usually won't require any external help while those that are not capable would have gotten a Dell.
valid. but there are risks in life, period. you can't live in a bubble..
I am sure these things (accidents) happen, so what kind of insurance do you guys that do this have? Do you have any?
i've done this for a while without any trouble. for parts, i charge whatever it costs me to get them, including shipping, but with no markup. i provide copies of the receipts to prove it. i give the person the option of either ordering it online for less money or getting it RIGHT NOW for more money. some people want it right away, others don't mind waiting.
i charge $50/hour for everything, with a 1 hour minimum. i offer no additional warrenties beyond that of the parts and negligence on my part. so if they screw it up, it's not my problem, and they have to pay to have me back. i do not troubleshoot over the phone beyond giving estimates. so i'll tell them what the problem is likely to be (and what it is likely to cost) but not how to fix it. for that, they have to employ my services. i'm also very specific about what services i have performed on a given computer so that there's no bull when they call me to say that when i installed their kid's game it made their router break.
i charge $50/hour for everything, with a 1 hour minimum. i offer no additional warrenties beyond that of the parts and negligence on my part. so if they screw it up, it's not my problem, and they have to pay to have me back. i do not troubleshoot over the phone beyond giving estimates. so i'll tell them what the problem is likely to be (and what it is likely to cost) but not how to fix it. for that, they have to employ my services. i'm also very specific about what services i have performed on a given computer so that there's no bull when they call me to say that when i installed their kid's game it made their router break.
I'm starting to see that just charging a flat hourly rate may be easier than having a whole laundry list of prices for different things.
pillage2001
Lifer
- Sep 18, 2000
- 14,038
- 1
- 81
Bump. I started thinking today and wonder if this is a good idea? I live in a college town so I would like to do this on a part time basis. Also, do I need any license or anything if I don't have a shop?
im also in the process of starting the same type of business. i want to start doing in-home repairs and upgrades and move into small business consuting / support. im working on my website now ill post it for opinions when i get a lil more done. iv already got a my business license & tax id number. a business bank account is next.
JBlaze
JBlaze
I fix computers from time to time when friends/family refer me to whoever they know.
The question I have the hardest time answering is "How much is it going to cost to reinstall Windows?" It's not as easy as delete, install windows, done type of thing. No one has their driver disk so usually I ended up taking each piece of hardware out and looking for the driver manually. Such a PITA and a waste of time.
Normally I charge about $30/hour with reformatting being $90-$100...depending on if i know the person or not.
The question I have the hardest time answering is "How much is it going to cost to reinstall Windows?" It's not as easy as delete, install windows, done type of thing. No one has their driver disk so usually I ended up taking each piece of hardware out and looking for the driver manually. Such a PITA and a waste of time.
Normally I charge about $30/hour with reformatting being $90-$100...depending on if i know the person or not.
I have been doing repairs for about two years now and sure it has brought in a little extra cash but man there can be some major headaches. Old outdated machines can make your life miserable and just downloading all of the updates after a format can take hours so make sure you have a fast connection. All in all though, with a little preparation it can be rewarding so good luck with your new venture.
Don't go all out just yet. Just start by fixing friends' computers, and then thier friends' and so on. Network first and then start a formal business.
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