The Process of Getting a Small Scale Computer Repair Business Started

[goobernoodles]

I'm sure many of you guys fix people's computers whether it be your friends'/family or for money. I'm 19, starting college in Philly (Drexel) in the fall, and am sick of the brain numbing work I've been doing at a local pizza shop. I'm in the city of Pittsburgh, and so there is the Pitt, CMU, Duquense and even CCAC campuses close by. I figure I'll design some flyer with my # on it, put it up near bus stops, etc, and work on people's computers problems.

Since many of you I'm sure have done something similar, any ideas or suggestions would be helpful. What kind of policies should I take? Something I just read in another thread is, making people back up their own files, saying I'm not liable for lost files. Also, should I put policies like this on the flyer, or... wait until people call then let em know these things.

Placement of flyers... How much I should charge is a biggie.

Also - Everything I know is pretty much self taught over the years, I've built many systems, and fixed many problems with computers of my friends and family. Learned many things from trial and error. However there are still many things I've never come across, obviously. But I'm thinking I can always come here for help, and I'm pretty confident in my abilities, so I'm up for it.

Any thoughts would be helpful.

Thanks.

-Phil

 

[mechBgon]

I would be very up-front about needing to have their legit Windows CD-ROM and license/COA sticker on hand, in the event you need to do a reinstallation of Windows. If the system went through an upgrade (like, from Win98 to WinXP Home, via a WinXP Upgrade disc) then you want to get both Windows CDs and licenses/COA stickers. That way, your policy will keep you out of hot water with certain of The Powers That Be (although there's still the IRS to explain your income to ). And I'd put that on the flyer to scare away the warez users, you don't need the headache of "OMG you must save my Windows installation, I ...uh ...lost my 3D Studio Max installation CD... yeah... "

Also, make sure they understand that Microsoft Works, Nero Buring ROM, Create-A-Card, and etc etc are NOT part of Windows, and they're going to need those software discs too, if they want those programs back. You know what they say about the word assume... yeah.

 

[goobernoodles]

Cool, thanks. I'll definately jot that one down.

 

[RedCOMET]

I've already seen flyers on the streets of Oakland ( currently a U PITT student) about somebody offering similiar services.
I know the university offices some basica repair services and the Engineering School also offers some basic repair services.

I guess i would suggest is you put on the flyer your phone number that people can tear off from the flyer and also list an email on there.

The one flyer that i've seen around campus basically listed what the guy could fix( like spyware removal, etc) along with some jazz about he's more than an enthusiast with so many years of experience, blah blah. I'm not sure if the flyer said he had an A+ cert on it.

As for keeping his flyers up, the guy used clear packing tape, and usually went the whole way around the light poles. The best thing for you, is put them on poles with other flyers or bulliten boards on PITT campus. If you put them on PITT buildings, they may be taking down by Facilities management, and with students groups here as they are, they are quite good at it.

 

[pkrush]

Make sure that if you remove spyware from someone's machine, you tell them that if they get re-infected within a few weeks, it's not your fault because you "didn't fix it properly", it's their fault for visiting dodgy sites and not using the copy of Firefox that you installed on their computer.

 

[goobernoodles]

Good stuff. Yeah, although putting flyers up on pitt bulliten boards would be nice, I know they have a policy against non-university stuff being up on there. Its not worth the paper, or trouble of getting in. I should just sneak em with pizzas. Haha

 

[Fullmetal Chocobo]

I would suggest getting together a CD of goodies, such as spyware & Adware progs, benchmarks, utilities, and other free stuff. Have this available, so that you can include it on the machines that you work on. It's also useful to have all of the stuff in one location for you. Also, universal drivers can be kept on there as well, which makes reformats easier too.

And don't forget to hook them up with some DC progs too!!! :evil:

 

[goobernoodles]

I'm trying to think of what I should list as what I can do... My main question for myself is what I CAN'T do I guess.

I have a partial list right now of what people may be interested in: spyware & virus removal / windows reinstalls and reformats / upgrade advice and installs / hardware testing / complete system builds / something like a 'tune up and clean up'

What else would people be looking for?

 

[Fullmetal Chocobo]

Originally posted by: goobernoodles
I'm trying to think of what I should list as what I can do... My main question for myself is what I CAN'T do I guess.

I have a partial list right now of what people may be interested in: spyware & virus removal / windows reinstalls and reformats / upgrade advice and installs / hardware testing / complete system builds / something like a 'tune up and clean up'

What else would people be looking for?

80% of the stuff I do is reformats. A few system builds, and a few upgrades. But mostly reformats. I don't do it for money though. Just to help out my fellow shipmates. So I usually work on donation.

 

[goobernoodles]

Also.... How should I determine a rate?

 

[Fullmetal Chocobo]

Originally posted by: goobernoodles
Also.... How should I determine a rate?

What do the places in the area providing the same services charge? And are you doing this to make money, or to help people out?

 

[goobernoodles]

Well, to make money, but I'm not going to be an asshole in the process. I don't want to rip people off.

 

[goobernoodles]

Good GOD! I just went to geeksquad's website, they charge $160 bucks to put in a friggin hard drive! $130 for antispyware! Thats absolutely ridiculous.

 

[mechBgon]

What else would people be looking for?

Pizza

Ok that does it, /me must make a run to the grocery store, I've had pizza on the brain all day

But seriously, how about being sort of a technology advisor guy. If you have some knowlege about what hardware is needed to convert VHS and other analog video into DVDs, for example, I bet a lot of parents and grandparents would be interested in that type of thing. Or you could take on some conversion work yourself if your system's set up with, say, a Hauppage PVR-150 and a DVD burner. I see advertisements in the Classifieds for that type of thing sometimes.

 

[goobernoodles]

Oooo... definately a great idea.

 

[goobernoodles]

Yeah, thanks a lot. I think I'll order that card now - looks like a good deal for ~$65. I've done a lot of photo/video editing, so I could definately encorporate that into the list of options.

Thats almost a business in itself... capturing, converting, editing... hell.. if I got a lightscribe dvd burner, I could even make pretty labels for the people - haha. That would probably pay for itself...

 

[kenrippy]

$65/hr for housecalls (minimum 1hr) i had to charge someone $65 just to install a new printer one time.

i like to make at least $100 profit on a major upgrade. something that would require me to order some new parts (mobo/cpu/ram etc.) install OS and some apps. this all would usually take a couple hours of my physical time.

$300-350 profit on a complete high end system build. this would require me to order all parts from keyboard/mouse, spkrs, to the monitor. i'm talking about a $1500-2k price tag, not just a sempron system.

maybe those are some ideas you can use.... good luck man!

 

[goobernoodles]

Cool, thanks for providing some numbers. If any of you guys do the same thing, post your rates.

 

[furballi]

Min $40/hour. Average $70/hour. Start out with special 1/2 off labor discount to build up your customer base. Personal recommendation is the best source of advertisement. Be fair but firm with the customer.

 

[pkme2]

Trying to figure a rate is always the toughest part of doing business. Whatever the ongoing rate is, it will depend how competent one happens to be.

Next, it depends on what the market will bear.

The local computer repair outfits charge for computer diagnostics starting at $65 to $85 and roll them over into the actual repair bill.
If you want the business, you may have to forego those charges to get the job. Whatever you do from now on is your own affair.

I'll call the client and give them the bad news and usually its a case of heavy trojan virus and spyware infestation. This will take about 8hrs of work. You can charge accordingly.

If its hardware, then you need to setup what you think your time is worth for each incident. Remember, you're cultivating a clientiele and if its a one shot deal, charge the most your client will bear. Remember, at some point the client may opt to buy a new computer. The "Dells" are pretty cheap this season.

Running a business is usually word of mouth deal. You need referrals if you advertise little or not. Your local mall bullentin boards are a great help. These are usually free.

I build computers, but its for me alone. I usually order a Dell or Sony for my clients as a freebie and just charge them a fee for setup.

What I do is setup a servicing agreement to service their computers on their anniversary and charge them for any software renewal installs. This way you have another avenue of constant business.

Advertise the fact that your business can help clients order their computers. Remember to use the Dell Discount Coupons. Google it.

Since I'm a computer geek, I designed my own logo with Illustrator and my own invoices with Excel and so on. I got the local magnetic sign store to makeup my vehicle and home signs. You may or not need this.

You need to establish some forms of professionalism. Certification will help immensely, but its the way you do business, that will quarantee repeats.

All the advice in the world don't mean anything. Remember your word is your bond and always be fair in your dealings. The rest is up to you. Good luck!

 

[goobernoodles]

Very, very helpful post. Thanks a lot.

 

[Stas]

Threads like this create too much competition LOL

 

[goobernoodles]

You guys are definately fueling a lot of ideas in my head. I'm trying to figure out ways to keep these things relatively water-resistant. I have seen flyers taped to telophone poles, but they turn brown when water gets to em, so thats a no no. I'm looking around for water resistant/proof paper online, and there seems to be a HUGE selection, any ideas on what to go with?

Also, I'm thinking I'll give customers a contract to sign, but what should I include on that? Is this overkill?

 

[pkme2]

You have better things to concentrate on. You need to develop good will. Forget about the technical contracts and work on a "Doctor's bedside manner". This usually gives the impression that you are sympathetic to your client's problems, and if its sincere, that's all you'll will ever need.
Some people need contracts, but if you're good, you won't. Contracts are for those who want to sue, in case something goes wrong. Be nice and you're attract more with honey than vinegar.

 

[bob4432]

be aware that occassionally you are going to get the machine that hasn't ever had any av, nor malware,ad-aware software on it and it is running win98. sometimes it may cost more for the people to fix their old stuff than to just buy new, even at $50/hour.

i use to do what you are doing for some people at work for free, just because i like to learn and let me tell you, some of the sh!t on these machines is ridiculous. then you always have the spyware that when you delete it, f*cks up the machine or you have to go into it via safe mode to repair some drivers that the spyware f*cked up.

just be ready for this type of stuff.

also remember, nobody backs up their stuff and they don't know hdds fail. when it comes to computers most people are clueless. just a word of warning to you but good luck all the sam