The Process of Getting a Small Scale Computer Repair Business Started

[letsgetsilly]

I think what you are doing is a great idea, and I plan on doing something similar in my area soon. Keep your pizza job and continue towards building up a customer base until it can support you.

If the whole thing fails, you will have a first entrepreneurial experience and learn something in the process. Its also something that you can put on your resume to show initiative and drive.

I would look into setting up a limited liability corporation, or something along those lines, although I'm not sure which type. If you go into a user's home and they claim that no only did you lose their "priceless" data, but you broke their monitor and exploded their furniture, you will only be liable (assuming you were working on what you were supposed to) for what your company is worth. If you are just starting out, that means your company will go down in a blaze of $40 instead of having your own personal fortune/family liable.

If you keep it as a sole proprietor, everything you own is liable in order to cover the damages.

 

[goobernoodles]

How would I set up this 'limited liability' thing.

Also, I'm still working at the pizza shop, and don't plan on quitting until I start making more from this, which may not happen. However, another reason I wanted to start this is because I've only been getting 3 days a week at work, usually about $100. And honestly, that wouldn't be too hard to beat with this, I think.

 

[bob4432]

Originally posted by: letsgetsilly
I think what you are doing is a great idea, and I plan on doing something similar in my area soon. Keep your pizza job and continue towards building up a customer base until it can support you.

If the whole thing fails, you will have a first entrepreneurial experience and learn something in the process. Its also something that you can put on your resume to show initiative and drive.

I would look into setting up a limited liability corporation, or something along those lines, although I'm not sure which type. If you go into a user's home and they claim that no only did you lose their "priceless" data, but you broke their monitor and exploded their furniture, you will only be liable (assuming you were working on what you were supposed to) for what your company is worth. If you are just starting out, that means your company will go down in a blaze of $40 instead of having your own personal fortune/family liable.

If you keep it as a sole proprietor, everything you own is liable in order to cover the damages.

why would you set up a llc for a 6mos "biz"? again, not trying to sound like a d!ck, but why even do it if on for 6mos? it is totally different if you started this up not knowing in 6mos you will be gone, but you do know.

 

[pontifex]

don't forget that if you build systems for people you have to support them too, unless you specifically say you won't support them (but then thats bad business if you ask me).

 

[rstarin]

Well for starters, i've never made a business out of computer repair. Like most of the people here on the thread, i've pretty much just whored out my repair services at no charge to friends and family. However, I do have experience running a similar small tutoring business.

And because of that, there's one invaluable piece of advice that i'm going to give you. I read earlier in this forum that you saw a local shop that charged 130 for a system cleaning. Now of course $130 is a pretty large-ish number. And so you're thinking... well i'd be happy earning $40, and i'd be saving people a lot of money also. So you're thinking this is a win-win for everyone.

Now what i'm about to say will sound a little far fetched, but it is the way things work. You want to charge a similar amount to what the computer shops are charging. Since you have no overhead, you'll of course be able to charge less, but keep it to within 20% of the market price. Now you are probably thinking.. wow... this guy is nuts... But this isnt about the money, and its not about giving a valuable price. People have a terrible misconception that value correlates to cost. Of course this isnt true, but its what people are going to think. At $25 a house call, you are a college student, and not a true expert. At a real price, when you go into their house, you are a real professional, and you will be treated as such.

This has been my experience with tutoring. Higher prices create what is percieved as a more valuable service, and actually gave me a huge increase in clients. What I do is charge a bit less than the commercial places. (70 compared to their 85) I also offer two hours for 100, in order to get more business, at what seems like a valuable price.

The reason why i feel comfortable charging so much, is because I am good at what I do. I'll match my service against the commercial one any day of the week, and feel confident i am giving a better one.

I think if you look at your skills, you'll find that you are offering the same degree of quality. Hell, you could probably get a job at a repair shop, and they'd send you to the same clients house at 15 an hour, only they'd be pocketing the rest of the 130. Feel confident in your service and charge accordingly. If you undercut too much, your service just seems unprofessional, and it seems like you arent for real.

Hmm... what other things.... all my older clients that i've charged a smaller rate to, I continue to honor that rate, even though i charge way way way more to new ones.

If I were you, i'd also take some of the stuff off your flyer. Gotta love that font of course. But i'd make need computer help even bigger. I would also sacrifice some of your stuff on there, in exchange for making the other, more important stuff, bigger. But overall, its a real clean look, and i like it.

Dont haggle. Some people wont want to pay your rate. I believe that it is better you just let them stew on their decision than to try and give them a 'hook' offer. I feel that being able to charge the same price that is the one you first name, builds up credibility with the client.

And finally, people have harped on this over and over again on this thread. Be straight and upfront with your customers, and be confident in the work that you do. Chances are they wont know a thing about the work you are doing, and you'll really have to hold their hand through it. They will really respect it if you are an honest businessman. This will translate directly into cash, when they tell their family and friends with computer problems about you.

Hope any of this was a help,
and good luck to you!

PS! If anyone needs a math tutor, I am in the Washington DC area, and I tutor any level math. Dont hesitate to pm me!

 

[goobernoodles]

Definately a great help. I actually have added some color to the flyer... Just the title, and added a bit of background color behind the title, just to bring that out more. I'll take a few pics later.

And to get things straight, and on the record - I consider myself a very honest guy. I like helping people... I've volunteered at a local cerebral palsy center helping out the staff with computer issues. etc. I'm not going into this to try and rip people off, and then not have any contact afterwards.

 

[bob4432]

Originally posted by: goobernoodles
Definately a great help. I actually have added some color to the flyer... Just the title, and added a bit of background color behind the title, just to bring that out more. I'll take a few pics later.

And to get things straight, and on the record - I consider myself a very honest guy. I like helping people... I've volunteered at a local cerebral palsy center helping out the staff with computer issues. etc. I'm not going into this to try and rip people off, and then not have any contact afterwards.

i am not saying you are not an honest guy or going in with the intent to rip people off, i just think you are going to put in a lot of work to get it started only to leave in 6mos

how far is the school you are going to compared to your area you are at now?

 

[goobernoodles]

I'm in Pittsburgh. Going to Drexel in Philly.

 

[goobernoodles]

I don't really see the reasoning behind:

"i just think you are going to put in a lot of work to get it started only to leave in 6mos"

Why? I have tons of free time at the moment. Why sit back and let this pass by? I've designing a flyer, and am in the process of getting flyers out everywhere and ads in the local 'pennysaver'. I don't see any reason why I should hold back. If nothing comes of this, thats fine, it'll be a learning experience. I honestly don't see a downside to doing this.

 

[Zebo]

Originally posted by: goobernoodles
What, are you kidding me?? Let me get this straight: Because people can't keep their stuff from failing, which isn't my fault, I have to stay in town and not go to college so I can fix the stuff again? Or not help out at all, ever, and work at a pizza shop for 6 months?

I don't think so.

I'm assuming a lot of this is going to be reformatting. I'll let them know what they could have done to have prevented the problem, and make sure they are set up correctly to avoid future problems. You sound like I'm going into this with the intent of making people's computers screw up a month after I fix em.

Now you know why GeekSquad *can* charge $160 for putting in a hard drive. Name, rep, size and longevity mean something.

 

[Twsmit]

Originally posted by: DJJ

Originally posted by: goobernoodles
Any thoughts would be helpful.
Thanks.

Yeah don't do it!

UNLESS you are willing to make it fulltime. You will get constant hassle, phonecalls, emails etc from your loving clients, their family, friends etc...

You do not just roll up install a whatever, take your money & ride off into the sunset as you had hoped...It was working when you left..Well guess what its 3 months later & it is not anymore..& its YOUR fault lol.. Not worth it even at $70 an hour..

Trust me on this

Amen, its not worth doing it yourself. Big pain in @ss and your clients will stalk you and hound you 24/7 even once your off to college.

Most people think they are alone and isolated in the computer universe and as soon as they find a nice kid like yourself who is cheap 9compared to best buy) they will latch on and never let go.

Its perfect if this is your "lifes work" but if its a side job/hobby for money like i did, its a royal fvcking pain and bites you later when "stuff doesnt work!!! OMg its broken and you were just here!"

 

[bob4432]

Originally posted by: goobernoodles
I don't really see the reasoning behind:

"i just think you are going to put in a lot of work to get it started only to leave in 6mos"

Why? I have tons of free time at the moment. Why sit back and let this pass by? I've designing a flyer, and am in the process of getting flyers out everywhere and ads in the local 'pennysaver'. I don't see any reason why I should hold back. If nothing comes of this, thats fine, it'll be a learning experience. I honestly don't see a downside to doing this.

because it is only 6mos.

 

[Ichinisan]

I'll probably have to edit this post a few times to add some things.

If you do on-site service, you should keep an updated "tech CD" with the following tools:

Winsock XP Fix
-Repairs Winsock errors that frequently break Internet access after removing spyware, viruses (sometimes even legitimate advanced networking software can botch Winsock)
http://www.google.com/ (search for "Winsock Fix"

Magical Jellybean Keyfinder
-Recover or change the Windows product key to aid if reinstallation is necessary
-Always check key in case the customer has provided incorrect documentation
-The "Beta" that is available on the site will also display the product key for Microsoft Office
http://www.magicaljellybean.com/

Mozilla Firefox Web Browser
-Alternative to Internet Explorer
-Less likely to be targeted and hijacked by spyware, viruses, and even legitimate "bloatware"
-More features than Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox is "open-source" software that continues to evolve with contributions from users. New features are added and security flaws are quickly fixed when they are discovered. Open-source software is always free and does not contain spyware.
http://www.getfirefox.com/

Microsoft Windows Defender
-Spyware removal and prevention
-Only free tool with effective prevention (most charge for a version with active protection)
http://www.microsoft.com/defender/

Webroot Spy Sweeper
http://www.webroot.com/products/spysweeper/
http://www.download.com/ (search for "spy sweeper")

Lavasoft Ad-Aware
-One of the first spyware removal tools, Ad-Aware is still frequently updated and will recognize many objects that other legitimate removal tools may miss.
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/
http://www.download.com/ (search for "adaware")

Spybot - Search & Destroy
-Like Ad-Aware, Spybot is one of the first legitimate spyware removal tools and is frequently updated. It will also detect many items that may be missed by other legitimate removal tools.
http://www.download.com/ (search for "spybot")

Daemon-Tools
-Virtual DVD-ROM drive allows you to mount ISO files. You can have your software collection archived onto a file server so that you don't have to dig up discs or risk losing them.

WinRAR
-File compression and archive extraction tool that supports nearly all formats.

Nero Burning ROM
-Advanced CD/DVD recording that supports nearly all drives and file formats

Legitimate, free antivirus software:
-AVG AntiVirus - Free Edition
http://free.grisoft.com
http://www.download.com/ (search for "avg")
-Avast!
-AntiVir

Ghost/Imaging software...

 

[rstarin]

wow.....
what an incredible idea that last post catches on. You should get a usb enclosure, and put like a 200 gig in it. Whenever you make a house call, and inevitably have to format their computer and reinstall ******.... make an image. That way in two weeks, after they shoot the bug to get the free ipod, and need their stuff fixed again.. BAM.. you have the image on a usb drive and you are just plugging it in.

just an idea

-Bob

 

[goobernoodles]

Hi again,
Well, it's like this........seems Dell and Verizon have decided that my
internet connection is screwed up.
I've talked endlessly with their TECH people, and they have tried to reset
my password.( will explain this later because I don't understand what I
did). They think my modem is getting the wrong information and that I need
to get new disk for my drivers...HMMMMM? I can connect to the IE if I go
into my control panel and click on broadband, but sometimes it looses that
command. So I need EXPERT advise!! I am not working today or tomorrow, so
give me a call at ---------.
Thanks, Donna

^Well, I have my first client.

Sounds like its most likely a virus/spyware. But what do you guys suggest as to what I should go into this expecting?

 

[bob4432]

Originally posted by: goobernoodles

Hi again,
Well, it's like this........seems Dell and Verizon have decided that my
internet connection is screwed up.
I've talked endlessly with their TECH people, and they have tried to reset
my password.( will explain this later because I don't understand what I
did). They think my modem is getting the wrong information and that I need
to get new disk for my drivers...HMMMMM? I can connect to the IE if I go
into my control panel and click on broadband, but sometimes it looses that
command. So I need EXPERT advise!! I am not working today or tomorrow, so
give me a call at ---------.
Thanks, Donna

^Well, I have my first client.

Sounds like its most likely a virus/spyware. But what do you guys suggest as to what I should go into this expecting?

are you going to post in here for advice on every house call? this is going to be a lot of your problems, get use to it. good luck :beer:

 

[taranbigcity]

The most helpful thing I ever started doing when I would work on computers would be to Ghost them before I would even work on them. Before I began my work, I ghost every computer to a large storage array I have setup. Holds about 1 Terabyte. This prevents any mistakes later. In case I mess anything up I can start over. It also prevents loosing any data. Since later you can browse the image for files needed after you stick a fresh copy of windows on there. I even offered this as a customary service to my clients. If they were unsatisfied with my work afterward, They had the option of having their data recoverd to as if I never touched it. (granted this is a very small percentage)

I use a bootable disk (bart pe) to load up a version of windows in a ramdrive then run ghost. It support most known hardware so I am able to ghost most any computer with a nic right from boot. If the machine didnt I had a usb nic sitting close by.

 

[Luckyboy1]

This is an excellent thread as far as it goes, but it glosses over some very basic and ugly parts of human behavior. Ever hear the expression?...

No Good Deed Goes Unpunished!

If you have like morals, then you'll have a tough time competing against most in the PC repair business. If you leave a trail of slime wherever you go, then the PC repair business might be just right for you! Why?!



Well, for starters, just look at all the half baked steps suggested for fixing User induced problems. The ugly truth is that for most of the User types out there, having less than Norton Internet Security 2006 that is password protected even from the owner of the PC and a password protected version of Pest Patrol as well amounts to half baked measures. Short of these measures, the User in question all high on the illusion of the free internet will disable whatever steps you take and get what they want, when they want it and deny everything afterwards. They'll do so Firefox or not or any other step you take. Think not? there's several bugs out there that say to the user something like...

WARNING ROBINSON FAMILY, YOUR COMPUTER IS AT RISK! ENABLE INSTALL ON DEMAND TO FIX PROBLEM!

And then it goes on to a lead them by the nose way of getting infected again!

You can give them the option between just having you remove the bugs and let it go at that or selling them over $100.00 U.S. in programming they feel they can get for free elsewhere and a hardware firewall to boot!

Given these choices, they'll usually take neither. After all, why didn't anyone at Dell even mention these problems or solutions for them? Why didn't the other guy at the other computer repair shop tell me of this as well? How come my friends have no earthly idea what you are talking about?

See how the No Good Deeds thing comes in like a hammer here? You could write up a nausiatingly informative paper on steps they should take or reasons why you advise as you do and even if they read it, they won't pay attention to it, so don't waste your time. The information will require them to think and give up their preconceived ideas as to all things PC, so trying is a waste!

Be arrogant and charge alot; that's the only good advice I can give and never, and I mean never try to educate anyone!

 

[jdkick]

Hmm... I can't really offer much in terms of pricing as it can vary quite a lot. For general "tech" work, I charge $30/hour... when I actually do it that is. My day job keeps me busy enough lately.

Put some solid time/effort into your flyers, ad's and any other form of communication - presentation is key with any business and first impressions go a long way. I'd also suggest having some business cards printed - you never know when/where you'll come accross a potential client.

Make sure you have a decent setup to handle this type of work tho. You're going to need a bench that can support a few PC's at a time, some replacement components for dignosing failures (spare memory, spare hdd, spare cd/dvd, spare psu, etc) and a large capacity (external) drive for creating temporary backups can be a life saver. Maybe some disk imaging software (Symantec Ghost). Do you plan on offerring your services on-site? If so, you'll want to put together a standard "toolkit" that's always ready/waiting to go... you don't want to be hunting for screw drivers and utility discs on your way out the door.

Lastly, no funny business. Don't mess around with unlicensed software or install things for people without seeing proof of purchase, and don't poke around a clients system to see what they've saved or have been doing. You're there just to fix the problem.

 

[goobernoodles]

Hey guys... another update.

I've been working closely with a Pitt graduate that knows more about the basics of running a business than I do, who could possibly keep this business going when I go to school. Anyways. I've put up a site at http://www.dlifestyle.net

Keep in mind, I'm no webdesign expert. Check it out, and let me know what you guys think. I'm fairly good with photoshop, but I'm using Frontpage to design the page. I know very little HTML.

I've had to take all of the flyers down from telephone poles because apparently its illegal and I was threatened with a $300 fine PER flyer. Regardless, many tabs were taken and I now have 2 clients, just from about 48 hours worth of flyers in one neighborhood.

We're currently trying to figure out how to advertise on a very low budget. I am trying to get the word of mouth way going, however, we're looking into pricing of door hanger type flyers to put on people's doors, and also the local Pennysaver.

Any insight into any of these areas would be helpful.

 

[bob4432]

Originally posted by: goobernoodles
Hey guys... another update.

I've been working closely with a Pitt graduate that knows more about the basics of running a business than I do, who could possibly keep this business going when I go to school. Anyways. I've put up a site at http://www.dlifestyle.net

Keep in mind, I'm no webdesign expert. Check it out, and let me know what you guys think. I'm fairly good with photoshop, but I'm using Frontpage to design the page. I know very little HTML.

I've had to take all of the flyers down from telephone poles because apparently its illegal and I was threatened with a $300 fine PER flyer. Regardless, many tabs were taken and I now have 2 clients, just from about 48 hours worth of flyers in one neighborhood.

We're currently trying to figure out how to advertise on a very low budget. I am trying to get the word of mouth way going, however, we're looking into pricing of door hanger type flyers to put on people's doors, and also the local Pennysaver.

Any insight into any of these areas would be helpful.

good luck, but how well do you know this person? imo "possibly keep this business going when I go to school" = he/she takes your business period since they know more than you, they will probably get any permits or tax #'s in their name only. just something to watch out for....

 

[goobernoodles]

He e-mailed me after I put up flyers, letting me know he was trying to do the same thing. Nice guy.

 

[bob4432]

Originally posted by: goobernoodles
He e-mailed me after I put up flyers, letting me know he was trying to do the same thing. Nice guy.

i would be careful....unfortunately i have been burned by just about every type of person imagineable from family to religious fanatics, so cya.

 

[TriggerHappy101]

This has been a rather helpful thread. I am also 19 and I am atending a technical school for a computer network specialist associates degree. For the last month or so I have been trying to find more information on creating my own business. I am more worried about the legal and taxes aspects than anything. Does anyone have any helpful links on how to get the legal and taxes aspects nailed down?

I know for sure that if you are doing offsite work you need special insurance, and if people come over to your house - you also need special insurance.

I will be offering similar services - minus the video editing/capturing.

 

[TriggerHappy101]

bump