Hourly rate for general computer repair?

[angelkiller]

So this lady heard I was good with computers and asked me to look at hers.

She said she's been having some kind of email issues and printer issues.

How much should I charge hourly for going over and looking at this?

I was thinkin ~$10-15, but I really have no idea.

Thanks.

[brandonwh64]

well i do a high number cause usually it doesn't take me long to fix a problem. I usually charge 25$ hr

[ZenZimZaliben]

At least $25/hr and that includes drive time. Unless she is hot, then work something else out.

[NeilSmith]

the "professional" rate my friend charges is 80$ an hour plus travel, then again he is a fully certified technician with a great deal of demand for his services.

imo, anywhere between 10-25 an hour (on site) with an additional 5-10$ gas expense (25-35 cents per mile or a flat rate...) would be acceptable for a non certified job, if of course, you fix the problem.

[drade]

It depends on the location really. Professionals around my area do about 60, myself When I use to do computer repair for my buddies I charged 25$. It all depends on your location and the need for computer repair.

[Sasqui]

Ask her to bake you a cake.

Really though has she offered to pay you, or expecting this to be a favor? That makes a big difference.

[ZenZimZaliben]

Another way to look at it.

If you buy ram at BestBuy and have Geeksquad install it will cost $100.00. Just to take the side off and pop in a new stick of ram and make sure it boots. And the client has to drive their computer down to get it fixed.

You could easily charge more. But if you are looking at doing this as a permanent side gig or even a job... WOrd of mouth (viral marketing) will be your best friend. You do a good job on her system and not charge outrageous and she will likely refer you to a friend and it will just continue on this way. And each time you can raise your rates a little.

[Steevo]

$25 to start
$50 if you are good
$75 for excellent

[johnspack]

I'm a college educated, certified, almost 20yrs experienced techie. For non-certified jobs that take less than 1hr, I typically charge $20. If it's going to be multi-hour, then $35-50. Of course it varies on your clientele, and what they can afford, and how much time you can afford.

[ShRoOmAlIsTiC]

i usually charge, $60 for 1st hour which(gas and drive time) then $30 each additional hour.

[niko084]

I charge $110 for in shop and $150 for onsite, as soon as I touch a linux based server or another proprietary system it's $210.

Granted this depends a lot on your area, how big your name is, how good you are and what people are willing to pay.

[angelkiller]

Thanks for the responses.

I helped out a fiend with his family's computer and they have referred their grandmother to me.

I have no intentions of doing this on the side, but I said I would help this lady out.

I'm going to charge $25/hour for now simply because it's my first time doing this. I would do this for free tbh, so $25 is alot more than I was expecting. And it seems that's a pretty cheap rate, which is what I want.

[Kreij]

It's someone's gamdma?
Have her bake you some cookies or something.
Home made cookies are worth more than $25 ... at least to me

[niko084]

Originally Posted by angelkiller

I'm going to charge $25/hour for now simply because it's my first time doing this. I would do this for free tbh, so $25 is alot more than I was expecting. And it seems that's a pretty cheap rate, which is what I want.

That's pretty nice of you, $25 an hour for private work cash on the side is pretty good actually, most general techs make under $12 an hour.

Just remember in this field you help too many people out for free they all start expecting it and always cry to you with their problems... It can get pretty annoying and is a very common mistake.

Not saying don't help people but... Make sure they at least take notice that your time is valuable and you are doing them a favor.

Originally Posted by Kreij

Home made cookies are worth more than $25 ... at least to me

Especially grandma style cookies!

[angelkiller]

Originally Posted by niko084

That's pretty nice of you, $25 an hour for private work cash on the side is pretty good actually, most general techs make under $12 an hour.

Wait is $25 too much??

[Kreij]

Niko is right. When people find out you are good with computers/networks they call for all kinds of stupid shit.
For friends and family I do it no charge because they usually make me and the Mrs. dinner or something.
Anyone else, I tell them $125/hours or google it and fix it yourself.

No, $25 is not too much. Do you want the cash or the good will? Your call.

[DonInKansas]

I charge $40 for he initial consult which covers the first hour, then $25/hour after that. I've never had a complaint because the computer shops around are more expensive plus an hour drive away.

[IggSter]

UK Prices:

for on-the-side home pc/friends and family etc - £25p/h
for on the side business (as a favour) - £50-£75
Cost for a commecial contract - £310

[Kreij]

In all honesty, if you are not doing this as a side business, just do the woman a favor and don't charge her.
She may be able to help you with something in the future and she will remember you helped her for free.
What goes around, comes around. Life is like that.

[angelkiller]

Originally Posted by niko084

Just remember in this field you help too many people out for free they all start expecting it and always cry to you with their problems... It can get pretty annoying and is a very common mistake.

Not saying don't help people but... Make sure they at least take notice that your time is valuable and you are doing them a favor.

Originally Posted by Kreij

Niko is right. When people find out you are good with computers/networks they call for all kinds of stupid shit.
For friends and family I do it no charge because they usually make me and the Mrs. dinner or something.
Anyone else, I tell them $125/hours or google it and fix it yourself.

No, $25 is not too much. Do you want the cash or the good will? Your call.

Alright, sticking to $25/hour.

Yeah, the only reason I'm doing this is because the first family I helped asked if they could give my name to their grandmother. I'm wayyy to nice to say no, so of course I agreed.

$125 an hour? Wow, that's awesome.

Originally Posted by Kreij

In all honesty, if you are not doing this as a side business, just do the woman a favor and don't charge her.
She may be able to help you with something in the future and she will remember you helped her for free.
What goes around, comes around. Life is like that.

My dad says that.

I feel like I should charge something becuase I do feel that my time is actually kinda valuable. Plus I have to go over there, which is somewhat difficult when I don't have a car. That's why I picked something cheap.

[Kreij]

The reason I tell them $125/hour is so they will pass on it.
I have a job, a family and a life. I don't need the work.
Works every time.

[niko084]

Another ticket to the insane rate is you don't really charge that...

Like for instance if I wipe/reload a windows OS, I generally charge a flat $125 even though it takes over an hour.

Where it starts to gouge is things like business data recovery because some stupid company didn't listen to me and setup a backup for their say accounting. Then it's for every single 1/2 hour I'm sitting there.

[Kreij]

My dad says that.

Your dad is right.

I feel like I should charge something becuase I do feel that my time is actually kinda valuable.

Friends are more valuable. Always.

[digibucc]

yeah the one thing you don't want is to be pegged as the family/friend/workplace tech guy.

if it's your job, that's near impossible. but even so - i have a full time job and still constantly have 3+ computers sitting next to my desk, that friends/family/co-workers need fixed. that means less of a life and free time for me because i can't get myself to just say "no, can't help"

[cadaveca]

I charge $65 an hour. I get a fair amount of business.


I do not charge people to diagnose issues. I charge $125 to install windows, drivers, apps, & file restore.


I only do work with a deposit.


I get 3-5 computers a month.


When I do work, I place "dummy" stickers on heatsinks, case doors, and drive connectors. I offer "warranties" on my work.

I do not deal with software problems. I almost ALWAYS re-isntall windows.

I do not mix business with pleasure. However, I typically, in the very least, have a drink or 4 with the "customer" when they pick up thier machine. If the customer is female, she gets a pack of cleaning cloths, and cleaners for the pc.

If you want to look professional, get a proper invoice book made up for you. I pay $8 for a book of 200 invoices from a local print shop with my business name and logo. $25 for 500 business cards. When I present the bill, they get an itemized invoice(showing what was done, and the time involved, and pricing of any replacement parts), with a business card attached. I also try to wear a shirt that has my logo on it when dealing with people.