Hourly rate for general computer repair?

[Soylent Joe]

I do $10/hr plus hardware costs. It doesn't matter to me how much one CAN make in the line of work, I refuse to be an asswipe that charges something anywhere close to what Geek Squad or Staples charges.

For what I actually do, and for what most of actually do for a client, $10-$15/hr is fair. Any more is gouging because you can.

 

[niko084]

I do $10/hr plus hardware costs. It doesn't matter to me how much one CAN make in the line of work, I refuse to be an asswipe that charges something anywhere close to what Geek Squad or Staples charges.

For what I actually do, and for what most of actually do for a client, $10-$15/hr is fair. Any more is gouging because you can.

I think you are getting FAR ahead of yourself here.

Maybe you don't like to pay taxes on your business, because at that rate by the time you are done paying for your bonding and insurance you made about $4 an hour.

There is a difference a BIG difference between someone who fixes computers on the side and business that deals with multi-million dollar companies systems/networks with 150 employees and every hour they are down costs them thousands of dollars.

Not ripping into you, but be careful how you put things.

 

[Soylent Joe]

I think you are getting FAR ahead of yourself here.

Maybe you don't like to pay taxes on your business, because at that rate by the time you are done paying for your bonding and insurance you made about $4 an hour.

There is a difference a BIG difference between someone who fixes computers on the side and business that deals with multi-million dollar companies systems/networks with 150 employees and every hour they are down costs them thousands of dollars.

Not ripping into you, but be careful how you put things.

I was talking about doing repairs as a hobby/side-job for a little extra cash. Of course if you have to pay taxes on that income you're going to charge more.

 

[cadaveca]

Technically, any income you get must be declared. I make just enough to cover my expenses.

And my prices have nothing to do with gouging...I have 4 kids, and my time is valuable. Anything that takes away from that time, costs ALOT.

And i cannot do pc work with 3, 5, 7, and 9 year-olds tugging at me. And I cannot, without feeling guilty, tell them to get out of my hair so I can work, without the reimbursement being of equal or greater value.



And people tend to pay me MORE than what I ask for. I usually get an avg 10-15% tip, and more often than not, on the larger bills.


But all the things I do to look professional costs money, and real people understand this.

@ $10 to $15 an hour, I just wouldn't bother. $15 will not buy a pack of cigarettes and bus fare in one direction, here. It does not buy a 6-pack of beer, either, unless you buy the real cheap stuff(which I do, anyway).

 

[JrRacinFan]

I will be honest, I've been mainly doing work for my cousin on his own personal pc for nothin but I am a sucker.

$25/hr minimum + hardware costs + a trip charge is what i usually go. For instance not too long ago, a co-worker had a computer repair for me, I found the cpu out of socket with tons of bent pins & power supply blown. Charged her $55+cost of power supply (which at the time was a backup).

 

[majestic12]

I've been doing it (computer repairs and upgrades) a lot for my wife's parents' friends lately. I never charge them. If it's some random stranger though, my time is worth at least $30 an hour. For friends and family, I usually just ask for a soda and an "arigato".

 

[n-ster]

Your 1st time with a grandma should be cheaper... say 18$/hr or something

Next job charge 25$, then the next, if you feel good and you clientele isn't poor, perphaps 30$/hr for the 1st hr and 25 after that...

DO NOT DO LIKE ME!

So I did some repairs for friends and family right? then they expect me to troubleshoot all of their problems, for free, and NOW. then My family's friends come to me etc etc. Sunday I had this lady the woke me up at 7:50AM and wanteed me there in half an hour to fix her problem because it was urgent... I had slept about an hour when she called lol, but she was begging me so I couldn't say no, even though I had a Hockey tournament at noon and a poker tournament at 4PM

 

[gunsmoke]

If you have any broken p.c parts like RAM/PSU that just still work kicking about.
pop them inside her computer that way when she has a NEW p.c problem she comes
Back two you JUST smell all them DOLLARS

 

[xBruce88x]

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.

damn i wish i could get away with that... people around here get mad if i charge $50 to do all that... then again I happen to be in the highest population/lowest income town in the area (20mile radius...)

 

[Radical_Edward]

I normally charge $15 an hour plus parts/software/etc.

 

[PaulieG]

I run a small mobile repair service in addition to my "real" job. Recently, I've only been taking 4-5 jobs a month due to kids, finishing my Masters degree and training for a powerlifting comp. As it has already been stated, my time is valuable and at a premium. I do not gouge, but the job has to be worth doing. Given that, I charge $35 per hour for any repairs, but unlike others who do not charge to diagnose, I charge a flat $35 for diagnosis. To me, time diagnosing is no different than time repairing. For a brand new build, I charge a flat $80 for a new build, as it usually takes no more than 2 hours to finish a new build and test it.

 

[niko084]

I charge a flat $35 for diagnosis. To me, time diagnosing is no different than time repairing.

I find this to be extremely important, because a lot of people will bring you a computer, ask whats wrong with it, have you tell them and then go off and fix it themselves to pay someone else to do it, meanwhile you are out your time..

My general rule is, free diagnostics with repair but if you just want it back you are paying for my time.

 

[cadaveca]

The no diagnose fee is the hook, here. All the other places in town, including other like me, charge for diagnose...

95% of the issues I deal with are infected PCs from "pirates". I'm sorry, but if you get a virus because you are too cheap to buy products, or are plain old broke, but lack the respect of others' work, then I'm gonna stick it in your bum, dry.

I'm pretty blunt. That goes for everything. I tell people, very simply...if you don't pay in cash for your entertainment, then either you'll pay in frustration, or you'll pay me, very often, to re-install windows.


Spending time here on forums, seeing all these issues people have, really has cut down on my diagnosis time. I can't cure PBKAC, but I definately can cure virus or hardware issues. Windows Event Viewer is a pretty useful tool...


Having run many businesses now, I know that adaptability to the market is really the important part. While I do things one way, that does not mean that it's the only way it should be done...It's mearly what suits my customer base.

I could expand that customer base, apply different marketing practices, etc, lower pricing, etc...but I don't need MORE work...I'd be happy with none, to be completely honest.

The only reason I do the things I do is because it allows me to present myself as confident in my skills. I do ALOT of free work for people..but not with PCs. Need some laborious work done...door fixed? Sidewalk shovelled? Drain unplugged? Need help moving something heavy or to a new place? I'm the first to offer my help, no strings.

But if you need your pc fixed, well, you're gonna pay me. Want a custom pc? Prices start @ $1250.00. Wanna spend less on a pc? Go to Dell.

 

[PaulieG]

I find this to be extremely important, because a lot of people will bring you a computer, ask whats wrong with it, have you tell them and then go off and fix it themselves to pay someone else to do it, meanwhile you are out your time..

My general rule is, free diagnostics with repair but if you just want it back you are paying for my time.

Exactly, which is why I charge. I learned my lesson giving free diagnosis. I still undercut the shops though, as the 2 local shops charge $65 an hour from the second they put a system on their bench.

[/QUOTE]Soylent Joe;2107009]I do $10/hr plus hardware costs. It doesn't matter to me how much one CAN make in the line of work, I refuse to be an asswipe that charges something anywhere close to what Geek Squad or Staples charges.

For what I actually do, and for what most of actually do for a client, $10-$15/hr is fair. Any more is gouging because you can.[/QUOTE]

Really? You might as well not charge at all, and just say you are just volunteering your time. At that price, in a competitive market, you are severely undercutting the marketplace, which is bad for the small businesses who are trying to survive. As stated above, the little guy makes just a reasonable profit after they pay for overhead.

 

[PaulieG]

I find this to be extremely important, because a lot of people will bring you a computer, ask whats wrong with it, have you tell them and then go off and fix it themselves to pay someone else to do it, meanwhile you are out your time..

My general rule is, free diagnostics with repair but if you just want it back you are paying for my time.

Exactly, which is why I charge. I learned my lesson giving free diagnosis. I still undercut the shops though, as the 2 local shops charge $65 an hour from the second they put a system on their bench.

I do $10/hr plus hardware costs. It doesn't matter to me how much one CAN make in the line of work, I refuse to be an asswipe that charges something anywhere close to what Geek Squad or Staples charges.

For what I actually do, and for what most of actually do for a client, $10-$15/hr is fair. Any more is gouging because you can.

You might as well not charge anything, and say you are volunteering your time. In a competitive marketplace, you are severely undercutting small business owners. Believe it or not, after all the overhead at a small shop, they make only a reasonable profit.