[Broly]

Hey Everybody!

I have an issue that I need help with. I do "in warranty" PC repair for a living and I get paid a certain amount per house call that I perform.

My problem is that in almost every call that I do, my customers have other problems that are outside of the scope of what their warranty covers. So they always ask me to help with whatever their problem may be, be it spyware or whatever. These customers would like to be able to call me to back to their houses to help them with other issues that may come up that doesn't fall within the boundaries of their warranties.

So I can't do this stuff for free as I find myself doing more and more lately. What I need from someone here is a generic code to go by as far as charging folks for their repairs.

For example: How much should I charge someone to clean up a HD, or replace a HD? How much should I charge someone to upgrade memory or replace a powersupply.

I need a price list that profitable but undercuts the "Geek Squad".

Can anyone of you help?

Thanks

B. O. .

[Mr. Newton]

One thing to consider is the country you are in.If you were in Canada for instance,then a reasonable amount would be in the $20hr range, with maybe a minimum rate,say for under an hr. Or a flat rate for a no problem straight forward job, like remove /replace something.$20 in Canada is reasonable.

[Elvandil]

I charge $40/hr. but only for time actually spent doing something. If it takes me 10 minutes to start an installation and then I can go do something else, I only charge that first person for the 10 minutes. Parts are +10%.

The results are that my totals are usually lower than others. People seem only to care about rates when they start out, but it is the total that they remember.

[Stoner]

Hi Broly .......you need to call around in your area and see what is being charged and then determine prices that are competitive and yet profitable.

[WhitPhil]

A couple of "services" from a Whitby firm. Note that it is a Bricks and Mortar business, not a techie working from a home office.
(in store)
Reinstall-$75
Reinstall with updates-$90
Diagnostic
- min charge (includes 1st half hour diagnostics/repari - $35
- shop rate - $60/hr
Parts upgrade
- per component - $15

If, you are in fact travelling to the customer site/home, you most likely want to have a standard mileage charge as well.