PCMech Forums - View Single Post - How Much do you charge to do a custom build or repair?

Haasman · 09-23-2005, 11:28 AM

I think it boils down to whether you are trying to make a living off of your work or just add to it AND what your experience is.

I always look at automotive labor rates as a guide. Today's professional mechanics have to have a large investment in tools and training. Shops labor rates are both the tech and overhead.

Often, straight forward repairs can be charged per unit of labor. Other problems, such as trouble-shooting can be very tough on computer techs and customers.

I carefully pick my customers. I turn down easily three out of four inquiries. I always give ONE hour phone support with ANY repair and I do keep VERY careful records of this. Once the one hour is passed I tell the cutomers and they always have paid.

I carefully tell must customers that I do not work for free. I always encourage them to find someone else.

The days of taking your computer some place to "get it fixed" are over. There is simply way too much dependence, key strokes and customizations to simply "have someone fix it".

I never work on a computer without backing up whatever is there. NEVER. I will remove drives and image them before I start. If a customer claims I didn't repair it correctly, I simply copy the image back and give it back to them.

Haasman

09-23-2005, 11:28 AM	#21
Haasman Member (6 bit) Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 38	I think it boils down to whether you are trying to make a living off of your work or just add to it AND what your experience is. I always look at automotive labor rates as a guide. Today's professional mechanics have to have a large investment in tools and training. Shops labor rates are both the tech and overhead. Often, straight forward repairs can be charged per unit of labor. Other problems, such as trouble-shooting can be very tough on computer techs and customers. I carefully pick my customers. I turn down easily three out of four inquiries. I always give ONE hour phone support with ANY repair and I do keep VERY careful records of this. Once the one hour is passed I tell the cutomers and they always have paid. I carefully tell must customers that I do not work for free. I always encourage them to find someone else. The days of taking your computer some place to "get it fixed" are over. There is simply way too much dependence, key strokes and customizations to simply "have someone fix it". I never work on a computer without backing up whatever is there. NEVER. I will remove drives and image them before I start. If a customer claims I didn't repair it correctly, I simply copy the image back and give it back to them. Haasman