What to charge for at home tech support

[IwantMKIII]

I'm helping a guy troubleshoot, purchase, and setup new computers and a network at home for his business and personal needs. I already gave him to quotes on computers I could build for him but not sure what to charge for all these small things as well including installing memory for a couple laptops, setting up the network, reloading an OS etc. So far i've worked 7 hours between research and making trips. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

I have no certifications related to computers but I know everything I'm doing is correct. I do have an engineering degree but its not like I can really charge for an engineers help for something like this...though, i wish i could lol.

 

[Mr.Forks]

when i did pc repair on the side, i charged $50 for the first hour, and $25 and hour after that- compared to best buy its a steal, and unless its something major you should be able to do it in an hour

 

[suprahero]

The above looks like a legitimate quote, but it's your time. What do you think your time is worth?

 

[Setheroo]

Hmmm.... for the tech support that I do for a living, it is $30/hr on weekdays before 7 - and after that it is $60/hr (same price for weekends).

But considering my tech support isn't limited to just computers and networking quite like yours seems to be - I would shoot more towards what Forks was quoting.

 

[SupraMario]

Hmmm.... for the tech support that I do for a living, it is $30/hr on weekdays before 7 - and after that it is $60/hr (same price for weekends).

But considering my tech support isn't limited to just computers and networking quite like yours seems to be - I would shoot more towards what Forks was quoting.

Holy crap that is cheap!

 

[GrimJack]

When I was running my consulting business, I charged out at $75 / hour, and had to turn away work sometimes.

 

[IwantMKIII]

Wow, you guys aren't cheap lol. At least for what I find to be easy work at least. I find it humoring how little people really know about technology, it really puts into perspective why people can charge as much as they do. Thanks for the tips. Based on here and another computer forum ill probably stick to around 25/hr with this guy. I want to keep it low as he can connect me to the entire town for work, and from there I could up the price.

 

[IwantMKIII]

Hmmm.... for the tech support that I do for a living, it is $30/hr on weekdays before 7 - and after that it is $60/hr (same price for weekends).

But considering my tech support isn't limited to just computers and networking quite like yours seems to be - I would shoot more towards what Forks was quoting.

What is it that you do, larger networks/business?

 

[SupraMario]

When I was running my consulting business, I charged out at $75 / hour, and had to turn away work sometimes.

Yep, 95 an hour here...and still that's cheap compared to others.

 

[GrimJack]

Yep, 95 an hour here...and still that's cheap compared to others.

I should point out it has been 15 years since I closed that business. I expect pricing has changed a bit since then.

 

[Setheroo]

What is it that you do, larger networks/business?

Nahhh I do photocenter software and printers - stuff like that. There is some networking involved in it, but not that much. The cool part about my work setup is - if I work for only 5 minutes on something - I take home 2 hours pay - no matter what. Gotta love minimum rates!

 

[SupraMario]

I should point out it has been 15 years since I closed that business. I expect pricing has changed a bit since then.

O yea, we are on the cheap side, I've seen places hit around $150 an hour.

 

[suprarx7nut]

Without any certification or professional business to back you, I would say 25/hr seems reasonable. If you can create a business out of it and get your A+ cert or something then start charging more like 75-100.

I wouldn't even think about what Best Buy charges because their rates are absolutely astronomical. You're better off buying a brand new computer after you've paid for their service. Which is kinda the point because they sell the computers...

 

[IJ.]

Put any thought into what happens if someone decides to sue you for whatever reason?

 

[Setheroo]

Put any thought into what happens if someone decides to sue you for whatever reason?

People don't sue people, not over here in America

 

[IJ.]

People don't sue people, not over here in America

LOL'd for real

must have imagined it!

 

[7Matt-GE]

when i did tech support free lancing i charged upwards of 200+ an hour..but i did tech support for law firms guys like that have hardly a brain to think outside law books so they just throw money at you till the problem is fixed LOL