How far do you go for a customer when performing a system recovery and at what rate?
This question is primarily aimed towards computer techs, help desk support, etc, but anyone with helpful advice is welcome to reply.
I do in-home and office small computer repairs. Occasionally circumstances call for a system recovery. Obviouslly you back up the customers data, blow away and reinstall the OS and restore the data. But as you know, this can leave the PC needing years worth of OS and software patches and fixes. Also, anything that didnt come pre-installed on the computer would need to be replaced.
How much time do you guys spend on a job like this? How much of the updating do you do and how much do you leave for the customer? Have you found any shortcuts or timesavers I may not be aware of? And most importantly, how much do you charge for this service? Do you charge a flat rate or hourly?
This isnt such a big deal if the customer says 'nothing on it is important" and you are basically reinstalling the OS. BUT when someone wants a dozen applications reinstalled and it takes 4-5 hours to do it, it is hard for me to charge them an hourly rate of say $60-$80, for a total of $320-$450, when new computers can be had for $500! Any advice would REALLY be appreciated!
I do in-home and office small computer repairs. Occasionally circumstances call for a system recovery. Obviouslly you back up the customers data, blow away and reinstall the OS and restore the data. But as you know, this can leave the PC needing years worth of OS and software patches and fixes. Also, anything that didnt come pre-installed on the computer would need to be replaced.
How much time do you guys spend on a job like this? How much of the updating do you do and how much do you leave for the customer? Have you found any shortcuts or timesavers I may not be aware of? And most importantly, how much do you charge for this service? Do you charge a flat rate or hourly?
This isnt such a big deal if the customer says 'nothing on it is important" and you are basically reinstalling the OS. BUT when someone wants a dozen applications reinstalled and it takes 4-5 hours to do it, it is hard for me to charge them an hourly rate of say $60-$80, for a total of $320-$450, when new computers can be had for $500! Any advice would REALLY be appreciated!
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also if they bought a new computer they would still be left with the same task of reinstalling everything and moving the data they aren't saving anything by doing that. and if they are capable of doing that themselves then they don't need me to do as much so it ends up cheaper all they are paying for is the reinstall time and driver loading.
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ASKER
This is great info. I am still "feeling things out" and have done this on an hourly basis and at a flat rate. I have also done it at home and charged less. I guess my major concern was doing in a home or business and having to charge $300+, at an hourly rate.
My wife tells me I'm just not used to charging/making this kind of money yet. It comes fairly easy to me and I guess I feel guilty. But she reminds me that :
1. It doesn't come easy to the client or they wouldn't have called.
2. That I spent years and lots of $$$ on college and training
3. That other people are charging the same and the client will call someone else, if not me.
It makes me feel better to hear it from you guys. I don't want to feel guilty or like I am "cheating" someone. Did any of you go through this when you first started?
My wife tells me I'm just not used to charging/making this kind of money yet. It comes fairly easy to me and I guess I feel guilty. But she reminds me that :
1. It doesn't come easy to the client or they wouldn't have called.
2. That I spent years and lots of $$$ on college and training
3. That other people are charging the same and the client will call someone else, if not me.
It makes me feel better to hear it from you guys. I don't want to feel guilty or like I am "cheating" someone. Did any of you go through this when you first started?
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"blush" I took me years to understand this. Giving away freebees is just not a thing to do when you run a business. As you I had to have a wife behind me, putting me in the right direction.
ASKER
Thanks for all of the input.
the computer is useless without the programs and data so don't compare.
Either they want it setup or they can reinstall all of their SW and data themselves. Most will want a professional to do it.
I hope this helps !