How much would you charge?

**brandon184** · July 11th, 2004, 09:31 PM

If you were fixing a system that needed a complete hard drive format and reinstallation of the operating system (Windows XP in this case), which would also mean that you would have to back up about a gigabyte of their data, restore that data, configure the system to work properly once the OS was reinstalled and download windows critical updates, etc.

--- How much would you charge?

**FatalException** · July 11th, 2004, 09:34 PM

$40 for installing the drive and taking the old one out. Another $30 for the OS, updates, drivers, and other setup.

For reference, I worked for best buy a few months ago as a technician and know that they charge $50 for the hard drive install and $60 to install the OS and drivers.

**EvilRick** · July 11th, 2004, 09:46 PM

I'd say you have a good 3 hours worth of work there. I'm not counting that you sit in front of the PC while XP is installing. You might tell them 4 and if it doesn't take you that long, then you tell them it only took 3 (or however long) and that they don't have to give you as much. Also let them know it may take more than 4 depending on what difficulties you run into.

Those "quick and easy" jobs are always the ones that seem to have a snag somewhere causing a headache and extra time.

**MD1032** · July 11th, 2004, 09:47 PM

I did this for a friend once. He just got the hard drive. I wouldn't even think of charging him anything. When I reinstall someone's OS and stuff, it's something I just do, wouldn't even think about taking their money, that's just stupid considering how dirt-easy the job is.

**John Prophet** · July 11th, 2004, 09:51 PM

I charged a guy about $120 I think the other day...that was a house call....which is normally $50....he had like a zillion viruses...I sat there like an hr trying to get it straight....then i told him id have to take it home etc..and probably totally reinstall windows and also try to save his data that he wanted.

the way I do a reinstall etc..it takes several hrs...drivers, tweaks (service configs), saving/restoring data

all in all the job took several hrs...

Its not worth my time to charge $75 for that much headache

I know the local stores charge probably $75 and YOU have to bring it TO THEM and you have to hook it all up when you bring it home etc etc..and they charge more for saving any data...and I know, cuz I worked locally, that they often dont bother with critical updates..they simply tell that dialup user "when you get home, go to windows update site"

I had been charging like $75 but it just wasnt worth it for the quality of the job i was doing...so I charged this guy like $120....which was probably like $30/hr.

He didnt have to crawl on the floor and try to figure out which wire went where, I came out and did all that for him....installed his printer when I got there etc etc.

-----

Several times when I first went out and did jobs....I would charge like $75 and the people would be like "is that all?" and a few of them gave me a tip..so that was a clue to adjust it upward.

JP

**FatalException** · July 11th, 2004, 09:53 PM

If it isn't a close friend, though, as the previous poster stated, I would suggest charging. I mean, it may be a "dirt-easy" job for people like us who know what we're doing, but don't most people still go to the local garage to get their oil changed or tires rotated (and dish out a nice sum of cash to have it done) even though mechanics would consider such tasks "dirt-easy?"

Remember - the person is paying for your expertise, not just your time. For many people, fiddling around inside their computer and reinstalling the OS can be very scary. If they want you to do it - charge them, but charge them a fair price. Go with your gut.

**EvilRick** · July 11th, 2004, 09:55 PM

I'm curious why you think it's "stupid"?

If you'll re-read the post, you'll notice he's not replacing the hard drive, he's fixing the PC by doing a format and reinstalling the OS. What he is doing is time consuming in the fact that he stated he's backing up the data and is then going to return the PC back to it's original configuration.

To me, you'd be "stupid" for not charging somebody since it does involve some knowledge so as not to destroy their data.

**RayH** · July 11th, 2004, 10:13 PM

If it's something straight forward, maybe $75. I GB of data isn't much.

**John Prophet** · July 11th, 2004, 10:19 PM

If it was a friend I wouldnt charge as much naturally....I have a friend who does fitness training etc..he cuts me a break on protein bars and I cut him a break on tech stuff.

**paul9** · July 11th, 2004, 10:22 PM

hey. i'm going to have to start charging for this stuff

i put a firewall, a/v, antispyware etc and cleaned the virus crud off someones' pc a week ago, and he was going to give me a laptop for it. win 3.1 on this thing, but still nice of him to offer. he did mention cash in addition. i might take him up on the lappy if i get bored and want a new toy

**VHockey86** · July 11th, 2004, 10:23 PM

I normally charge 20/hour for that kinda kinda work, since alot of it is just waiting for windows to install files and stuff.

Kind of depends on the person tho a little.
If I know they are not strapped for cash I dont mind charging a higher rate, but for some people I feel sorry for em and charge less, especially if its the first time Ive done any work for them.

**filipino** · July 11th, 2004, 10:25 PM

here in the philippines ill charge 20 bucks for all the work indicated ....

**paul9** · July 11th, 2004, 10:44 PM

i hate doing the virus scans etc. especially when you know the machine is heavily infested, by the way it takes two minutes to open an explorer window, and won't let you reach any of your favourite security tools websites. that's when you really feel like typing format c: and e:\setup and saying where is the case off your windows cd? you know the one with the sticker on for the cd key? what do you mean, you think you threw it out?

do you have a driver disk for this sound/video/network/modem card/motherboard?

**ArcticFox** · July 12th, 2004, 12:48 PM

Good thread, good timing. I'm currently wrapping a job for a woman who needed something repaired in her PC, I forget what all I was supposed to do. Anyways, it looked like a simple straightforward reformat, but it took me awhile to get Windows discs, but after that I realised there was about 80MB of stuff to back up, that's just a couple trips for my flash drive. It was a fairly straightforward operation, although I can't get drivers for her modem or soundcard, so she may have to buy new ones.

She is paying $15/hour, so I'll probably say $60 but maybe $75 because it's taking a bit longer than I expected.

Just to give you an idea.

**FatalException** · July 12th, 2004, 12:50 PM

You could always ask them to pay you in services or with a good dinner, depending on how close you are to the person!

**John Prophet** · July 12th, 2004, 12:52 PM

I can't get drivers for her modem or soundcard, so she may have to buy new ones.

ugggh..thats not good.

Why cant you get drivers? you get the numbers off the parts on google for them??

I am sure you can find em 99% of the time.

**John Prophet** · July 12th, 2004, 12:53 PM

You could always ask them to pay you in services or with a good dinner

that would be a good arrangement..problem being that when I go to pay my rent they always tend to want cash, lol

**grandchehaw** · July 12th, 2004, 12:55 PM

Dang. And to think I've been charging friends and family $40 bucks. I think its time to adjust my prices.

**John Prophet** · July 12th, 2004, 12:59 PM

I had a need to find a property line once....so I call this guy..he is retired but he does this on the side.

he says "well, I have to drive downtown and get the deed etc...so from the time I crank my car it is $60/hr"

same story from plumbers and mechanics etc.

I am tired of working for peanuts...$50 for 4 hrs of work..plus wear and tear on my car?? no thanks.

I can see me now telling someone that the meter is ticking from the time I start my car....yet that is what other people say....so I have had to adjust my meter a little upwards...especially when they are in a mansion with 9 cars out front..or a realty office and the parking lot looks like a Mercedes dealership.

**ArcticFox** · July 12th, 2004, 01:07 PM

I guess I try to be a people-pleaser, but I also have to take care of a family of four (two canine, two feline, eh). Do you think I should charge more than $60 for the job I'm doing with the reformat and whatnot? I don't have a full-time job, so it's allowance, lawn mowings, and stuff like this that keeps me going.

JP - you don't do this as a full-time thing either, right? Granted, you also have a lot more experience than me under your belt, and more than just time.