How much would you charge?

brandon184 · July 11th, 2004, 10:31 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, 10:34 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, 10:46 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, 10:47 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, 10:51 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, 10:53 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, 10:55 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, 11:13 PM

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

John Prophet · July 11th, 2004, 11:19 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, 11:22 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