What do I charge for this?

[OuTpaTienT]

I got a neighbor that wants me to teach her "how to use her computer". I figure a few sessions of showing her the basics in things like, word-processing, getting on-line, navigating the web, retrieving sending email, basic Windoze functions, etc. etc.

Now I don't mind helping her out, but also I don't want to be doing this for free. Plus she's mentioned she has a friend or two that might also need some help with their pc's. Don't know where this is going & basically I'm just doing this to be a nice guy, but should it maybe evolve into a little side-business I'd like to start off right.

So what do ya charge for "computer training"?

[jamesharvey]

i'm not really sure how much to charge, but just as a side, i had a lovely priced quote yesterday.

after calling a store for help with a possible corrupt fdd, they told me they "weren't sure what the problem was" but i could bring it in and they would take a look at it. however, they would charge me a minimum of 1 hours work at £50 ph (about $75) plus tax just to look at the damn thing!!! instead, it took me 5 mins and i fixed it myself

sooooo, the moral of the story is don't screw ppl over, cos they are more clever than you think!

i personally would go for something like $15-30ph if it teaching someone how to use a computer, depending on what u actually have to "teach them".

If she's a friend, I'd say $10 per hour is fair. For her friends though, $15.

I do it for a steak dinner.

-Whir

[jamesharvey]

maybe Americans get better value for their computing-money

[Wizzard~Of~Ozz]

Also depends on what her friends look like and if you're single.

I used to charge about 20-25$/hr but it ended up not being worth the agravation since a lot of people want to know how to use a computer but don't want to learn. I gave up on trying to show people how to do stuff other then a need to know basis, trying to dump basics into a mind that didn't really care was impossible for me, instead I bought him the idiots guide and left it at that =]

[SBMcG]

I used to charge the average person $30 to $40 per hour for this type of training. You have to remember, if you are going to go into this endeavor, your neighbor will now see you as the computer expert, and will call on you all the time. If you make it clear up front that you charge for this information, they will be less likely to call you. And yes, they will call you on Holidays, and in the middle of the night.
I recently was working for a computer training center, and the basic Windows class (6 hours) was selling for $225.00. That would equal out to $37.50 per hour.
If this is a good friend, then just do it for free and put up with the annoying phone calls.

[Tomteriffic]

In my studio, when I take an outside job, it's either "full price or free" For as friend it's free if I'm intrigued by the project and they're willing to work around my schedule.

Full price is determined by what I bill per hour at my day gig, what my cut of that billing is, and how much I actually take home after taxes. Then I add in a little bit considering that, for me, it's overtime and time away from my leisure pursuits. (Like blasting electrons all over this place ). I really don't give a hoot what others are charging, that's my price and pay it or not. I don't care.

Try that as a formula and see what ya think.

Tell ya what, though, companies are getting upwards of $75 an hour here for in-home 1-on-1 computer training. My guess is that the tech who actually comes out is pocketing about $20 to $25 of that.

OuT, you've been helping me learn how to use my computer better for 2 years now. I'm sure glad you've shared your knowledge with us for free.

I understand that people can't provide personal tech support for everyone that requests it because you'd have no time left for yourself. If you don't set the rate high enough, your phone will be constantly ringing for minor problems (unless you want this to become a full time job )

OuT, are you sure you won't get irritated and hit her over the head with her keyboard about the 3rd time she tries to put her coffee in the cd? Or asks which is the anykey?

If she's cute she owes you dinner, her friends are 25 bucks an hour. If she isn't, and since she's a neighbor,, 100 bucks.