What do hardware technicians usually charge?

[Dputiger]

Eight months ago I started a business doing computer service and repair primarily for college students at my alma mater (I graduated in '01). I charge $25 an hour, which I considered on the high end of what students could reasonably pay.

Now as I started doing some work out in town I figured I'd charge a little more and kicked up to $40 an hour--which I considered to be excellent considering my business is local and I have very little overhead (do 90% of my work on-site), no employees, etc.

Now, I thought this was a high rate, given that I live in a not-all-that-rich, somewhat-rural town (Greencastle is a town of perhaps 20,000).

But I'm starting to think it isn't--what do people generally charge for this, taking my location into account?

[Bob The Great]

A local PC shop wanted to charge me $35 for the first hour, then something like $60 an hour after that to fix a problem that made it so my computer didn't boot. I said that thanks anyway, and decided to just sell it as scrap. Pressed to power button just once more cause I decided "why not". For some reason it worked perfectly.

Any way. hope that helps. The PC shop is known to overcharge though, so I wouldn't raise it that much. Any way I think you'd drive a lot of costumers away.

I'd work on making a costumer base. Giving great support at low prices. After a while you'll be making a bunch from volume.

[auatech]

I charge 40/hr in shop and 60/hr if its on site but thats here in Hawaii and I'm one of the lower pirced shops

[FreakyOCR]

I charge $20/hour to do stuff.... but I'm the student....so I think it's good enough...

Customers like it too lol...

[LiLRiceBoi]

I have done some work for some of my friends.

Just wondering, whats a good way to get my name out there?

[AzKidd69]

the running rate around here is about the same as auatech's

50/hr in shop
60/hr on location

[OuTpaTienT]

If they haven't touched the pc since the problem arose, $40/hr ( $50/hr if they called after hours)

If they tried to fix the problem themselves first, $60/hr ( $70/hr if they called after hours)

If they are going to hover over your shoulder while you work, $80/hr


*notes on additional charges:
- if they have AOL installed, add $10/hr
- if it's an HP, Compac, emachines, or similar add $10/hr
- if it's a new Dell, give them a good slap and say "that's for listening to that dork Steven".

[NDC]

If they are going to hover over your shoulder while you work, $80/hr

So what if they didn't touch the PC since the problem arose and they're hovering over your shoulders like a hawk? Would it be $60/hr?

[Richard Cranium]

Labor rates are TOTALLY a regional thing.

When I lived in South Ga, the labor rate at the local Chevy dealer was $25 per hour.

The same year it was $35 in the northern part of the state and $45 in the Atlanta area.

So you have to decide what the market will bear.

Check the local car mechanics "flat rate" labor price.

If it's 30 per hour, charge a bit more for computer work, as they are much harder to diagnose.

[fortysomething]

Do some calling around and find out what other shops are charging, or visit the local shops & see if their rates are posted. This will give you a good idea of what local merchants are charging. Take into consideration the local economy, and what types of jobs your customers have.

I was in a shop on the north side of Indpls. the other day, and their rates were posted by the cash register. (more than you're charging)

The staff there is friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful.