Charge how much to build a computer?

[Master Chief]

People keep asking me to build or upgrade thier systems and I always do it free. Well no mister nice guy! How much should I be charging for a full install of everything including the os?

[Telexen]

10% to 15% of the total cost of the system, depending on how much it is and how much trouble it gave you is fair for most.

[omalleytrading]

I'd say you figure out an hourly charge, then bill based on how long it took. If you decide that $25 per hour is fair, and it takes you 3 hours, bill them $75.

I don't think the percentage approach is fair. Does it take you any longer to install a Radeon 9800 than it does to install a TNT 2? No, but by using the percentage approach, you'd be billing the customer 10 times as much for that install.

[Telexen]

Originally posted by omalleytrading
I'd say you figure out an hourly charge, then bill based on how long it took. If you decide that $25 per hour is fair, and it takes you 3 hours, bill them $75.

I don't think the percentage approach is fair. Does it take you any longer to install a Radeon 9800 than it does to install a TNT 2? No, but by using the percentage approach, you'd be billing the customer 10 times as much for that install.

You use the same care installing a TNT 2 as a Radeon 9800? I don't...

[butch81385]

if it cost more that $3, i take care putting it in.. i dont have the money to replace anything more than $3

[omalleytrading]

Originally posted by Telexen
You use the same care installing a TNT 2 as a Radeon 9800? I don't...

Perhaps the computer building business isn't for you then.

I'm sure your customers wouldn't appreciate hearing that quality only matters for thos who purchase the most expensive parts.

[sKiT]

20-25/ hour = friend price. Once you tell them best buy or comp usa is gonna charge them twice that rate, they see the light. An important note is that you make sure they know you are not warranty man. In other words you wont be coming back doing tech support crap for them for free. Same applies to calling you up for help. little things turn into big messes via phone support with other than power users/admins and its not worth it unless they make it worth it for you.

[nukes]

Definatley. You have to stop being Mr Nice Guy at some point, otherwise there's no end to it. I should know!

[Eryk]

if its a friend... you should do it for free... what if you screw up?? your going to have to pay them instead.

[thePh@r@oh]

Originally posted by sKiT
20-25/ hour = friend price. Once you tell them best buy or comp usa is gonna charge them twice that rate, they see the light. An important note is that you make sure they know you are not warranty man. In other words you wont be coming back doing tech support crap for them for free. Same applies to calling you up for help. little things turn into big messes via phone support with other than power users/admins and its not worth it unless they make it worth it for you.

you know what for the most part they dont see the light...i had a friends family that wanted me to build them a system but they want a dell because and i quote "well, its a good name brand" i gave up selling systems to sell now i only do tech support stuff.