Need Advice: Hiring network technician

[thodyconsulting]

Can anyone tell me what I might expect to pay to have a network technician on a monthly retainer? Basically, just to come in when stuff goes wrong, and for basic hardware/software upgrades.

I'm totally clueless and don't want to get run over, so any help would be much appreciated.

Cheers

[M_Six]

I do this for small businesses. I charge $65/hr. You may find someone to do it for less, though. I do everything from installing, configuring, and maintaining a LAN, to server setup, to desktop maintenance, to website design and hosting, to email. But if you're just looking for someone to do desktop stuff, maybe $25/hr.

I don't know about a monthly retainer. I've thought about charging a monthly fee that gives the client X number of hours, but it always seems that one side or the other feels taken. I think you're better off finding someone who will be available, but only charge you by the hour.

[SoltoN]

Also depends on what type of network your running, if its a small office ( 2- 10 computers) and all that you want is them all to be networked together, you'd probly be looking $25-30/hr to set up and maintain ( not a whole lot can go wrong with a small network once it all up and running). If its a bigger workplace, (20 computers and up) and you want full tech support as well as on call tech, I'd charge about $70-80/hr with a 4 hr response time (obviosly in the same city). what kind of software are you running? do you want more than internet / printer sharing? what are your needs and maybe we could help you out some more.