Going Into Business As A PC Repairman

Overslop

Overslop

Overslop

Soldato
Joined
22 Oct 2005
Posts
4,013
Location
Thailand
Hey guys,

I'm shortly going to setup a business as a sole trader. My services will be repairing PCs, upgrading, setting up networks (something I need to brush up on!) etc.

Am aiming to be up and running by the end of the year. Just need to pass my driving test and complete a Comptia A+ course in the meantime.

I am guessing that there are quite a few people doing similar sorts of jobs at these forums. Was hoping I might be able to get some tips - anything could help really! :)
 
Use work sheets that clearly outline charges are for the work carried out/parts and does not cover continued support or parts.

Have the customer sign this on work completion.

Make perfectly clear costing before visiting site

Keep copies of up to date AV/Spyware Apps, Tools, Software Images etc on a Pen Drive with you. Preferably one which can write protect as plugging into unknown machines is a surefire way of picking up nasty things on it. If you want to be doubly safe and not accused of infecting someones machine, use optical media.

Go prepared for the worst, what sounds simple on the phone is often a nightmare and conversely what sounds complicated can be simple.

Common Spares:

NICs
Memory
HDD
Kettle, Patch and USB leads.

Bare Minimum Tools:

Full Driver Set
Torx bits
Allen Keys
Can of air

Software you should carry:

Bootable Environment, something like TRK or BartPE. Load it with every addon/plugin you might need. Imaging, memory testing, admin password reset tools etc etc
Common Windows/Office variants on bootable media.
Key Finding Software. Belarc Advisor gets loads, ProduKey gets all Windows Ones. No Key finder extracts office 2000, not that I have found :p People lose their CD-Keys all the time. If you are rebuilding, you want this first.
Stuff mentioned earlier above.

If you can carry a small TFT with you for diagnosing faults with monitors. Faulty monitor often throws a red herring and sends you looking at VGA cards/mainboards. Carry a router too, for the same reasons.
 
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Sin_Chase said:
Use work sheets that clearly outline charges are for the work carried out/parts and does not cover continued support or parts.

Have the customer sign this on work completion.

Make perfectly clear costing before visiting site

Keep copies of up to date AV/Spyware Apps, Tools, Software Images etc on a Pen Drive with you. Preferably one which can write protect as plugging into unknown machines is a surefire way of picking up nasty things on it. If you want to be doubly safe and not accused of infecting someones machine, use optical media.

Go prepared for the worst, what sounds simple on the phone is often a nightmare and conversely what sounds complicated can be simple.

Common Spares:

NICs
Memory
HDD
Kettle, Patch and USB leads.

Bare Minimum Tools:

Full Driver Set
Torx bits
Allen Keys
Can of air

Software you should carry:

Bootable Environment, something like TRK or BartPE. Load it with every addon/plugin you might need. Imaging, memory testing, admin password reset tools etc etc
Common Windows variants on bootable media.
Stuff mentioned above.

If you can carry a small TFT with you for diagnosing faults with monitors. Faulty monitor often throws a red herring and sends you looking at VGA cards/mainboards. Carry a router too, for the same reasons.
Click to expand...

great post!
 
My advise is just dont! It'll sap the fun out of pc's and life in general trying to explain to everyone what you are doing and why you arnt breaking it :(

But if your going to do this, make sure you outline that nothing can be solved over the phone or via email (unless its something really simple like whats the admin password that they might have forgotten), other wise your just going to become the free/generous pc whipping boy.
 
Good luck mate, im going to be dong the same thing, just passed my A+ and N+ a few months back, i went to college for it, though a good 80% of the time was reading the Mike Meyrs A+ "bible" as they liked to call it.

Waste of time going to college IMO

Read that book thoroughly and you will pass no problem :D
 
The problem is, its dead work now.

Most people. parents, brother, GF, friends just come to me...

Most people in a family will know someone who can fix computers.

And most people say, oh its broke, sod it, £300 laptop or PC from No competitors

Good luck though.
 
Go to uni instead. Get a degree in a sunbject you enjoy.

To many people are clued up on PC's now.

Fixing PC hardware is for losers. :p

My local barbers has got in on the act...

Instead of something for the weekend...You can get a format or upgrade on your memory!

ON the shelves is toner and blank DVD's instead of shampoo etc..
 
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I am a sole trader running my own PC Repairs Business.

I contacted the Princes' Trust and got accepted after writing a truly wonderful and extensive business plan. I was then given a grant of £950 (Postcode Catchment) even though where I live is in a really nice Greenbelt area (so worth a try) and I'm also paying back a loan for £2000 with 3 percent fixed interest for the duration of the loan - that's some loan...

So I basically got my financial prerequisites sorted from the outset.

I would thoroughly recommend you go to the Princes' Trust. To be totally honest though, I only did it for the money, the business mentor help is a neccessity and kinda annoying but in year one you only have to see him her once a month for half an hour... currently I'm in year 2 where it's once a quarter and I don't really mind now...

It's just for me I don't need any mentoring :p

Business Link's website is very helpful and resourceful, helps you to understand the taxes, NIC's and returns etc. you'll need to do..

Once you're started keep records of EVERYTHING (expenses like petrol, hardware for customers etc.)

You'll also need to keep a record of invoices and a cashbook of ingoings and outgoings.

Set up a business bank account to keep your finances easier to manage.

Never refuse a cup of tea (your customer might think you don't trust them, which won't be nice now will it? :p)

I just carry a metal briefcase around with me with my business cards, screwdrivers, CDs with various and uber elite comp software you've probably never heard of before!

There are also other things like SATA to USB Laptop HDD Converters and such which come in handy...

Memory sticks are a God send as everyone these days has USB ports. Carry a spare router with you, and get yourself a work's laptop for testing purposes, such as Internet Connection problems etc.

Things I did were Business Plan, Business Card, Flyers, Adverts in local Magazines... send the flyers to the places the mags cover and it will really make an impact...

I also got magnetic signs for my car with my business logo on. Great because when you go on hols etc. and don't want people in the carparks you're going knowing that your vehicle *may* contain PC stuff u can take the magnets off.

Think I have covered everything :)

You WILL need a house phone number though

I never trust anyone who just advertises a mobile number as you can't trust them as easily as someone with a landline (fixed address)....

Can't really think of much else, if I do I'll write more...

Oh, and if it works - it's one of the best jobs you can do. Choosing your own hours is awesome. I could never work for anyone else anymore, and not having to report to a grumpy old boss - oh how I don't miss those days... :D
 
To the people who say it's "dead work" and such... well I made £2,500 after tax in July... there are plenty of small businesses ran by people who are clueless about PCs and for that matter older people.

Granted many of my customers are 40+ but how many 40+ people are there out there? And the thing is, more and more people older people are joining in with the Internet Crowd these days, purchasing a computer and asking you to set it up as they know naff all about it... you've then, of course, got a customer for life as well, if you treat 'em right ;)
 
With regards to the setup of the sole-trading business, it is relatively easy.

I run a business online from home and the important thing, as smeone has already said, is to keep a record of everything, includng all outgoings and income. I just use a simple Excel spreadsheet - I, personally, wouldn't bother with the expense of a bookkeeper of an accountant (unless you want to swtich from soletrader to a private limited company by shares)

One mistake I made was a lack of marketing material (granted - I am a Uni student and so money was tight at the beginning!), so I suggest spending a bit of time and money getting your name out there - perhaps flyers and mail drops around your area and some business cards and a good website would be ideal - even if it ust advertises your services and phone number.

Good luck - my business is shutting down at the end of the year because I need to concentrate on my degree (which'll hopefully yield more $$$ in the long run!)

Most important thing is have fun! (Oh and give a discount hourly rate for students...;))

Matt.
 
smr said:
To the people who say it's "dead work" and such... well I made £2,500 after tax in July... there are plenty of small businesses ran by people who are clueless about PCs and for that matter older people.
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wow thats impressive, i couldnt live on a salary of £2,500 a year :D Do you work full time or is that profit?
 
pingwing said:
My advise is just dont! It'll sap the fun out of pc's and life in general trying to explain to everyone what you are doing and why you arnt breaking it :(
Click to expand...

This is annoying when I have to fix people's pcs that I know. They are clueless about them and when I am fixing the PCs they hover over my shoulder saying the occasional "Oh no, don't delete that I need it!!!oneone" or "What are you doing here?"
 
Brilliant advice from Sin_Chase.

Sin_Chase said:
Key Finding Software. Belarc Advisor gets loads, ProduKey gets all Windows Ones. No Key finder extracts office 2000, not that I have found :p People lose their CD-Keys all the time.
Click to expand...
Pretty sure Jellybean Keyfinder used to get Office 2000:

http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/

Some AV programs flag keyfinders as malware/spyware. Jellybean keyfinder is not malware but it gets flagged by Mcafee, been using it for about 5 years with no problems.
 
Sash said:
This is annoying when I have to fix people's pcs that I know. They are clueless about them and when I am fixing the PCs they hover over my shoulder saying the occasional "Oh no, don't delete that I need it!!!oneone" or "What are you doing here?"
Click to expand...

I just tell them to shut up.
 
Get a professional looking website up and don't put random crap on it like "NO FIX NO FEE". Also charge a reasonable amount. There are a lot of £20/hr 'companies', but you should be able to get double if not more than that if you're good.
 
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