Starting a small computer repair business

wildest_jjk

wildest_jjk

wildest_jjk

Soldato
Joined
6 Jun 2011
Posts
2,741
Hey guys,

I am currently at university and want to start up a small business on the side. Something I am considering was carrying out computer repairs for people in the local area. I don't have a massive amount of hands on experience but I think I could handle most problems. I was also thinking of offering something like a no fix, no fee policy. I can advertise through various methods such as the local paper, website and flyers in houses. But I just wanted peoples thoughts on this? Is it possible?

Thanks :)
 
Last edited:
What's your competition?
What's your hourly or job rate?
What's your call out fee?
Why should I trust you?
Do you have insurance?
Do you have an Accountant?

Few things to think about.
 
Might as well try man, do you live on university campus? That may put outsiders off. If you live in a university dorm it would personally put me off. But then again a cheap fix service for all the university students seems like a good idea. The amount of laptops/computers people have that require fixing at uni seems like a good place to start.

Also mention experience as much as you can, no one likes someone who doesn't know what thery're doing. And the no fix no fee seems like a good way to go.
 
Thanks everybody for the reponses. This is a fairly new idea so I haven't done research yet its just something I am considering doing.

[FnG]magnolia;21349803 said:
What's your competition?
What's your hourly or job rate?
What's your call out fee?
Why should I trust you?
Do you have insurance?
Do you have an Accountant?

Few things to think about.
Click to expand...

Not sure about competition without looking into it. A lot of people I know and friends of friends tend to go to the main PC retailer and pay their ridiculous prices. Hourly/job rate I would definitely need to look at market rates, but I want to be cheaper than everybody as I don't have the experience as some people do. Call out fee would hopefully be nothing, a way of attracting customers. Trust me because I am genuine :D No and no.

Definitely some helpful questions to think about though. Thanks!

RomanNose said:
Do you like cockroaches?
Click to expand...

Huh?

HecFam said:
Might as well try man, do you live on university campus? That may put outsiders off. If you live in a university dorm it would personally put me off. But then again a cheap fix service for all the university students seems like a good idea. The amount of laptops/computers people have that require fixing at uni seems like a good place to start.

Also mention experience as much as you can, no one likes someone who doesn't know what thery're doing. And the no fix no fee seems like a good way to go.
Click to expand...

That's the attitude I have, its worth trying I think. No I don't luckily! I live at home :) Probably should have said that at the beginning though.

Yer I would definitely have to show that I have the ability to carry out the repairs.

Thanks :)
 
Last edited:
It might be worth getting a few testimonials from people you've helped out in the past (friends/family), and they could always help you find a few customers at the start.
 
RomanNose said:
http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18378272
How did you not see it?
Click to expand...

Lol makes sense now. Sounds delightful!

Gackt said:
It might be worth getting a few testimonials from people you've helped out in the past (friends/family), and they could always help you find a few customers at the start.
Click to expand...

That sounds like a nice idea, would give people reassurance.

arctine said:
I wouldn't trust a university student with no experience to fix anything without seeing some sort of qualification tbh.
Click to expand...

They wouldn't know I am a university student necessarily. I have qualifications but not necessarily for the right stuff =/

Thanks :)
 
[FnG]magnolia;21349955 said:
If you have neither experience nor insurance then you really ought to consider the message you're sending potential customers.
Click to expand...

Thats a good point. But I can get insurance can't I? Just said I don't now because I haven't started.

Cheers.
 
Yes, you can get it but it's a cost.

The experience part will be much harder to address. Can you start with mates PCs or friends and family and work from there? How inexperienced are you? (I should add that I have never done PC repair so these are just observations from the sideline, if you will).
 
if you dont have too much hands on experiance, i would suggest maybe trying to get a job at a small PC repair place first, it may give you an idea on what to expect and whether or not you want to proceed with the idea.
 
[FnG]magnolia;21349977 said:
Yes, you can get it but it's a cost.

The experience part will be much harder to address. Can you start with mates PCs or friends and family and work from there? How inexperienced are you? (I should add that I have never done PC repair so these are just observations from the sideline, if you will).
Click to expand...

Well if it would be worth it I can get insurance. It might be best to start with only people I know, thats why I wanted peoples ideas. I help close friends out all the time, and always tinker about with different things. Did a BTEC in systems and currently a degree in network computing.

s452 said:
if you dont have too much hands on experiance, i would suggest maybe trying to get a job at a small PC repair place first, it may give you an idea on what to expect and whether or not you want to proceed with the idea.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the response but that isn't really an option. This isn't going to be a full time thing, its something to have on the side during all my free time. I see where your coming from though.

Thanks guys.
 
Go for it mate. Iv been thinking of setting up shop for years, but iv left it too late in my area as theres loads of people either opening shops or advertising. :(

So go for it while oyu have the chance.
 
There are a few guys who post here who do this for a living so hopefully they'll add their comments.

I've been thinking about the insurance thing and maybe I'm wrong on it. I suppose it's possible that there are people doing repairs without any insurance but it seems unlikely to me. Then again, I don't work in the field so hopefully someone can clarify.

I'll stop talking about insurance now :)
 
wildest_jjk said:
Thanks for the response but that isn't really an option. This isn't going to be a full time thing, its something to have on the side during all my free time. I see where your coming from though.

Thanks guys.
Click to expand...

Why not?

If you can't work full time hours then just get a part time job?
 
Again thanks for everybodys responses. Nice to get peoples opinions. I can't work full time as I am at university at the moment. I would like this whole idea to be something that I can do in free time and evenings really. Don't know if that makes it impractical or not?
 
the work does not have to be full time, maybe just a day or two per week. the idea is to get yourself into the market and have some viable creditcials as someone who can do computer repairs. saying to someone "i used to do computer repairs at X PC shop" is better than saying "I learnt how to repair computers by playing about" although most of us learnt by playing about with them, but to joe public, the fact you worked somewhere doing something similar is more appealing.

as for the statement that you don't have much free time, be careful as you could end up with people rushing for their computers to be fixed while at the same time you have commitments to your uni course as well.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom