How much to charge to build computers
- Thread starter the shadow
- Start date
I agree. I should start charging to be honest.
The worst bit is the "after support" when you're called back to find a 500Gb drive full of pr0n, spyware and complete crap. I don't do support anymore.
Soldato
- Joined
- 10 Oct 2005
- Posts
- 8,706
- Location
- Nottingham
Friends and family don't get charged for new machines as long as I've checked the spec before its been ordered, (although I do normally get paid in food or beer). They get support on a reasonable endeavors basis which normally again involves them buying me food afterwards 
Last machine I built for one of my best friends was good, she wanted it for her son and when she came to pick it up her husband gave me a crate of beer which was completely unexpected.
I refuse now to do support or build machines for friends of friends or other people as it's to much hassle and just not worth the problems.
Last machine I built for one of my best friends was good, she wanted it for her son and when she came to pick it up her husband gave me a crate of beer which was completely unexpected.
I refuse now to do support or build machines for friends of friends or other people as it's to much hassle and just not worth the problems.
Close friends and family i dont charge but anyone else its a flat fee of £50. This is for either building or fixing a pc and includes all labor costs right upto handing it back to them. This sorts the wheat from the chaff usually, anyone who is argueing about 20quid here and there isnt the sort of person i want calling me every week with another problem they have caused.
Quite frankly compared to the purple shirt brigade what i offer for 15quid less is ten times better.
Do not let yourself get into the habit of doing dead cheap work for friends of friends, word gets round and before you know it everyone wants stuff doing for cheaper and cheaper each time. You feel in a bad position because friend A knows you did a job for friend B and charged less etc etc.
Also be prepared to spot troublemakers, the type who will call you up at any and all blue screens 6 months down the line and assume you are their bonded slave because you charged them 20quid to reinstall windows.
Quite frankly compared to the purple shirt brigade what i offer for 15quid less is ten times better.
Do not let yourself get into the habit of doing dead cheap work for friends of friends, word gets round and before you know it everyone wants stuff doing for cheaper and cheaper each time. You feel in a bad position because friend A knows you did a job for friend B and charged less etc etc.
Also be prepared to spot troublemakers, the type who will call you up at any and all blue screens 6 months down the line and assume you are their bonded slave because you charged them 20quid to reinstall windows.
Free, mainly as it gives me a chance to see how new hardware goes together before i buy it my self.... (made a c2d system for a friend in 6th from last year when my experence was still with my 939 setup). But yeah the experence and a pint or 2 is usually good enough payment, and the old pc its repaced 
(i have a collection of p2's and athlon xp's)
(i have a collection of p2's and athlon xp's)Some good posts in this thread.
If it's a business you can't afford to make it like your the local chap that can always pop round and have a look for free.
Nice business people usually go bust!
I get given PCs to look at, and it can take hours to remove all the crap that has accumulated, and they generally have bought cheap so don't have windows disc's etc etc.
I would be inclined to set a fixed fee as it's no harder putting together a system with high end parts (unless its mega raid I guess) than it is a cheap box.
Makes it seem that people who want high end builds have money to throw away.
If it's a business you can't afford to make it like your the local chap that can always pop round and have a look for free.
Nice business people usually go bust!
I get given PCs to look at, and it can take hours to remove all the crap that has accumulated, and they generally have bought cheap so don't have windows disc's etc etc.
I would be inclined to set a fixed fee as it's no harder putting together a system with high end parts (unless its mega raid I guess) than it is a cheap box.
Makes it seem that people who want high end builds have money to throw away.