I flat rate home computer repair. A tune up is $85 and a fresh install is $100. I spend 10 to 15 minutes trying to figure out if I can guarantee to clean the machine of $trouble. If I decide I have to re-install, I use a BartPE disc to move the entire contents of the C: drive to a temp folder called "c:\old", then use the appropriate media which I have current patches slipstreamed, and answer files for most of the setup questions pre-answered along with a few very subtle tweaks to make things go faster. Then I move the personal files back over to the new locations. I don't delete stuff. I leave the "old" folder on their desktop and tell them to delete it when they think they have everything they need in the new install.
As for the 5 minute fix you're guilty of charging for, I rarely see a computer that isn't in need of at least a good performance tune. Disable unnecessary/rouge startup items and services, schedule a monthly defrag (if XP), check swap file settings, rouge toolbars, IE temp storage settings, BIOS/drivers up to date, check drives are running at DMA speeds, a run through the event log, blowing the dust out of the CPU heat sink, having the computer turned on when they arrive to pick it up so they SEE IT RUNNING. They get to ask you a couple questions, you make them feel warm and fuzzy and happy to pay you. Did I mention they pick it up? And they drop it off too. ;) Be honest about your work. I have at times done the quick fix and told people to come back when they had a real problem, but it's rare. -- Mike Gill From: John Aldrich [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Monday, November 09, 2009 12:24 PM To: NT System Admin Issues Subject: RE: OT: Side work Thanks. I'll probably go cheaper than that, probably estimate 2 hours @$25/hour for cleaning malware. Also, blow the inevitable dust bunnies out of the case, etc. J John-AldrichTile-Tools From: Roger Wright [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Monday, November 09, 2009 2:45 PM To: NT System Admin Issues Subject: Re: OT: Side work I do side work for friends of friends, business staff, etc. I do charge a fair rate but have not had anyone sign a waiver as of yet. It's probably something I should consider, though, especially if I provide an estimate. Most of what I've done is malware-related and I usually tell them up front their data and operating system is already in jeopardy. I generally charge $100-125 to put a machine back into a working state, but without a guarantee that I can save all the data. Roger Wright ___ Sent from Tampa, FL, United States On Mon, Nov 9, 2009 at 2:17 PM, John Aldrich <[email protected]> wrote: Anyone here do any side work as a PC Tech? I'm looking at doing some side work to bring in a bit of extra money during tight economic times. I'm curious whether you have customers sign any sort of release of liability for the equipment? I'm just trying to keep from losing money on this by getting sued if I take in a piece of hardware and it ends up that it's unrepairable or gets damaged worse in my custody. John-AldrichTile-Tools No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.425 / Virus Database: 270.14.56/2491 - Release Date: 11/09/09 12:11:00 ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ <http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/> ~
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