How much should I charge?

[pacmania_2001]

As some of you know I've just moved into an apartment and downstairs we have a noticeboard where you can post things like notices and advertisements.

Being the constant schemer and always looking for a way to earn some money for the drinking fund I decided I would advertise my computer/internet services on the board.

Here's the list I've come up with so far:

1. Buying/Selling items on Ebay (yes I know, its dead easy but the building is full of old people)
2. Virus/Trojan/Spyware/Adware Removal
3. Website Design
4. Software Installation
5. Hardware Installation
6. Multimedia Presentations (Director/Flash/Powerpoint etc)
7. CD / DVD Duplication

Can anyone else think up anything similar I can advertise on that list and also what should I charge for this sort of thing?

[Capmaster]

Don't forget the occasional OT-style photochop involving building tenants with each other, and with members of the animal kingdom ...anonymously

[pacmania_2001]

Thats my other business, Revenge for Hire.

[tekkieman]

Get a wireless router, and sell off bandwidth.

[jimmalenko]

You've got to make a choice regarding certain items and whether you wish to charge by time, or a flat fee for the job regardless of the time spent. Each has their own pros and cons, so you need to keep this in mind when deciding which way you're gonna go.

[pacmania_2001]

Get a wireless router, and sell off bandwidth.

Good idea, hard to do in the real world though with the setup of ISP's in Australia.

[pacmania_2001]

You've got to make a choice regarding certain items and whether you wish to charge by time, or a flat fee for the job regardless of the time spent. Each has their own pros and cons, so you need to keep this in mind when deciding which way you're gonna go.

Thats what I was pondering as well. I think "by the hour" is probably the best option because I don't want to quote some small amount for a supposedly simple problem that snowballs into a shitstorm.

[jimmalenko]

You've got to make a choice regarding certain items and whether you wish to charge by time, or a flat fee for the job regardless of the time spent. Each has their own pros and cons, so you need to keep this in mind when deciding which way you're gonna go.

Thats what I was pondering as well. I think "by the hour" is probably the best option because I don't want to quote some small amount for a supposedly simple problem that snowballs into a shitstorm.

Then there's the other side of the coin - what if a job takes you about 35 seconds (say virus removal for argument's sake), are you going to charge them 80 cents to do it ?

[offline]

Just say Computer Nerd (or geek) for hire
and make a price up on the spot depending
on what they ask for and how rich they are.


Service Charges AUS.

corp IT rate: (includes call out) $210 for 1st 2.5 hours, 55 p/h, B2B included

small/medium business: $35 p/h flat (CO & B2B not inluded)

soho : $45 + hardware/software per solution (no time charge/B2B & CO included)

[pacmania_2001]

I was thinking of charging say AUS$15-$20 an hour with that being the minimum i.e if it takes 5 minutes to remove a virus it still costs them $15.

[pacmania_2001]

This is the ad I designed.

[pacmania_2001]

Service Charges AUS.

corp IT rate: (includes call out) $210 for 1st 2.5 hours, 55 p/h, B2B included

small/medium business: $35 p/h flat (CO & B2B not inluded)

soho : $45 + hardware/software per solution (no time charge/B2B & CO included)

So you think say $45 flat rate?

[Cobra]

That keyboard appears to be bent.

What do other people charge around where you are?

[offline]

Sure, the flat rate says two things.

A flat rate

1) marks you as a professional
2) marks you as affordable

People dread not knowing how much things
will cost. On simple jobs (ie: a stuck floppy) you
can tune up their pc, etc. On complex jobs
you can recover on the hardware or simply
say you have to quote them.

I'd also get a non IT friend (parents perhaps?)
to design your ad.

[snafu099]

Give this some thought.

Most old people live on a very tight budget, are techno handicaped, shy of being ripped off.

If you really injoy what you do and this is done at "your" convience, why not offer service at the lowest rate or even free.

Not necessary for all, pollible sliding scale based on ability to pay.
We are talking about a "cash" sidline.

Sometimes being a nice guy can open doors that your would not expect.
While I am simi-computer literate and not a "nerd" most of my assistance is done free. For those that I think can afford something or are just to lazy to do it themselves I charge a very nominal fee

Free or very nominal help to non-profits, senior centers, group homes and the like can payback some very big down the road in currancy other than money.

[pacmania_2001]

What do other people charge around where you are?

Others charge around $60 for the first hour, $35-$45 every hour after.

I'd also get a non IT friend (parents perhaps?) to design your ad.

Too much jargon?

Most old people live on a very tight budget, are techno handicaped, shy of being ripped off.

The old people in this place aren't shy of money I can tell you that. I'm thinking of going with Offline's suggestion and charging a $45 flat fee. It's still much cheaper than anyone in the area.

[offline]

Pac, I like your advert but I'm not the target audience
am I ?

[makntraks]

As some of you know I've just moved into an apartment and downstairs we have a noticeboard where you can post things like notices and advertisements.

Being the constant schemer and always looking for a way to earn some money for the drinking fund I decided I would advertise my computer/internet services on the board.

Here's the list I've come up with so far:

1. Buying/Selling items on Ebay (yes I know, its dead easy but the building is full of old people)
2. In the NUDE Virus/Trojan/Spyware/Adware Removal
3. In the NUDE Website Design
4. In the NUDE Software Installation
5. In the NUDE Hardware Installation
6. In the NUDE Multimedia Presentations Director/Flash/Powerpoint etc)
7. In the NUDE CD / DVD Duplication

Can anyone else think up anything similar I can advertise on that list and also what should I charge for this sort of thing?

There ya' go! Now you can charge even more....

makntraks

[Cobra]

Are you trying to tell us something?

(just joking!)

[makntraks]

Are you trying to tell us something?

(just joking!)

I'm not the one looking to make extra $$$...

makntraks

[offline]

Nude models here in Oz get $15 per hour I think.

[Dr. DOS]

Old people and the term "Virus/Trojan/Spyware/Adware Removal " will have them very, very confused.

[Doramius]

Rape them for all the money you can. See if you can get some of the richer ones to will their estates over to you as well. Then create your own back door virus program that does nothing but annoy people, and you come in on your horse and save the day charging them for their social security & retirement benefits. You could make a fortune.

Or you could always be nice and help them out for $20 a shot, but there's no money in that. J/K

You can also state you can do transfers of movies and picture albums to DVD. I know someone nearby that charges $35-45, plus the cost of media & materials, to transfer VHS to DVD of weddings, anniversaries, or any special occasion. He'll make as many copies as people want. If they want cases and special covers made, he'll do it all.

[tekkieman]

...<snip> I know someone nearby that charges $35-45, plus the cost of media & materials, to transfer VHS to DVD of weddings, anniversaries, or any special occasion. He'll make as many copies as people want. If they want cases and special covers made, he'll do it all.

Yeah, he was in the newbie forum yesterday asking how to transfer VHS to DVD.

[Doramius]

He probably uses Pinnacle's software too.

[jimmalenko]

Yeah, he was in the newbie forum yesterday asking how to transfer VHS to DVD.

Tomorrow he'll be in the media forum, looking for media that "plays on all players", or asking "so, is + or - better?"

[Doramius]

"My Princo DVD-RAM Discs don't work in my burner."
"What's the format your burner uses?"
"DVD"
"No, Is it +, -, or RAM."
"It's a DVD ROM burner."
"but does it say which type of discs it burns?"
"It shows a + symbol."
"You can't use the DVD-RAM discs with that burner."
"Do I need a special software for them?"
"No, you're burner does not have the ability to burn DVD-RAM discs."
"What if I use DVD+R discs?"
"Those should work."
"How would I go about returning the 100pk DVD-RAM discs?"

[stiltman]

[sacajaweeda]

IBTL!

[Cobra]

It won't be locked sacajaweeda. Don't go posting pointlessly.