What do you charge friends, family, coworkers for repairs? I always have a tough time charging people money for repair. Lately I’ve been charging like $20 but it seems like to little. What’s a fair price? My fiancee’s aunt will pay me in a 24pack of beer no matter how major or minor the work…So I know she appreciates it.
It’s free if I’m close with the person, it’s half what it would cost them at a shop if I’m not.
Same here unless it is a crazy quote such as a BMW dealer quoting $1900 for a new water pump/t-stat/housing etc. on an E36 but I charged much less.
He’s talking computer repairs…
I don’t charge. I don’t want to be liable for someone else’s shit.
OH. Didn’t see the forum, lol.
Balls,
I totally mutated my HP laptop one Saturday to keep it from overheating. I would probably have to charge at least a little for that as it took about 3 hours. I’ve never been much of a computer guy, but have helped people make invitations and resumes though I never charged.
I don’t charge anything because I don’t want any liability beyond just helping out.
Unless it’s someone really close I tell them I write code but know next to nothing about actually fixing computers because we have people at work that do that for us.
Last thing I want to do is be known as “that guy who can fix computers”.
$0.00 Cash only
I am forwarding all future request on to you guys…THANKS!
Depends on the situation but for something like a new hdd, reformat, AV, clear bloatware, and optimize I charge $50, and I’ll guarantee it for a couple months. That’s with a new decent hdd though like a caviar black or a re drive, say someone wants me tp put in some random used hdd I’ll not guarantee it for more than a month.
Laptop screens usually the same. Even though it doesn’t take very long to change a screen, the chance of fucking up the bezel is there and I’d be out the $50 if that happened.
Simple shit like ram upgrades I don’t charge.
I keep trying to explain to people that my being a programmer does not mean I can fix a printer. It’s a hard concept to get across: “well you’re good with computers, right?”
It is impossible to explain and even if they get it, they don’t care. I’m not smart enough to care but they usually get me Timmy ho giftcards or they can return the favor some other way.
$0
If it was somebody I didn’t know then maybe, but I’ve never charged friends or family. I’d rather help them out then see them blow their money at Best Buy or another repair place.
In the event it was someone I didn’t know it depends on what the job would be.
YES…it’s the last thing you guys want to be know as. TRUST ME!!!
Don’t ask how I know this as fact. 8/
$50 an hour for me generally speaking. The longer the job the rate does go down some.
If it’s an easy fix I don’t rip people off of course. I can’t bring myself to charge someone to press F2 and re-enable their wifi as a recent example. LMAO
Family…UGGGG Free. 8(
I charge depending on the person and job. If you are good at what you do as a “trade” and considered an “expert” then you are just cheating yourself if your not getting compensated. Do you think a good electrician does work for free?
Yep. Someone told me a story about a garage door repair. The pro arrived and fixed the door in about 15 minutes but billed for the hour as it’s an hour minimum. He was questioned how he was charging for an hour when it only took 15 minutes. He replied it took him xx number of years to gain the knowledge to fix the issue.
Time is money…this we all know. I’ve been dealing with computer repairs for 14+ years now and while some of the older lessons are now useless, alot are quite valuable. Not to mention with computers you HAVE TO invest time in keeping current and with the trends.
I agree too. I charge depending on job, but family and friends are always free. Not charging for work done makes it look like I don’t value what I do, then that brings in the freeloaders. 
Lame
I never ask for anything. Being “the guy that fixes computers” has landed me a stack of random gift cards from the office ladies at work though.
x2