How much should I charge customers?

[DocDorow]

I have computer service certifications from CompTIA &<br>Brainbench and a M.O.U.S. cert. in Word 97. I would <br>like to charge a fair and reasonable hourly charge to<br>customers when servicing their systems. I am presently<br>alone in this endeaver and want to be competitive.<br>If anyone can help me, please respond!

 

[MasterRacker]

Try to find out what others in your area are charging for the types of work you will be doing.&nbsp;&nbsp;Since you are just starting out and have no idea to begin with how your service level will compare with your competitions, undercut them a bit and see how well that works. <p> Jeff<br><a href=mailto: masterracker@hotmail.com> masterracker@hotmail.com</a><br><a href= > </a><br> Of all the things I've lost in life, I miss my mind the most ...

 

[DocDorow]

I am aware that I could spend countless hours on<br>the phone to hundreds of businesses getting their<br>hourly quotes. What I am looking for is compilations<br>of standard hourly rates similar to what is available<br>in the auto repair industry, where rates for auto-body,<br>mechanical services are listed in a data-base available<br>to everyone. Is this industry too new for that type of<br>information? <br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Gary

 

[Zelandakh]

It is not too new, it is just too varied.<br><br>It depends on EXACTLY what skills are required at the time, how short the supply of people is, and how desperate they are to employ someone...<br><br>Also, there are regional variations.<br><br>If you are looking purely at home computer troubleshooting, look in your local paper and see what people are charging - they will be similarly undercutting the big pros. Charge similarly and see what happens. If you are not looking for repeat business, you can always change your charges as you get into the market.

 

[oldtreker1]

As was stated it does vary from one location to the next. You could ask some people<br>you know as to what they paid the last time they needed service. I would think<br>someone has created that database you are looking for. I know that there are ones<br>that will tell you what a certain IS skill is worth to a company. I used one<br>of these when I looked for work in L.A. <br>Greg<br>Live long and prosper, or at least break even.

 

[pivan]

Check out

http://www.dice.com

They have done a survey of hourly rates for contract and salried postions. This might be a starting point. In not now, when?
If not here, where?
If not us, who?

Just do it!!