Rates for upgrading laptop HD, RAM, CD-R?

[DaveC]

A client has asked me to bid on upgrading his 400 MHz Titanium PowerBook.
I've done this on my PB, so it's do-able.

I need an idea of what's reasonable to charge for these services. If I
charged hourly, I'm afraid I'd price myself out of the market.

Thanks,

 

[John Johnson]

A client has asked me to bid on upgrading his 400 MHz Titanium PowerBook.
I've done this on my PB, so it's do-able.

I need an idea of what's reasonable to charge for these services. If I
charged hourly, I'm afraid I'd price myself out of the market.

Thanks,

You really need to know the rates in your area, as prices vary widely.

 

[DaveC]

You really need to know the rates in your area, as prices vary widely.

Fair enough.

Maybe I should restate the question: How much do you charge for each task and
how much is the hourly rate in your area? This way I can get an idea of (and
use as a model for myself) how you place your services in your particular
market.

Thanks,

 

[Mike Rosenberg]

Maybe I should restate the question: How much do you charge for each task
and how much is the hourly rate in your area? This way I can get an idea
of (and use as a model for myself) how you place your services in your
particular market.

I don't feel comfortable discussing money matters in a public forum, but
I can tell you that I charge one hourly rate for anything I do. Flat
rates, in my opinion, are dangerous, because if any complications arise
and the task takes much longer than usual, you're screwed. Either that
or you have to make the flat rate high enough to account for such
possibilities and that may lose business for you.

Feel free to contact me privately to discuss actual dollar amounts.

 

[John Johnson]

Fair enough.

Maybe I should restate the question: How much do you charge for each task and
how much is the hourly rate in your area? This way I can get an idea of (and
use as a model for myself) how you place your services in your particular
market.

Thanks,

Well, I charge my friends $20/hour. I haven't done any work for people
who weren't friends yet, so I don't know my "unfriendly" rate. That rate
comes with effectively unlimited phone and e-mail support afterwards, so
they actually get a better deal that it sounds like.

Now then, I don't do computer work for profit, or even a significant
source of income; I'm a graduate student, and have other things to do
with my time. My rate will go up when I'm busy, as a disincentive. I
don't know the shop rates around here, and I don't really care whether
someone else can under-price me or not.

FWIW