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Old 10-13-2005, 10:32 PM   #10 (permalink)
Deja-vue
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Long Beach, California
Posts: 71
OS: Server2003/2008/XP/VISTA/Linux

My System

ok, got some time now.

I was just wondering how you Guys can survive on Flat-rates like $50.00 or less.
Or are you just kids trying to make a couple of bucks after School?
(no offense please)

Let me tell you how much i charge in my Area (Long Beach, California)

Single Home-User $45.00/hour (i try to avoid them, but hey...)

Small Business, home or Office based, 3 or more, up to 7 computers $85.00/hour

Larger Business, starting at 13 + computers, Servers, Routers, Networks, VPN's, Active Directory and the like $125.00/hour.

I charge for a complete Win2000/XP re-install about $140.00, then $125.00 for Virus-removal (depends on the severity) and about $100.00 for Spyware-removal.

Mind you i do this full Time, i pay Taxes, Insurance, and more expenses. My Cell-phone bill alone is about $180.00 per month and i use it for Business only.
My Gasoline bill is $220.00 a month and my Car makes good Gas-mileage.

$40.00 for on-site repairs? I won't even show up.
For a small Business i charge $85.00/hr minimum, if i fix the problem in the first 5 minutes or if it takes me a bit longer.
It will cost the Business more ( a lot more) if they cannot continue using their systems, and they are willing to pay for it.
Don't get me wrong, i charge nothing on the first visit at a new customer.I give them a good idea about their Network and tell them how things can be improved. Just yesterday i visited a Construction-company and talked to them about 45 minutes. Got me a $3900.00 Job and monthly support.
(the average small Business spends about $300.00 to $7000.00 with me in their first year)
After that, i hardly see them again because my Systems are a bit more expensive than others, but they run 24/7 without glitches.

Some other Charges, to give you an idea:

File-recovery off crashed or formatted Hard drive: $65.00/gigabyte
Password-reset (hey, i forgot the Admin-password!) $125.00
Cable-runs, Cat 5e, behind walls, etc $125.00/drop

and so on....
Not to put anyone down here, but it is a tough competition around here in CA and i just wanted to get you guys some in-sight on what we charge around LA. I am not really the most expensive out here and i haven't raised my Rates in 3 years.
Talk to you guys/gals some more later.
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