Geek Speak… The Service Spiral (Quality vs. Price)
Issue 23.09
I have had a number of people tell me I should move to Las Vegas. It is true that on-site technicians like myself make from $80-$150 per hour and there is a lot of work there, but I live here because I love the area and the people. So, even though I work for less, I am staying.
As a disclaimer, I will tell you that I charge $20 per half hour plus travel time for basic computer service – more for special situations. How much is a fair price for service and repair work? As noted above, it depends a little on where you live and a lot on the quality of the service. The work I do for national warranty contracts (companies like Dell, HP, Samsung, Polaroid, etc.) usually goes from $50-$100 per hour plus travel expenses. That is a fairly common amount as I talk with other qualified technicians in the area. For non-warranty work, (businesses and residence visits) the charge can vary anywhere from free to $150 per hour or $250 per visit (depending on what level of expertise is required). Parts that are not covered by a warranty also add to the cost.
Such a large range of costs is confusing to most computer owners. At the low end is the neighborhood kid that seems to know a lot about computers. They are often a good resource for learning how to do certain things with your computer such as installing and running programs you have purchased. The drawback is that they often try to do things they don’t know how to do and can cause problems with your system.
The next step up would be Beginning Techs. They are usually fairly inexpensive (in the $15 to $25 per hour range) and have some skills but limited experience. I don’t fault them for their approach. Everyone has to start somewhere and I was a beginner 28 years ago. Just ask a lot of questions and satisfy yourself that they actually know what they are doing.
Finally, we have Professional Technicians. Most charge $40-$60 per hour. Highly experienced network engineers command up to $150 per hour locally and techs with certifications from companies like Dell, HP, Microsoft, etc. can also charge more because they have documented proof of training.
A final warning: Be careful. I have seen many computer companies and service people come into an area, sell a bunch of cheap components or low quality service and then leave suddenly after 18-24 months. Make sure that whoever you trust your information and investment to is stable in the community and has a good reputation. You may also want to check if they have completed background and drug testing.
As always, keep backups of anything important. Stay safe and happy computing.
Shaun McCausland has been in the computer industry for 27 years (locally with Musicomp & Bits ‘N’ Bytes) and currently does in-home and on-site computer consultation, service, training and repair. If you have questions, you can reach him at 668-7118.
