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Charging for tech support (lemmy.ca)

submitted 11 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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I really had no idea where on Lemmy to ask this, so apologies if this seems like a bit of a strange place to post.

I'm a computer guy, but "fixing computers" isn't usually my thing. However, I offered to migrate my veterinarian's accounting laptop to a new laptop she had bought. This involved getting an old version of Quickbooks running on Windows 11, a bit of back-and-forth with login details for various accounts. Generally though, it was straight forward.

This took me about 4 hours (more, really). The only other time I did contractor work like this I picked my rate based on what my mechanic was charging - $95/hour.

So my invoice, for my tiny-town vet, is going to be $380. Can I get input from anyone on whether that's high? The laptop itself probably only cost $500. Something that makes me feel a bit better about the number is that I've helped her out lots over the last couple of years and never billed her for it, despite her saying I should.

Thanks!

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[–] [email protected] 19 points 11 months ago

Trade in kind, ask for a free vet visit down the road.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 11 months ago

You have to price your labor at the value of the service. The cost of the laptop is irrelevant, as is the fact that you haven't charged in the past.

Your rate is reasonable for a one off business software migration to a new machine. I'd invoice for 2.5-3 hours since the labor most likely involved a lot of research and trial and error, with the idea that you will do more support for them in the future.

If there are no fix-it shops in your area, you could ask for a testimonial and use it as cred for doing more support. Don't lower your hourly rate, instead be more realistic with the total hours. You are going to get better with experience, charge the hours now so your customers have the right expectations.