Request opinion: should i start charging?

[MSIC]

Like many of us, i get asked by friends, family etc to repair/sort/build/look at a PC that is not working for some reason and 'just fix it'.
I don't work in IT but do have a full time job.

My question is this:
Given that friends of friends, colleagues etc are now asking for help also, should i begin charging for my time?

I do NOT want to turn this into a legit business, but want some sort of balance of helping people out vs being taken advantage of.
I also recognise that I have no formal qualifications in the field, so a) i wouldnt charge the same as a legit person and b) don't want to steal work from proper qualified people who do deserve the trade.

What do people think? Should i charge by the hour, or by the job?
Typical tasks might be replacing a hard drive and/or re-installing windows etc.

[b0redom]

Charge per hour or part thereof. Depends on if you want to actually do the work or not. If you get suckered into charging by the job, what happens if 'It's just broken' turns into a new HDD, reinstall of windows, recovery of old files etc....

If the shoe was on the other foot, and you had a friend of a friend who was a mechanic, would you expect them to look at your car for free?

[mikerr]

Bear in mind they are probably asking you *because* you are not charging.

Its amazing how often you are rung up at odd hours,
and can work for hours without being offered any money etc.

Charge once, and they'll never ask again (or only when they really need it).
Personally I think that's better, but some people like being the handy friend...

[burble]

Yes, definately. I tell people who ask (bar my family and close friends) that I'll help for £50/hour.

I don't do it because I need the money, but because I don't want to be working when I'm not at work. So far not a single person has taken me up on my kind offer.

[pollaxe]

I'm forever helping people with techie stuff and I don't charge because that way I feel if I don't have enough time to do a follow up on it or if there's something seriously wrong thereafter then I'm not liable in any legal way.. morally of course I do feel obligated.

I once received a bottle of Jack Daniel's for fixing someone's laptop but that's about all I've ever had.

[peterb]

Once you accept money, you are entering into a contractural obligation - so you might need to speicify that it is a 'best endeavours' effort - but I suspect that the requests will drop off once you mention a charge!

[MSIC]

Originally Posted by peterb

Once you accept money, you are entering into a contractural obligation - so you might need to speicify that it is a 'best endeavours' effort - but I suspect that the requests will drop off once you mention a charge!

Good point. I suppose that i won't accept any cash until the job is finished, as if i can't fix it (which given no formal training i might not) i can just return it, no charge or something.

[sjbuck]

Good question, I used to get pestered for years, usually I just got a few tinnies or a bottle of wine (which was nice). It's OK if it's a 20 minute job, but you can be messing with it for hours. Best bet is as people have said, charge an hourly fee, best endeavour fix etc... if they don't like it they can try PCWorld etc..!

[Betty_Swallocks]

Alternatively, if you feel uncomfortable about asking friends for money, tell them that you'll do it when you get some free time. Then make sure that free time is in about a months time. It's amazing how the requests drop off after their PC has been under your dining table for several weeks.

[neologan]

sounds like it's starting to get a bit a annoying for you. It might just be worth declining to help instead of bringing up money, unless it somehow appeals to you.

I'd probably just mention that far too many people are requesting help over the months and it's cutting into your free time. Unless the other person is an ass they should understand.

[voxstream]

I get the same problem, although it's not really a problem for me. I actually enjoy fixing computers and I found the "barter" system works very well. I get my car serviced/repaired and only pay for the parts. (At trade prices) A new hand made front door and frame including fitting at cost, loads of help with repairing and decorating the house etc. Bottles of various kinds of booze that I can't drink, more's the pity.

So, all in all it works fine for me, perhaps I'm just lucky as I can always call on someone if I need some help.

[Andy-M]

I would say charge by the job.
they are gonna feel more secure knowing the maximum price, whereas if you run in to difficulty with a problem and run over time, there could be dispute over the extra time being your fault and them not wanting to pay.

Me personaly, I dont charge my m8's at all
I just hurl abuse and sarcasm at them for taking up my valuable time.
It may not help the bank ballance, but its far more rewarding to me
:|

[0iD]

No, never charged because I basically enjoy it.

[pp05]

For close family I have never charged because I didn't mind helping them out. They help out in other ways.

But now I don't enjoy it as much, so maybe charging something small is the way to go.

[GoNz0]

i only do friends pc's for free, friend of friend and they have to make a donation to my upgrade fund. i also make it clear its a 7 day warranty as there paying so little, so if a new part goes down they have to pay me to do the repair again after a week.

it does help free up your time when you make them pay, put your foot down now while you still can

[SiM]

I wouldn't charge anyone, it would make me feel like a pc whore... no offence to anyone that does charge for their services...