Building PCs for peole

[nvening]

I am thinking about offering a local service of building customPCs for people after constantly hearing people say they want to get a custom PC not an OEM one.

One problem is, If i was to go and install the PC, would i need some kind of insurance? I dont want to be sued lol. What heppens if the PC caught fire and burned the house down?

Obviously this is unlikely but do i need insurance or can i just get them to sign to say i am not liable or can i not set up peoples PCs for them (Im guessing that of the couple i will probably build they will be for friends but still, i need to know.)

[Tobeman]

I already do something similar to this already, and would be interested also. I just tend to make sure I use a decent PSU and test it at home first

[nvening]

24hrs of Prime95 would seem to do the job, according to a quick google.

How is bussiness btw?

[nvening]

Found this:

I think it may be costly lol

http://www.abi.org.uk/Display/defaul...0&Child_ID=134

[schmunk]

You should draw up suitable contacts covering such items, but yes, you'll need liability insurance or you could be liable for all your assets (and possibly more).

[nvening]

think i just signed up for some random insturance company to phone me, whoops

Basically, i cant do it without spending loads on insurance lol

Hang on, if i sent (by post) someone a PSU from my old pc and it was responsable for burning down thier house, then would i be liable?

[5cupa]

as long as you havent opened the psu up then I wouldent think so....it wouldent stand up in court tbh

[Agent]

Hang on, if i sent (by post) someone a PSU from my old pc and it was responsable for burning down thier house, then would i be liable?

It depends if the fire was a result of your actions / negligence.
If you'd opened it up, dropped a few screws in, and then gave it to somone and it blew up, then you'd probably stand a chance of getting done for it.
If your just a reseller and the fire was caused due to a faulty part that was beyond your control, then probably not.

The major problem in both cases is proving which side you fall on.
Law here is a very funny thing. Its not simply one or the other. What may seem like a clear cut case can be turned upside down easily.

[Rave]

If people want a custom PC for gaming, then it's potentially a viable business. If they're total PC noobs who just want an email/internet/wordprocessing PC, then you simply will not be able to undercut Dell, and you'll be letting yourself in for a lot of grief if you try IMO.

If you have reasonable troubleshooting skills, then just advertising your services to people with PC problems could be a viable business. I'd still advise you to get liability insurance though....and advise that you fully understand the tax implications of running a small business.

[directhex]

i'd strongly recommend against this - you CANNOT undercut on price, you're fecked if you have *any* support costs (such as an RMA), and you can't build a business based on friends-and-family, especially given the need to advertise etc.

an odd machine for a mate, perhaps, but don't try and go pro, you can't compete.

[Mblaster]

you're fecked if you have *any* support costs (such as an RMA)

That's the biggest problem, when the person using it ****s it up (or something breaks) then they're gonna come to you to ask why.

[noah]

That's the biggest problem, when the person using it ****s it up (or something breaks) then they're gonna come to you to ask why.

and it will inevitably be 'your fault' not their lack of knowledge

[keith.ftm]

Wear a mask and false mustache when you deliver it and introduce yourself as herman (unless of course that is your real name). That should help.

[autopilot]

It's a nightmare, so many people are doing this. The trick is the marketing, becuase there is no way you could beat the bigger player, even local shops, on price. Warranties can be a problem too as every bit of hardware has a separate one. Service can be a problem too, if you are a one man band its hard to have the time to do both.

Every computer enthusiast dream of doing this at some stage, but it's virtually impossible these days.

If you do, I would probably get a A+ certification if i was going to do this as you can sell yourself as being 'qualified'.

[Taz]

Would you offer a warranty? If not, would anyone buy a PC off you without a warranty? You might be better off pursuing your hobby by building up the systems for your local club (whatever that may be), nursery, gym, etc.

You could also look out for startup companies and see if they want 10-12 PC's installed on the cheap. When I set up a company many years ago we employed a local man that had an advert in the back of a paper to set up a few PC, a file server and a printer for us. It gave him the start he needed to do the same for other startups.

However, without a serious amount of dosh to start up in this business, it's going to be very difficult.

Another avenue you could explore is building base systems and flogging them on E-Bay. I bought my dad a superb Athlon XP system for £299. It cost the guy who built it far more! You would need to source components at trade price to make it worthwhile.

[Tobeman]

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...Thumbnails=yes

Warranties