Setting up a local personal computer cleaning / upgrading / maintenance service? - Hardware & Software

I've been thinking recently about how to make some money aside from my current part-time job as a cashier at a grocery store. I'm into computers and I love to build my own computers. I'm wondering how I would go about starting a little side project where I clean (physically and virtually) and upgrade (hardware and software) computers as well as hook up systems. I know many people (such as my parents and grandparents and neighbors) who often complain of basic computer issues such as their computer running too slow, being too loud, wanting to upgrade, etc. I can do most of these things. While I can't diagnose what certain error codes mean and how to hack into the registry and magically change values, I do know how to do some pretty advanced stuff and I'm sure of myself when I do it. Most people's computer problems seem to be the fact that they just don't keep their computers clean (as in dusted) as well as they just don't know how to clean their files and registry up. It sickens me how many people go out and buy brand new HP's and Dell's when their current computer is just fine and needs some simple maintenance. Anyways, enough with my rant. How would an 18 year old college student go about doing this? I don't want to be responsible for big companies as of yet, I don't feel qualified to be dealing with issues besides personal and small business. I need help figuring out base prices for cleaning, maintaining, upgrading, setting up computers, etc. Also, what would be some good ways to advertise and network my business? What are some tools I should have to get started? I know I'd need a small screwdriver kit, some extra connectors, probably some fans of various sizes at hand, and maybe a small vacuum and compressed air. I would love to do this as well as custom builds for people new to gaming. Basically: What do I need to get started? How much would it cost? How much should I charge? Should I work at people's homes or bring their systems to my home? What are the best forms of marketing? Any ideas, suggestions, tips? Any would be appreciated. Thanks!

If you're interested in doing this, your best bet would just do it as an in-house business. How much you should charge is really up to you, but your best bet is to look at how long things take to do, how much you think you should be earning (within reason) and make an estimate from that. I.E: You expect to make $15 an hour. An issue with their networking takes 2 hours to solve. Charge $30. Then again, at my local store, my mother took in a computer with a piece of a 3.5mm stuck in a jack and it took 8 hours to get out and it only cost $68. It's up to you whether to charge hourly or flat rates.

A good way to start is just selling your PC you've built, then build a new one immediately after; if you have enough just build one for selling and keep your own.

[QUOTE=Shadaez;30445072]A good way to start is just selling your PC you've built, then build a new one immediately after; if you have enough just build one for selling and keep your own.[/QUOTE] The problem with selling PCs is you're suddenly expected to handle tech support for all of your customers

If you're going to be working in people's homes, ensure that they aare able to stay with you the entire process. It protects you from the "you stole X, Y, and from me. " I don't know if there's bonding/insurance for this type of work though.

[QUOTE=psp401.com;30451272]If you're going to be working in people's homes, ensure that they aare able to stay with you the entire process. It protects you from the "you stole X, Y, and from me. " I don't know if there's bonding/insurance for this type of work though.[/QUOTE] This.

Personally I'd start up a web business perhaps. Maybe something as simple as selling PC's you have built on ebay? If you prefer hands on repairs in the field then maybe starting an in house business would be better.

[QUOTE=Zeke129;30445565]The problem with selling PCs is you're suddenly expected to handle tech support for all of your customers[/QUOTE] Solution: Say you will not give tech support.

[QUOTE=jordguitar;30451385]Solution: Say you will not give tech support.[/QUOTE] You could charge an inspection rate and offer to charge them for the parts and labor required to fix any hardware problems. Otherwise, I'd have them sign off saying that anything that happens to the machine is not my responsibility. [editline]14th June 2011[/editline] I was thinking less technical stuff than building them even. I mean, how many people in their 40's + actually know how to open up a computer and clean it out or diagnose a problem? Hell, half of them probably don't even know what the proper cable or component names are called or where to plug them in at. Ignorance is bliss.

If they request support for the machine you built, demand monies.

You have to get a business license and pay self-employment tax for a sole proprietorship business. You wont be dealing with companies or probably businesses, as they would hire a more skilled technician or have their own.

There was a good thread about how to do this a month or so in the past. I'll see if I can dig it up [editline]14th June 2011[/editline] [url]http://www.facepunch.com/threads/1066942-How-to-be-your-own-computer-repair-tech!-v2.0?highlight=[/url]

[QUOTE=Shadaez;30445072]A good way to start is just selling your PC you've built, then build a new one immediately after; if you have enough just build one for selling and keep your own.[/QUOTE] this is a horrible thing to do, there are people selling better computers for way lower prices that you cant compete with not to mention you will be expected to provide support for that computer, which isn't what you want if you want to succeed in a local repair and maintenance business, get the word out and do good work for low prices, and you'll start getting a network of customers as time goes on

[QUOTE=Kopimi;30453558]this is a horrible thing to do, there are people selling better computers for way lower prices that you cant compete with not to mention you will be expected to provide support for that computer, which isn't what you want if you want to succeed in a local repair and maintenance business, get the word out and do good work for low prices, and you'll start getting a network of customers as time goes on[/QUOTE] Noone is selling better PCs for cheaper where I am, and they wouldn't be able to unless they are using worse components or are a much bigger business, but even then they'd have much more overhead and stuff and wouldn't be able to. And support for the computer IS what you want, just charge for it. The whole point is getting into a 'local personal computer cleaning / upgrading / maintenance service', so how could that ever be a negative. [editline]14th June 2011[/editline] After doing some internet detective work, I have determined the OP is in Jacksonville, FL. [url]http://miami.craigslist.org/mdc/sys/2440211451.html[/url] - grossly overpriced [url]http://miami.craigslist.org/brw/sys/2438978786.html[/url] - decent, people see i7 and will probably think it's a great computer [url]http://miami.craigslist.org/mdc/sys/2437293969.html[/url] - i threw up in my mouth tbh [url]http://miami.craigslist.org/brw/sys/2426344280.html[/url] - another decent priced one

[QUOTE=Shadaez;30453726]Noone is selling better PCs for cheaper where I am, and they wouldn't be able to unless they are using worse components or are a much bigger business, but even then they'd have much more overhead and stuff and wouldn't be able to. And support for the computer IS what you want, just charge for it. The whole point is getting into a 'local personal computer cleaning / upgrading / maintenance service', so how could that ever be a negative. [editline]14th June 2011[/editline] After doing some internet detective work, I have determined the OP is in Jacksonville, FL. [url]http://miami.craigslist.org/mdc/sys/2440211451.html[/url] - grossly overpriced [url]http://miami.craigslist.org/brw/sys/2438978786.html[/url] - decent, people see i7 and will probably think it's a great computer [url]http://miami.craigslist.org/mdc/sys/2437293969.html[/url] - i threw up in my mouth tbh [url]http://miami.craigslist.org/brw/sys/2426344280.html[/url] - another decent priced one[/QUOTE] Miami is so far away from here, its like an 8 hour drive. Anyways, I don't know. Those seem like fair prices. I didn't look them up or anything, but they seem relatively cheap for what's included plus the labor factored in. The thing is, I don't have $1000 to go spend on a computer and try to sell it.

Also it's handy to have a separate machine dedicated to virus scanning and data recovery because if it gets fucked over virus wise you can just re-image it, not to mention having every handy tool on it and not clogging up your main rig. [editline]15th June 2011[/editline] just a suggestion if you have parts coming out of your ears.