What should I charge for freelance computer work.

[bdb4269x]

span style="font-size: 12pt;" times="" new="" roman="" ;="" color="" black=""I work with computers, and often help my friends out when they need some computer work done -- but more and more friends of friends are getting referred to me. brbrWhat is a good amount to charge for stuff like this? brbrShould I charge hourly?brbrAn example is, right now a friend of a friend needs a PC and a laptop wiped and re-installed. Should I ask for a set price, or give an hourly price? If I should give a hourly price, what is a good amount to charge, and is it proper for me to give a time estimate? Because that's another problem I have -- I am horrible and "predicting" how long something like that will take.brbrAny advice would be greatly appreciated./spanbrbrbr

[mondine]

I'd say that it depends on what (or who) else is available in your area.
Play the customer, looking for a quote, and see what other professionals in your area are charging.

As for hourly, or flat rate, it depends upon how you work.
Myself, I prefer a flat fee, so I don't feel pressure about completing jobs; but you'd want to
see how that goes and change if it's turning out that you're not being paid well enough for your time.

Which ever way you charge, tell acquaintances that it's higher than you plan to charge.
That way, you can tell them they're getting a special 'friend-of-friend' rate; while making it clear how much they will be paying.

[andrew247]

I suppose it also depends on whether you have to buy any software, e.g. an operating system to install.
You'd have to cover these costs too.

[wolf719]

in my country there is no need to buy any software because we can find almost any software that is piracy.include the latest windows OS.
if it was i,i think iwouldhave two choice.one is i will help my friends of friends fix up all the problem for totally free,by this way i will get a new friend.
the other choice isi would fix up all the problem and have a charge equal with other professional around here.by this way i will get money!haha!

[bdb4269x]

brThanks mondine, I checked out the other places around here and actually came up with a good hourly and good flat rate. The flat rate of course aimed a little higher than normal in case I run into anything. I just gonna tell the guy that, and the prices and let him know he can go hourly which might be less, or might be more, or, he can go with the flat rate. brbrbrHow come nobody has voted? .... Just curious.brbrbrbr

[IamTheKing9]

I suppose everyone wanted to give you advice, but could not decide on a particular rate.