You do that part time? How much on average do you charge for basic services? I'm trying for the same thing. Though I get very little business. A few customers a month. Do you advertise at all? I'm trying by word of mouth. I give certain people discount so that I can get my name in different part of the city and in different demographics, but I just can't get anything steady. About how much do you profit a month?
I'm a full time college student and do that part time in my spare time
It depends on what I am doing and how long it takes.
For building systems, I've got a list of ones in different price ranges, for different purposes, which I charge round numbers to £50 for, so £400, £450, £500 etc. I get it as close to that figure as I can, and for each system build + sold I make anywhere from £20 to £50.
If it is for repairs or on site assistance (in houses or small businesses), it depends on how long I am there, and what I have to do. There have been quite a few times that I've gone and done what they want, or showed them how to do something, and said don't worry about paying, as it was only a matter of going out for a few minutes, but usually ~£20 an hour. I don't have set rates, but then I never overcharge, it would be morally incorrect to do so. I obviously don't want to be taken advantage of, but I want that to be mutual and don't want my clients to think I am taking advantage of them
It is much, much cheaper than anyone else in the area, but they all do it full time, and have extra expenses, like paying for their shop and full transport costs in there of fuel and what not. I don't drive, so use public transport, or get lifts, which is a good and bad thing, because it saves me a heck of a lot of money, but limits how far out I can go, so the number of jobs I can do.
I tend to go out of my way too much for people though, which again, is a good and bad thing. I could make much more if I were to do just the job, but probably wouldn't have as much work because people wouldn't be as happy to use me again, or tell people about me. For instance, when building the systems, I offer alternatives and advice, never ever asking for extra even if I end up being on the phone or with them for hours, any problems after I get to straight away, by which I mean same day, usually with in the hour unless I am already on a job or they bring it up late on in the day. I mentioned before if it is a quick job I won't ask for any sort of payment, it is just little things like that and the reliability.
However I have also had a lot of help from family, not doing the job, but because of their positions. My mum and 1 of my sisters work in a hospital, my sister being a nurse so always on the wards, my mum working with equipment, usually giving advice for each patient and what they need for their problems. Because of that both spend a lot of time talking with people, so if it comes up in conversation that they have a problem, someone that they know has a problem, they are contemplating getting a new computer, whatever, they will mention me and give me information. My step dad works in a large warehouse, and if anyone who he works with needs my services, he will tell them, and he is also a motor-sport marshal, so I get a few jobs from those too. My mum is an Avon rep on the side too, and I've had countless jobs from them because it is people very close by, so is convenient and I know most of them now.
Because of that, I'm fortunate that at the moment I haven't had to advertise, but will do in the future when I spread out even more. For how much I make, it depends entirely on how much I get called out, it can be anywhere from £20 to a few hundred £ a month
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