What is a reasonable fee to charge to spec and build a pc

[SilverZ06]

he is well aware and ill beat it over his head that the $100 is just to assemble the parts and install the OS with all updated drivers. I will hand him a turn key system and any future issues will be separate. no warranty written,expressed, or implied except from the equipment manufacturers. just assembly not full tech support. I'm not making money on the parts just wanting to be compensated for my time.

[Bizman]

Since it's your boss who's in need of the computer, I'd recommend to wash your hands of the project as soon as possible and lead them to a good builder like mbailey said. That way you don't risk your job in the future if something goes wrong, be it their fault or poor components. If they are happy, it would be polite to reward you with some nice Christmas present for your help and advice. In the opposite case your bacon is at least half saved.

I help people with computers for living, and although I can, I don't build computers for my customers. When you're buying components for just one machine, there's always one missing or faulty component and getting a replacement takes so much time and effort it isn't worth the 100. Not to mention possible breaking under warranty time. As you know, the builder shouldn't charge for his work at warranty issues...

[Tigger29]

he is well aware and ill beat it over his head that the $100 is just to assemble the parts and install the OS with all updated drivers. I will hand him a turn key system and any future issues will be separate. no warranty written,expressed, or implied except from the equipment manufacturers. just assembly not full tech support. I'm not making money on the parts just wanting to be compensated for my time.

I've told people that same exact thing in the past and ended up being called several times a month for every little thing.  Since I do this as a hobby and not a business then it doesn't feel right to me to charge them for every step of the way and since they knew I did it as a favor they counted on it!

It's simple.. I only do it for family anymore.  It's just not worth the hassle.  If I was running a business (I wonder if TD needs a partner! haha) then it'd be a different story altogether.

[Reschke]

Another option if you want him to get a great computer at a great price would be to check out Tildeath (TDcomputer systems)

He will get a really great build, at a really great price, and you dont have to worry about the headaches of something going wrong.

just my .02

+ infinity! The last thing you want to do is incur the wrath of a friend or employer over something that their kids do to the PC's at home. Especially when it starts taking YOUR time away from doing the things you like to do.

[Nwbie]

If you do end up doing it
1. teach him how to backup the system on a regular basis
2. teach him to backup before he updates anything
3. teach him to do a backup on a regular basis and drill into his head how important it is to keep the original disks and updated backups in a safe place.

then inform him how to do a reinstall if anything goes wrong, if you don't - guess who will be expected to do it in the future.

[PFactorDave]

Do it in exchange for a nice dinner out for you and your wife.  That makes it more of an exchange of gifts/favors then a business transaction.

[DREDIOCK]

Do the free thing and take it a step further. Teach the kid how to do it himself

[Max]

How do you feel about phone calls at 2am when the kid gets his 1st BSOD?

Seriously, you'll be married to this computer whenever something goes awry.

[DREDIOCK]

Reminds me of the sign in the motorcycle shop:

Hourly Rates
========

for just the work:     $25

if you watch:             $50

if you ask questions:  $75

if you help:             $100

a bit off topic but it relates
Im gonna have to have T-shirts made up with this as some of the most annoying problems I've run into. Are the ones created when the customer decided to try and help. such as last week. Wallpaper removal and paint job in two bathrooms. which means everything has to come off the walls.

 I had all the wall plates in and screws inside the vanity so they wouldnt get lost and the hardware like towel and shower curtain rods set off to the side. Well the customer decided to help and wanted to clean up  the wall plates and in the process lost all the screws for the hardware and wall plates. After digging around and comming up with enough screws of the proper size to fit into the wall anchors Im almost done when I get called into the next room to give the husband a hand with something.
I come back in an the last two screws needed that I JUST placed on the counter top are now missing because she decided to help me clean up.
At that point I jokingly told her that if she was going to help. Im going to have to charge her an extra fee

[Dragon]

I tend to charge 10% of the price for parts, a little more if it's a family member or nagging friend.


At 1,000, it's usually someone who it tight on funds so 100 bucks works well.

2,000 is a more involved system, takes more time, etc. so 200 bucks is deserved.

3,000 and above means they want something extraordinary and have no problem shelling out 300 bucks or more for it.