Comments on: Computer Repair Business Startup Costs

By: Manny Floresca

Manny Floresca — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 17:49:38 +0000

Is it necessary to be licensed, bonded, and insured for a home-based computer services company? If so, how much should the bond and insurance policy be?

By: Mugenyi Ismail Jr

Mugenyi Ismail Jr — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 14:47:39 +0000

This is a very helpful piece.
Please provide more as we can only learn from our masters.
Though the pricing is a bit different especially here in Africa

By: Computer Repair Royal Oak MI - C! Tech Solutions

Computer Repair Royal Oak MI - C! Tech Solutions — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 14:26:08 +0000

I’ll second Overnightprints as a great place to get business cards. Their turnaround is about 10x faster than Vistaprint, and their print quality seems a bit higher, on WAY better stock. They can also do rounded corners. My cards look fantastic, and always get complimented.

By: the little ½bakery of horrors

the little ½bakery of horrors — Tue, 19 May 2009 20:28:18 +0000

these post are interesting because at times, i’ve considered (non “tech”) biz. the info is far more compact than [$0.20/word) DIY-biz books at the library (my eyezeth glazeth over)]
But I then recall that i’m too much an unmarketing type of person. :-/

just some comments: i’ve see the faded packages of ancient the in repair shops, I’ve seen some craigslist and elsewhere ads… trying to unload ancient tech (”Cost $129.95 list [in 2001]! whatta deal!!”) So, yes, choose your emergency parts carefully…
if you live in an area of both old and new houses, talking to a plumber about the 4 tons of stuff in his/her van might be amusing.

“Another problem was that sometimes it was cheaper to buy another computer than to get the old broken one repaired.”
or maybe not, since also remember that an annoyingly high % of “new” need fixing (or at least RMA). IOW, buying new isn’t such a clean (”cheaper”) solution as it initially fleetingly seems.
plus the rest of the comparison: the new computer is likely .. um “newer”, eg. has longer future life, will run something newer than word4 on win3.11, etc)

By: rob

rob — Sat, 09 May 2009 23:14:31 +0000

Sorry 14.95 for 100 cards

By: rob

rob — Sat, 09 May 2009 23:13:52 +0000

For business cards and flyers go to overnightprints.com. You can design your business cards (14.95 for 10) and flyers, t-shirts etc for a really good price. You can design everything from their site.

By: Marc

Marc — Sat, 02 May 2009 14:50:06 +0000

I just ordered 1000 business cards from GotPrint.com for less than $20. I’ve used them many times in the past and have always been pleased with the results.

By: Computer Repair Royal Oak MI - C! Tech Solutions

Computer Repair Royal Oak MI - C! Tech Solutions — Fri, 01 May 2009 16:14:52 +0000

I’d suggest renting a mailbox at a place that supplies a street-level address (IE, NOT a PO Box) so that you don’t have to be present to receive shipments from UPS, Fedex, etc. My mailbox is probably the best $360 I spend every year.

Additionally, you can’t register a business via a PO Box, but you CAN use a mailbox store address for that purpose.

By: Luis

Luis — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 03:31:48 +0000

Matt,
Thanks for the advice. I know how frustrating it can be to collect without a contract. I’m actually going through that now. I accepted a job because I needed some extra money.

the job took me no time at all, but the customer keeps telling me he doesn’t have the money, so I’m holding on to his system till he pays. He doesn’t seem so concerned about getting his computer back, and I don’t mind holding it. without a contract though I’m sure it COULD lead to legal issues, but i doubt the guy will go that far. Lesson learned.

How long is long enough (with a signed contract) before one could lien off the system and sell it to recupe?

Situations such as these are why I’d rather just work for someone else. I can’t wait till I’m done with school. I wish there was a faster/easier way to break into the industry. I have the knowledge but no prior work experience on paper.

By: Matt

Matt — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 06:51:26 +0000

First, sorry about the link typo. The correct link is toggl.com

@Luis – don’t make the mistake of making too much differential between Residential and Business clients. My residential clients sign the same forms as my business clients. It manages expectations on their part, and it also reinforces that you’re a professional providing a valuable service rather than just some guy who works on computers. You’d be surprised how it heads off confrontations, billing questions, etc.

Plus, it can be even more difficult to collect from an individual than a business so having paperwork signed by them can really help. (I always make my residential customers pay at the end of my call because of this.)