Service contracts

[Shataken]

Can anyone point me to a good source for public domain service contracts and/or any sort of regularly used paperwork for at home service technicians?

Thanks

[focuz]

I would also be interested in this. Now I know no one here is a lawyer but what type of paperwork do most of you use when servicing someone. Is it just a receipt of what was done or do you use some sort of service agreement.

[Bryce W]

I plan to release a pack of commonly used computer technician documents as templates so you can write your own business name there for a small amount.

So far the pack will include:

- Sample invoices
- Sample maintenence contracts
- Sample work orders
- Engagement form (eg. "if you dont tell me that you have millions of dollars worth of work on your computer before I format it, you cant sue me").
- Backup checklist ("do you want to keep MyDocs/My Pics, Program X, Cd keys etc.. circle yes or no. ISP Details etc..")
- Service Form ("eg. Dropoff time, client contact details, problem reported by client, how it was fixed, time taken, how much")

Anything else you guys are after to be included in the pack?

[cis4smack]

I plan to release a pack of commonly used computer technician documents as templates so you can write your own business name there for a small amount.

So far the pack will include:

- Sample invoices
- Sample maintenence contracts
- Sample work orders
- Engagement form (eg. "if you dont tell me that you have millions of dollars worth of work on your computer before I format it, you cant sue me").
- Backup checklist ("do you want to keep MyDocs/My Pics, Program X, Cd keys etc.. circle yes or no. ISP Details etc..")
- Service Form ("eg. Dropoff time, client contact details, problem reported by client, how it was fixed, time taken, how much")

Anything else you guys are after to be included in the pack?

When will this be avail.

[tkrabec]

Since we are talking about service contracts. I'd like to suggest we aggregate some data about scan times based on machine specs and amount of data scanned. This information can help us estimate the amount of time we will be putting in for single calls as well as estimating how long we will be on site.

I'm willing to coordinate this and maintain the data, if anyone else in interested.

[Mac]

Yeah this is a great idea. Im in :)

[MrMille]

Scan times? like for a virus?
Sorry if that's a really dumb question.

[tkrabec]

Yes scan times for the virus and spyware/malware sweeps.

[MrMille]

Will do Tim

[focuz]

Any progress on this project. I would definitely like to see what type of contract formats you guys are using.

[Alden]

My independant contractors agreements and service contracts were created by my lawyers. Six months later, I was interviewing a tech (more like an IT Super hero), who provided an ebook consulting kit from http://www.ComputerConsulting101.com. Turned out, I didn't use it, but after reading your posts I've been back through and realize I really need to read it.

Even one thing learned is a valuable asset. Not endorsing them, but it may be worth a look over. Touch base with me in a little while if you want an opinion on it. www.BayGeeks.com

[Bryce W]

I have read bad things about this. Ive heard that its very general business stuff (identify your target market, find your niche etc..). This guy also has many many doorway pages under many different names and URL's selling the same product (eg. smallbusinesscomputerconsulting.com, smallbiztechtalk.com). The so called business tips that they want you to signup for have no content, but are just a "read how John increased his billable hours per week from 40 hours to 80 hours. Just buy our book."

[greggh]

tkrabec, we do that on our forms. We actually have a section on the service form where we write out the time it took to do everything. Virus/spyware scan, hardware replacement, ect. There is a small grid of items. We can then take all of this information and build up a good set of numbers to base time estimations on. It also helps us judge our techs ability to do certain things, not so we can fire them, but so we can send the right tech to the right jobs.

[zboomerz]

I would be interested in that kit.It is somtimes hard to get everything remembered and on paper in the start up phase.

[jimmm33]

I have avoided service contracts. I don't like them nor do my customers. I have never seen on that wasn't really a rip off.

I do have one. It is with my own accountant. I bill him two hours labor a month and I fix all of his problems for no extra charge. In return he handles all my taxes at a severely reduced rate.

I could not run my business without an accountant.