Price Lists

[Trinham Technologies]

I know this is a commonly discussed subject and I know that prices vary depending on location and competition, so there's not really a right or wrong answer but I'd like to ask anyway and get you feed back.

I'm currently trying to work on a full price list that I can give customers so they know stright up what I charge for what. But I struggle to know what pricess to put.

Just wondering if anyone else has a price list that they would be willing to share so I can get an idea what others are charging.

I have been doing repairs for a while but have always been flexible in my charging which I know is the wrong way to do things, so now as I'm trying to take a more professional approach, I want to have a set price list.

I appreciate any time and feed back people are willing to give.

 

[Kitten Kong]

Best thing you could possibly do, is to read this sticky.
http://www.technibble.com/forums/showthread.php?t=58155

Theres no way, my price list would work for you, and vice versa. Geography, client location, res, SMB's, MSP's all play a vital role, in determining prices.

Another way of looking at it is, overheads. I could have very large overheads, so my pricing structure would vary majorly compared to you and yours.

Ring around some of your local competition, create a spread sheet, list all the services, and enter their costings onto the sheet. Then you 'could' set your prices a little above the average.

Read the forum. This question has been asked insurmountable times. There is lots of very good advice when it comes to prices.

 

[Trinham Technologies]

Thanks for that link, it is a good article and has given me alot to think about.

 

[acitodg]

I would definitely take a look at local competition if you can. This will give you a great idea of where to start and where you currently stand with what you charge.

 

[Tech Savvy]

When I was trying to figure that out, my accountant told me to work backwards. Start with how much you want to make, estimate how long the job will comfortably take you, add some overhead. And there's your price, but don't skimp on the time allotted.

If you think a price is too high, reevaluate your process, if you think a price is too low consider if it could be an addon to another service or maybe it's worth more than it costs you to do (for me this is virus removals) which I charge market price even though I make more than I expect to earn through other services.

Keep in mind because of the nature of our business, some services can be completed simultaneously, and should be taken into account, but definitely don't rely on that. Especially when you're first starting out.

Even if you can afford less try to be at or around market price, because too low and you'll get bad clients and hard work and little pay. Too high and you're beat out by the competition. But you can't go wrong with market price as long as you have a good attitude and produce complete, reliable work.

And keep in mind overhead even if you don't have any yet. If the goal is to get to a point where you want your own store or office. Charge almost as if you already have it. It will:
-keep you competitive with price without underselling yourself
-eliminate the need for a drastic price increase when you do acquire the overhead.
-help you save towards your final goal.


Hope that helps,
Kev

 

[Trinham Technologies]

OK thanks everyone for your input.

I have one more question regarding this topic but not on actual prices but more on the way you charge.

For the likes of providing multiple services on one device, do you guys generally charge full price of each service added together?
i.e.
OS Repairs $70
Virus Removal $70
Data Backup $80
Total $220

Or would you just charge a lower combined price to stop the price becoming extremely high?

 

[cprompt]

I would probably charge the full price of the primary reason it came in, and then give some sort of discount on additional services. My thinking is that part of the charge is just getting the machine hooked up, booted up, and logged into and figuring out what weird settings they have. Since I only need to do that once, I might give a twenty five percent discount on other services.

 

[Trinham Technologies]

I would probably charge the full price of the primary reason it came in, and then give some sort of discount on additional services. My thinking is that part of the charge is just getting the machine hooked up, booted up, and logged into and figuring out what weird settings they have. Since I only need to do that once, I might give a twenty five percent discount on other services.

Thanks for your response. That fits with the ideas that I've had on doing for it charge one set price then discount the rest.

 

[kwest]

Discount second one but also offer a discounted tuneup after you diagnose the issue (none tune related). I normally charge 100 for virus removal/tuneup. I only charge 40 as an add on to something else. Usually when it is in for something else the tune up is quick.