Normal Charge-out rate to repair computer

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Earbanean

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Ultimate Geek

#311680 7-Feb-2024 09:28

What's a normal reasonable hourly rate to do work on a laptop? e.g. we have a laptop needing a new fan installed (which we supplied) and then reassembled. The quote from local tech company is $129 per hour + GST. I would have thought that sounds high, but have no real experience with this sort of thing.

trig42

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#3191675 7-Feb-2024 09:35

Sounds in the ballpark for an onsite visit.

I used to work as a mobile tech, and back then (13 years ago) we were charging $85/hr for residential, $99 for business.

You may find it cheaper to take it somewhere yourself, or check the local mobile tech services (Need a Nerd, Geeks on Wheels etc.)

CamH

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Ultimate Geek

#3191677 7-Feb-2024 09:41

We're $125 per hour + GST, as are most places now. Geeks on Wheels are $140+GST + Callout I believe and Needanerd is similar.

Earbanean

944 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3191701 7-Feb-2024 10:07

trig42:

Sounds in the ballpark for an onsite visit.

I used to work as a mobile tech, and back then (13 years ago) we were charging $85/hr for residential, $99 for business.

You may find it cheaper to take it somewhere yourself, or check the local mobile tech services (Need a Nerd, Geeks on Wheels etc.)

We dropped the laptop and new fan at the tech's premises, so no call out or onsite visit.

Earbanean

944 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3191702 7-Feb-2024 10:08

CamH:

We're $125 per hour + GST, as are most places now. Geeks on Wheels are $140+GST + Callout I believe and Needanerd is similar.

OK, sounds reasonable then. Thanks.

nztim

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#3191718 7-Feb-2024 10:49

Yup reasonable, it's now reflective of the current markets for IT salaries, plus company overheads etc etc

https://www.roberthalf.co.nz/salary-details/systems-engineer/new-zealand

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Lias

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#3191915 7-Feb-2024 13:41

I haven't done that sort of work for a solid 2 decades but we charged $80/hour back then, so seems quite reasonable.

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mattwnz

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#3191923 7-Feb-2024 14:00

They're should be guides to do it yourself if you already have the part.

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bagheera

539 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3191928 7-Feb-2024 14:06

mattwnz: They're should be guides to do it yourself if you already have the part.

some laptop nowadays takes hours to do if you do not know how, have the tool, even if you do, it still can take some time - it is best to get a fixed price quote beforehand.

Earbanean

944 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3191945 7-Feb-2024 14:36

mattwnz: They're should be guides to do it yourself if you already have the part.

Ha ha, yeah I actually tried that first. I've done stuff like adding RAM to laptops before, so I thought replacing a fan should be doable. However, it's reasonably difficult for a HP Probook G5. Rather than just going in the bottom, you have to first go in the bottom, remove lots of screws, then come at it from the top, taking keyboard off etc.

So anyway, I got the replacement part online, then followed a YouTube video to take it apart. But then realised I'd struggle to get it back together. I don't have the small tools (or skill) to do stuff like get ribbon cables back into clips etc. So at that point, I tapped out.

nztim

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#3191951 7-Feb-2024 14:47

bagheera:

it is best to get a fixed price quote beforehand.

Good luck with that

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