Starting my own PC Repair business (At home)

**AJMedeiros** · 11-18-2011 09:08 PM

First off, apologies if this is the wrong section

Alright so what I want to do is start a Local Business in PC repairs (Hardware repairs, reformatting etc etc) from my house, and I'm not sure where too start. I don't have any business degrees or anything, and I'm only 18 (For a couple more months).

I figured if I have the skills and the knowledge, why not put them to use and expand on what I already know while making some cash? My parents are still currently supporting me, and my plan was to start a little advertisement on a website like Craigslist or Kajiji and have the customer send their computer to my address, I fix their problem maybe swap a couple parts and send it back. As for payment, my idea is to ask for the particular price of the part(s) the person needs plus a certain percentage for the actual work, and to make a living.

Lets say an older model video card costs $50 and the customer wants me to swap it for a working one, I'd ask the customer to pay me $50 and... say 20% more for the service (These numbers are only for examples only) which brings the total to $60, 50 for the card and 10 for me. How viable would this idea be? I do plan on expanding to an actual shop in the future and hopefully an industry giant in the future (We can dream! Im sure by then tablets will replace PCs though..)

Does anyone have any tips on where to start? How I should go about my prices, something reasonable? This has been my dream for awhile, that and joining the army LOL! If I could go through with this, it would be amazing.

Note: If I cannot repair the part I'd simply send it back along with what they payed me, and if I break anything I'd compensate them full price. If you need more information let me know!

**DigitalPalette** · 11-18-2011 09:36 PM

It is viable and it plays off of what most service industry price structures do. However, bear in mind most customers will not know much about computers/quality of parts so they will rely heavily on your recommendation. With a cost fixed on % of product cost you are always going to be chasing a higher cost of replacement product to increase profits. It may not seem like a big deal at first, but certainly won't help in repeat business.

Another thing to consider is the fact your having customers ship them to you. Going by the "customer-knowns-nothing" route, what happens if they send it to you and something ends up being more to repair than you originally expected or they knew was wrong. You would need to increase the amount charged/quoted, but what if they no longer want to do business at the higher cost? Who pays return shipping? These are things you should think out ahead of time.

**AJMedeiros** · 11-19-2011 07:59 PM

Yeah I definitely see where you're coming from, and I've thought of it myself. I could do some sort of troubleshoot, or even use software to remotely connect to their computer and check their specs. I guess I'll learn with time.

But where should I start? Craiglist? And whats a good % to start off with? And a bit of an ignorant question here but if they're local, in the same neighborhood; there wouldn't be a shipping and handling charge? Im in Toronto, Ontario btw (Canada)

**jrockfl** · 11-19-2011 09:52 PM

I did something similar back in the late 90's. I offered in home computer repair and training.

I had a problem with a laptop a few months ago, and someone from the hp forum recommended this place
We specialize in Laptop Computer Repair at the Component Level.  All levels of repairs available at a wholesale price!  Call today 585-226-1222

You can get some ideas on how they do their business.

They also sell their services on ebay.