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badtz · Oct 28, 2005, 09:02 PM

Greetings,

If I'm formatting/installing an OS on a client's computer .... do you include the amount of time you had to "wait" while it was installing?

[this assumes the charge is hourly]

any advice would be great! I have two computers here that I've done work on (format, install OS/apps) and I'm not exactly sure how to invoice the client.

thanks

Macola · Oct 28, 2005, 09:13 PM

Yes, however I'm usually doing something else (billable) during that time.

Macola · Oct 28, 2005, 09:13 PM

dp--crappy forum server

Ghoser777 · Oct 28, 2005, 09:44 PM

I think you should do it three times and charge triple for the extra work.

rickey939 · Oct 28, 2005, 09:49 PM

Hi. I like creating errors.

Love,
The 'NN Database

stevesnj · Oct 28, 2005, 09:50 PM

Originally Posted by badtz

Greetings,

If I'm formatting/installing an OS on a client's computer .... do you include the amount of time you had to "wait" while it was installing?

[this assumes the charge is hourly]

any advice would be great! I have two computers here that I've done work on (format, install OS/apps) and I'm not exactly sure how to invoice the client.

thanks

I have been doing this type of work for 5 years and found that charging one flat rate to format and re-install is best. It will take me about 1-2 hours on a Windows machine once I do all the updates and get the right drivers. If file save and tranfer is involved i charge more.

Format and re-install OS-$85....includes pick up and drop off

same as above wwith file transfer I charge $100

I actually just started using images for my reinstalls so it goes quicker now and I still charge the same.

badtz · Oct 28, 2005, 10:25 PM

Yikes! Please ignore the other posts in the forum, the server was timing out earlier

How do you charge if there's applications that need to be installed [adobe, macromedia, etc.]? My current contract is hourly based.

Mrjinglesusa · Oct 29, 2005, 12:27 AM

If you are under contract on an hourly basis then I would say charge for the hours you spend in front of the computer installing stuff (OS, Apps, etc.). Waiting time counts if you aren't doing something else.

If you start the OS install and go to lunch I don't think you can charge for that time. If you stay around and wait, you can.

Just my opinion...

Scandalous Ion Cannon · Oct 29, 2005, 12:40 AM

Yes, any time you had to spend with the client when you could have been somewhere else.

Athens · Oct 29, 2005, 03:33 AM

Originally Posted by badtz

Greetings,

If I'm formatting/installing an OS on a client's computer .... do you include the amount of time you had to "wait" while it was installing?

[this assumes the charge is hourly]

any advice would be great! I have two computers here that I've done work on (format, install OS/apps) and I'm not exactly sure how to invoice the client.

thanks

Yes and no for me. If I am doing a on-site job, I charge every minute im there including when I am waiting for the computer. When I am doing the job at the office, I charge a flat rate for the job because I am off doing other things as well.

badtz · Oct 29, 2005, 05:59 AM

Let's say that I install the OS/applications, but I do other things during the meantime.

Should I charge for the time that I should've "waited"?

Obviously if the OS install stopped already, and I came back way later, I shouldn't charge for the extra time away. But what if I was doing something during the meantime of the install, should the charge be for the length of the actual install, even though I wasn't @ the computer?

Normally I do it at the client's office, but in this case, I do it all @ my own; hence why I'm not sure how to charge

stevesnj · Oct 29, 2005, 12:43 PM

Originally Posted by badtz

Let's say that I install the OS/applications, but I do other things during the meantime.

Should I charge for the time that I should've "waited"?

Obviously if the OS install stopped already, and I came back way later, I shouldn't charge for the extra time away. But what if I was doing something during the meantime of the install, should the charge be for the length of the actual install, even though I wasn't @ the computer?

Normally I do it at the client's office, but in this case, I do it all @ my own; hence why I'm not sure how to charge

This is why I charge a flat rate...you could spend longer or shorter amount of time. Over time you will get quicker at it but charging when not working on it is not ethical IMHO.

stevesnj · Oct 29, 2005, 12:45 PM

Originally Posted by badtz

Let's say that I install the OS/applications, but I do other things during the meantime.

Should I charge for the time that I should've "waited"?

Obviously if the OS install stopped already, and I came back way later, I shouldn't charge for the extra time away. But what if I was doing something during the meantime of the install, should the charge be for the length of the actual install, even though I wasn't @ the computer?

Normally I do it at the client's office, but in this case, I do it all @ my own; hence why I'm not sure how to charge

This is why I charge a flat rate...you could spend longer or shorter amount of time. Over time you will get quicker at it but charging when not working on it is not ethical IMHO. If your at their residence/office than charge for the time there. Or you can just charge a flat rate on site also.