ML
    • Recent
    • Categories
    • Tags
    • Popular
    • Users
    • Groups
    • Register
    • Login

    What should I charge to help assist a Network Crossover?

    IT Business
    8
    37
    12.2k
    Loading More Posts
    • Oldest to Newest
    • Newest to Oldest
    • Most Votes
    Reply
    • Reply as topic
    Log in to reply
    This topic has been deleted. Only users with topic management privileges can see it.
    • ?
      A Former User
      last edited by

      Who are you? what is your experience level? Where are you? I'd think more around 125-150/hr depending on your answer to those questions. if you're note sure of the environment you'll be migrating from....it could be a nightmare 🙂

      M 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 2
      • JaredBuschJ
        JaredBusch
        last edited by

        I never give anyone less than $120 for a one time job.

        If a client signs a consulting agreement for more long term support I will cut the they rate based on the hours I expect to average from them. I still never go under $90.

        M 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 2
        • M
          MrWright4hire @A Former User
          last edited by

          @Hubtech said:

          Who are you? what is your experience level? Where are you? I'd think more around 125-150/hr depending on your answer to those questions. if you're note sure of the environment you'll be migrating from....it could be a nightmare 🙂

          Hello Hubtech. Without hearing your tone, your reply started off a bit condescending. However, to answer your question, I am who I say I am. My name is listed under my pic. I'm Mr. Wright. My level of experience is 8yrs deep and growing. I'm asking about prices because I'm starting off new with my own contracting company. I've always worked for someone else and never had to worry about coming up with pricing. With that said, I don't see how asking "who am I" is relevant. Now experience level and my location I understand. I don't care if I was Mighty Mouse. As long as I have the experience it shouldn't matter. This site, from what I understood, is to help aid others without making them feel more ignorant than what they are. If you find any of my questions insulting to your tech intelligence then, by all means, click away.
          Now speaking to the part that actually answer my question, thank you.

          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • M
            MrWright4hire @JaredBusch
            last edited by

            @JaredBusch said:

            I never give anyone less than $120 for a one time job.

            If a client signs a consulting agreement for more long term support I will cut the they rate based on the hours I expect to average from them. I still never go under $90.

            Thank you Jared for your feed back. I agree with both of you gentlemen.

            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • ?
              A Former User
              last edited by

              I ask because I do not know who you are. If you're currently working for a company who does what you intend to do, you could use that as a launch point. Jared's numbers look good to me! but who am i.

              M 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 3
              • M
                MrWright4hire @A Former User
                last edited by

                @Hubtech said:

                I ask because I do not know who you are. If you're currently working for a company who does what you intend to do, you could use that as a launch point. Jared's numbers look good to me! but who am i.

                Thank you for clarifying that Hubtech. I see your point. Now to answer who you are, I consider anyone associated with this site as someone special and with great knowledge. That's why I come to you as if you're my tech family, likewise if I have the knowledge about something I share it. Once again Hubtech, my new special friend, thank you for your suggestion.

                MattSpellerM 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • MattSpellerM
                  MattSpeller @MrWright4hire
                  last edited by

                  @MrWright4hire said:

                  I consider anyone associated with this site as someone special and with great knowledge.

                  Should I (personally) disappoint you now, or later? :bowtie:

                  M 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 6
                  • Minion QueenM
                    Minion Queen Banned
                    last edited by

                    Oh most everyone around here is "Special".

                    When we (NTG) do a job like this that is a one time thing. Our rates are based on a hourly prepaid block of hours. The larger the hour block they purchase the cheaper it gets. Our bottom rate is $150/hour. If they are looking of a long term contract than the bottom rate is more like $100/hour.

                    M 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                    • ?
                      A Former User
                      last edited by

                      same here. 150/hr for pure hourly. I don't sell blocks, but if a client bills regularly, I give them a discount 125-100.

                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                      • M
                        MrWright4hire @MattSpeller
                        last edited by

                        @MattSpeller

                        Matt why are you too crazy!! lol!!

                        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 2
                        • M
                          MrWright4hire @Minion Queen
                          last edited by MrWright4hire

                          @Minion-Queen said:

                          Oh most everyone around here is "Special".

                          When we (NTG) do a job like this that is a one time thing. Our rates are based on a hourly prepaid block of hours. The larger the hour block they purchase the cheaper it gets. Our bottom rate is $150/hour. If they are looking of a long term contract than the bottom rate is more like $100/hour.

                          Hello M. Queen. As a company you may be able to justify $150/hr due to overhead cost. However, as an individual, I don't have to pay employees, vehicles...etc. I just quoted him $80/hr. He was fine with that. As I grow, pray for me, I may have to bump up the price.
                          Does that make sense? If there is something I'm missing, please do educate me.

                          ? scottalanmillerS 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 0
                          • ?
                            A Former User @MrWright4hire
                            last edited by

                            @MrWright4hire said:

                            Hello M. Queen. As a company you may be able to justify $150/hr due to overhead cost. However, as an individual, I don't have to pay employees, vehicles...etc. I just quoted him $80/hr. He was fine with that. As I grow, pray for me, I may have to bump up the price.
                            Does that make sense? If there is something I'm missing, please do educate me.

                            That does not make sense. If you are planning on growing a business and client base. Starting out prices low just causes headaches later when everyone expects you to do the service at the same price. getting a client just because you have the lowest rate is never a good business decision, in fact you will only get the bad clients that no one wants that way. Even if you don't own a business yet you should calculate in potential overhead costs. Also when doing this stuff it's a good idea to have some sort of business licenses (LLC or S Corp or C Corp) and liability insurance.

                            MattSpellerM 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 2
                            • MattSpellerM
                              MattSpeller @A Former User
                              last edited by

                              @thecreativeone91 said:

                              Also when doing this stuff it's a good idea to have some sort of business licenses (LLC or S Corp or C Corp) and liability insurance.

                              ^^ Very good advice, especially when you're new and taking on the.... "special"... clients no one else wants heheh

                              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                              • Minion QueenM
                                Minion Queen Banned
                                last edited by Minion Queen

                                True that you don't have the same overhead that a bigger company may have. But are there are questions you should ask yourself when you start out. This is copied an pasted from about 100000 other posts to questions like this:

                                1. Use the Rule of Thirds when figuring out pricing: 1/3 for you 1/3 for overhead and a 1/3 for later.
                                2. Look at market value for other similar businesses in you area (what are they charging)
                                3. Price for Marketing value to what the businesses in your area need
                                4. Do you want to actually keep your customers? Then price yourself for the kinds of customers you want to have not the ones you do have. (customers actually believe that a higher paid person is better at their job, stupid yes but true)
                                5. DO NOT UNDERVALUE YOURSELF
                                6. DO NOT OVERSELL YOURSELF
                                7. PROTECT YOURSELF- get an accountant (at least consult with one every couple years), get a Lawyer use them to write your contracts, and become an LLC or a Corporation to protect your personal assets.
                                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 2
                                • scottalanmillerS
                                  scottalanmiller @MrWright4hire
                                  last edited by

                                  @MrWright4hire said:

                                  @thecreativeone91
                                  I agree, but how much would you charge per hour? I'm thinking $80.

                                  That's way below GeekSquad bench (non-IT) rates. No IT hourly work should be below $110 - 125/hr. If you fall below that you are falling below industry minimums. Anything below $110/hr in the US or Canada and you are into seriously devaluing yourself.

                                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                  • scottalanmillerS
                                    scottalanmiller @MrWright4hire
                                    last edited by

                                    @MrWright4hire said:

                                    @Minion-Queen said:

                                    Oh most everyone around here is "Special".

                                    When we (NTG) do a job like this that is a one time thing. Our rates are based on a hourly prepaid block of hours. The larger the hour block they purchase the cheaper it gets. Our bottom rate is $150/hour. If they are looking of a long term contract than the bottom rate is more like $100/hour.

                                    Hello M. Queen. As a company you may be able to justify $150/hr due to overhead cost. However, as an individual, I don't have to pay employees, vehicles...etc. I just quoted him $80/hr. He was fine with that. As I grow, pray for me, I may have to bump up the price.
                                    Does that make sense? If there is something I'm missing, please do educate me.

                                    No, does not make sense. You have it backwards. As you are not a company you have MORE costs. You have an employee to pay, you. What $80/hr says is that you are only charging for the overhead and doing the work for free - you don't value your own professional time. As a company we are more efficient with the "overhead" being handled by full time billing and project professionals and the IT work being done by people specialized in that specific work. If it is entry level work and a company can use an entry level resource, the company can do the work cheaper. As an individual, you cannot. You can only get cheaper by devaluing yourself.

                                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                    • scottalanmillerS
                                      scottalanmiller
                                      last edited by

                                      Also, when doing work as a company there is protection - lawyers, accountants, tax professionals, incorporation and other mechanisms. As an individual you take on much more risk. You lack the mechanisms and resources to protect yourself. You need to charge far more to make up for this.

                                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                      • Deleted74295D
                                        Deleted74295 Banned
                                        last edited by

                                        Just did the currency conversion, yeah the $80 is insanely cheap. I'd go bust at that. Mine is $130 for comparison as standard, discounted if it's bulk hours project work but for a one hour drop in and fix something it's $130.

                                        scottalanmillerS 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                        • Deleted74295D
                                          Deleted74295 Banned
                                          last edited by

                                          To help you out, because I'm in the exact same boat.

                                          My process for any job/task is a spread-sheet with macros, the fields are.

                                          Freelancer cost (Am I paying someone else)
                                          Travel Costs
                                          Misc Costs
                                          My cost of time per hour
                                          Hours needed
                                          Current costs
                                          Sale Price
                                          Gross profit
                                          Minus overhead percentage costs
                                          Minus unforseen expense costs
                                          Minus tax
                                          = Net Profit.

                                          It does the hard work for me, I just need to get the figures correctly, then I can price up an entire project.

                                          scottalanmillerS 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                          • scottalanmillerS
                                            scottalanmiller @Deleted74295
                                            last edited by

                                            @Breffni-Potter said:

                                            Freelancer cost (Am I paying someone else)

                                            Just be sure to include yourself here if you are the one doing the physical work. Never treat yourself as a "free" resource or that is exactly what you become.

                                            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                            • 1
                                            • 2
                                            • 1 / 2
                                            • First post
                                              Last post