How much should a client pay for a checkup + windows 10 install + activation
Hello there,
TLDR; got a call to check a computer out of the blue. The issue was with recovery mode not working no matter what I did even using the command prompt. Bought a 500gb ssd, spent around 4-5 hours, and stopping myself from downloading the work apps as that was what someone else did. Just don’t know how much it should cost for all that work. Thinking around $175 for the work being done. Not sure if that a good or low price.
Context
I recently got a rush call to check a businessman’s computer. It was a 3 day job but it wasn’t full days.
Day 1: just went to check the issue and also checked what to bring for day 2.
Day 2: after work, I went to work on the computer and I checked multiple things. He had issues with the monitor, windows recovery did not work even after trying to repair using a USB stick and following 4 written guides and 3-4 different videos.
I bought A 500gb ssd to use to see if the computer can have a fresh install of windows 10 as he uses it offline and I can set it up without internet. I tried windows 11 and it didn’t meet requirements. Just out of curiosity.
After seeing the ssd can get windows 10 running, I cloned the old ssd and used new ssd to see if it still gives an error, which it did. I told the guy that the issue was with the ssd he was using. The data was there but the ssd isn’t working as it should. Most likely it was forced shut down or a power outage happened while it was on.
I have the data of the old drive but without internet, I cannot download the programs he is using. He said there was a guy who set that up so that’s not something I would want to touch. He needed the computer before the workweek starts. But his guy isn’t available as he is on vacation.
I spend around 4 hours on the computer. And the computer does need the ssd to have his old ssd as a backup. I was just told to go past the blue screen. The apps are not something I’m not going to touch as I don’t even know what they are.
Day 3: it’s just a meeting with the guy to tell them what happened the day before as he wasn’t always there. And a fellow co worker of the place will give the wifi password to get access to the internet as I wasn’t given the password nor the name of the wifi. I was going to activate it windows and install office if he needs it on the quick. He said he had a small amount of apps but idk where he placed them as the ssd didn’t really have any infor and there was another ssd inside the system.
My question is that I plan to charge around $175 for the work that was done and that includes the cost of the ssd. I can’t charge professional pricing as I’m not a professional, just a hobbyist and I’m also not sure if that’s a good price. I was just told to get pass the blue screen not to install his apps. So I’m stopping there.