This question is occasionally asked by new clients. It is difficult to answer without qualification as some clients already have an unreal expectation of how much it should cost per hour to repair their Computer, often without any real knowledge of the skills and professionalism involved to achieve the desired and technically correct results.

There are many avenues available to the Computer owner to have their Computer repaired when it is not functioning correctly.

• Reload Software, fiddle around and pray that it will fix itself overnight.          

• Ask a relative or friend who "knows all about Computers" to help.                      

• Join  a Computer Group and learn some Servicing Techniques.

• Disconnect everything and take the Computer to the Local Computer Store.

• Complain to anyone who will listen and blame Microsoft for the problem.

Or engage a professional who actually understands the problem and has the knowledge, experience and skills needed to complete the repair properly.

A Computer is no different from any other machine such as a motor vehicle. If you look after your car and have it properly serviced at regular intervals and repaired when something is not functioning correctly it will provide you with safe and reliable transportation.           

Some Computer users have high expectations of Computer reliability compounding the expectation of how much it should cost to have it professionally repaired. Some users are prepared to pay whatever the price for hardware but neglect the software or use illegally sourced software.

The "software" was free... so the repairs should also be free.. It's only software!!

Countless problems are caused by software which is either not installed or configured correctly, is corrupted by something, maybe a virus, or simply is not suitable for use in the situation. To understand and correct software and hardware problems requires good technical knowledge, years of experience and professional skills.

Many new enquiries for service occur after the user has tried one or more of the options and failed or sometimes even made the problems much worse.                   

My standard answer to anyone who questions the hourly rate is...

• Do you want it repaired promptly and professionally.

• Is it the total price or the hourly rate which is important to you.

• Do you want to be assured the solution to your problem is correct

• How important is your data and do you want to preserve the data

Simple repairs can be tackled by many users or their family and friends however the more difficult ones may need the knowledge of a professional to diagnose and affect the correct repair.  In desperation the DOS format command "Format C: /Q" issued from a boot diskette will fix all software problems. The Operating System and all software will then need to be re-installed.

Be sure to backup all the important data beforehand. If the problems turn out to be Hardware then this procedure will not fix the issue.. This is then a frustrating and time wasting event.

Many new clients come from referrals and generally do not enquire so much about hourly rates but how soon can I visit them and repair the problem. They are already assured by their friend or relative that the work will be done correctly, promptly, professionally and at a price which is commensurate with the value of the Computer and the important data held on the Hard Drive.

A final note:

If the hourly rate was $100 per hour on-site and the job took 75 minutes ($125) then surely this a better result then an hourly rate of $50 and the job taking many hours over some days and ending up costing much more then $125 and perhaps the loss of valuable data. Most professional consultants charge a similar hourly price for their services and normally will provide information on how to avoid future problematic situations.

A recent survey in "The Age" shows hourly rates for professional on-site Computer service vary from $85.00 to $120.00 per hour PLUS travelling charges.