Foo - IT job question. How much should I charge?

I used to work part time at a local car dealership several years ago in the Parts dept. I got a call from my old boss asking if I'd like to do PT work at 2 locations regarding mainly Desktop Support related issues, primarily involving PC imaging and maintenance. I'm currently a mon-fri 8-5 Desktop support guy for another company so my work would be in the evenings or weekends. One location is 20mi away, while the other is about 40mi away. What would you charge just to drive out to each location? Would you then simply work on an hourly rate? I'd like to hear from the IT folks that do similar work, as I've never been confronted with this type of request. This may be too broad of a question, but thought it was worth a shot. Thanks

You need to find out if you'd be considered a contractor or an employee. If a contractor, you charge for mileage + an hourly rate.

I typically charge $100/150 dollars an hour for ERP Contract work so I am of no halp here.

Couch

I used to work part time at a local car dealership several years ago in the Parts dept. I got a call from my old boss asking if I'd like to do PT work at 2 locations regarding mainly Desktop Support related issues, primarily involving PC imaging and maintenance. I'm currently a mon-fri 8-5 Desktop support guy for another company so my work would be in the evenings or weekends. One location is 20mi away, while the other is about 40mi away. What would you charge just to drive out to each location? Would you then simply work on an hourly rate? I'd like to hear from the IT folks that do similar work, as I've never been confronted with this type of request. This may be too broad of a question, but thought it was worth a shot. Thanks


Here is what I have charged

$35 trip charge

$75 - $125 per hour.

I don't know the answer here, but judging by the other responses, I owe myself a raise!!!

I typically charge $100/150 dollars an hour for ERP Contract work so I am of no halp here.

Couch

What is ERP?

Figure out how much you make an hour, add 25%. Charge that, with a two hour minimum.

What is ERP?
A sad joke with no punchline (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enterprise_resource_planning), if you ask me. But then we use SAP. :innocent:

I work on medical equipment most my side jobs are for Dr's or clinics....normally I'll charge between 50-200 bucks a hour depending on what the equipment is....Defibs and lifesupport equipment = 200 bucks. minor IT (PACS system) work is normally 50-75.

A sad joke with no punchline (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enterprise_resource_planning), if you ask me. But then we use SAP. :innocent:

I use JDE. You fail!

Couch

Use this equation as your starting point.

http://www.blogkindle.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/kindle-dx-math-formula.gif

But add mileage to it, because I don't think that's covered in there. Here is the mileage portion.
http://www.iwillteachyoutoberich.com/archives/ramitatMIT.jpg

Time in fixed increments like .25 or .5 hrs. Since most of the work is after hours and weekends you should bill the travel time as well starting with a minimum, like 2 hrs. The rate is up to you.

Great. Thanks for all the input guys. This gives me a general idea on what to charge. Much appreciated. :thumb:

One other thing I used to do is have minimum charges so that I wasn't called in for something that really wasn't worth getting dressed for. I used to have a 4 hour minimum charge. I am not suggesting that, just a point of reference.

One Million Dollars!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11

http://www.gamearena.com.au/res/2007/images/features/custom/singlefeatures/dr_evil_one_million_dollars.jpg

I think the more important point is that you already work excessive hours. 8-5 is a nine hour work day. This means you are going to pile more work hours into your already excessive time spent working each week. Consider what it will do to your personal life, your stress levels etc. Do you actually *need* to work more?

What would you charge just to drive out to each location? Would you then simply work on an hourly rate? I'd like to hear from the IT folks that do similar work, as I've never been confronted with this type of request. This may be too broad of a question, but thought it was worth a shot. Thanks

I charge travel time for new clients if travel exceeds one hour from wherever I'm called. Travel time is charged at whatever the initial hourly rate was set to. It's really up to you, though you should always be prepared for resistance.

I think the more important point is that you already work excessive hours. 8-5 is a nine hour work day. This means you are going to pile more work hours into your already excessive time spent working each week. Consider what it will do to your personal life, your stress levels etc. Do you actually *need* to work more?

If you're (OP) still reading this post, I'd look over this if you haven't taken it into consideration.

I do IT consulting on the side, and tending to service requests will definitely take time out of days you would rather keep to yourself. If you're fine with that, then there's nothing to worry about.

Factor in opportunity costs too. If you are doing desktop support, you likely won't be able to find better work elsewhere.

Me, I go by the job and the person. For example, if it is someone who can put in a good word for me, I'll just do it pro bono, or for gas/beer money. By the hour, I charge $50-$100, billed every half hour, min 2 hours. By the project, it may be different. I charge a premium because I don't just fix a problem, I write documentation and leave it with the client so they know what exactly I did. This way, someone else could pick up where I left off if needed, not to mention the CYA value in case someone changes something around.

and don't forget that if you're a contractor, you'll also have self-employment tax issues on any earnings

earlier poster suggestions to add 25 percent are good - but stash away 25 percent for Club Fed and perhaps your state or local tax

you don't say how many hours total work time or length of time, but you should find out if you're going to get a 1099 early next year on the job (over $600 total pay):

http://www.ieee.org/portal/pages/services/financial/tax/1099confinfo.html

or from the Evil Ones:

http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i1099msc.pdf