Job building computers

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  1. Posts : 70
    Windows 7 Ultimate X64
       #1

    Job building computers


    So I've spent the last 5-6 years and several thousand pounds studying for a career I dont want to do anyone. Aside from being broke, unemployed and bored I'm angry with myself for my wasting time getingt degrees I'm not gonna use anymore. However I need to be positive and find a job doing something that I enjoy. Which leads me on to my question... since I enjoy building computers is there a way I can get paid to do it? I've tried the big places in the UK like Scan, PCSpecialist, Morecomputers, etc and Mesh was the only site with a careers section on it but they had no vacancies. Is there are way to get a job doing this? Btw the only IT qualifications I have are a GCSE and A-level
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  2. Posts : 3,300
    Win7 Home Premium 64x
       #2

    I would start in local computer repair shops. Fixing comps is the best way to have lots of systems to mess with/up. Also It will add to your resume once you find that dream job.
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  3.    #3

    I dropped out of high school more than 20 years ago and have no qualifications that can be proven with a fancy piece of paper that says I know how to do what I've been doing since the 80s, but I make an average of $2500 a week building and fixing computers. It's not the level of education that's important.. it's finding something you are good at that happens to be worth money to someone. I've never had an employer. The way I got started was by word of mouth, and that's how I stay in business. So figure out what else you are good at, and find a way to make money doing it. Only by lucky coincidence do people find they enjoy doing something they get paid to do.
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  4. Posts : 3,300
    Win7 Home Premium 64x
       #4

    I agree with madtown. I have fixed comps in my past as self-employement/hobby, but never built computers myself. I am looking into this for personal experience, but you can make money without a business that pays you.
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  5. Posts : 5,440
    Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 7601 Multiprocessor Free Service Pack 1
       #5

    Hi Eggyuk
    Not wishing to be the pessimist here but to get into the business that you are looking for is extremely difficult, mainly due to the lack of demand. Of course there is a demand for quality built computers but excellent quality is available now with the big companies at very low cost! A small organisation or "one man band" hasn't the component buying power of the big companies. Yes you can give a personal service but PC users who are very demanding in there required specification will probably do a self build anyway. Those who may come to you to build a PC need to be within a reasonable catchment area to your domicile so first look at your potential customer base. I think you will be surprised how few people will fit
    your bill!
    To make a reasonable living I would think you would need to build at least 5 new computers every week. That means if you should ever want to take a weeks holiday you need to increase that weekly.
    The last consideration is how much you will have to pay for the OS for each PC. This will reduce your profit margin considerably.
    If you consider going "Self Employed" first write up a business plan showing where your potential customers might be and how many of them you could reasonably attract. Then do some component costings and work out you potential profit margins. Then take the lot to your local Bank and ask to see a new business consultant. Pick the right bank and you can get some very useful free advice. It's also worth talking to a local chartered accountant if you know one. Finally try talking to your local "Business Enterprise" people. Approach the Yorkshire County Council for a contact. They should be able to signpost you.
    Be prepared for a very hard slog. If it's worth doing it ain't easy. I'm retired now but I have been a small business mentor for some years so have a small amount of experience.
    GOOD LUCK anyway!
      My Computer

  6.    #6

    Some good points there. I make most of my money from laptop repairs and removing malware and other infections. The computers I do build are mainly for gaming or are custom built for a specific purpose. It is pretty easy to build a computer with the same specs as but better quality components than something you would see at Best Buy for less than it would cost to buy it off the shelf, but most of the clueless masses out there would just as soon buy a Dell, and wouldn't know the difference unless they had a custom built system with no factory bloatware to compare it to. None of the computers I've built have ever come back because of a premature hardware failure. That's what keeps me in business.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 7,878
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #7

    madtownidiot said:
    but I make an average of $2500 a week building and fixing computers.
    Holy cow....if that figure is accurate you are pulling down more loot than most of the IT professionals that I know. Congrats man, that is awesome. And is this all "under the table" so to speak...so you aren't paying signficant amounts of taxes on these earnings as well?
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 5,440
    Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 7601 Multiprocessor Free Service Pack 1
       #8

    Eggyut
    Just don't reckon on making 86,000 pounds a year. It just ain't gonna happen in Yorkshire, if it is I'll get my rusty bike out and get on the road to Leeds
      My Computer

  9.    #9

    pparks1 said:
    madtownidiot said:
    but I make an average of $2500 a week building and fixing computers.
    Holy cow....if that figure is accurate you are pulling down more loot than most of the IT professionals that I know. Congrats man, that is awesome. And is this all "under the table" so to speak...so you aren't paying signficant amounts of taxes on these earnings as well?
    I keep records of everything I earn and spend. That's the only way to keep a business afloat.. and I even report (most) of my cash deals.. the last thing I would want is the IRS taking it all back. It's actually down a bit from previous years.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 7,878
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #10

    Gotcha...so you are running this as an actual business then and filing a schedule C then? While this does mean a fair amount of tax...you seem to be making enough to cover it. Good deal man.
    Last edited by pparks1; 03 Mar 2010 at 14:39.
      My Computer


 
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