Rates

My rates compare favorably to the prevailing computer services rates!

Why?  Because when you hire Columbia Computer Consulting to do a job, you are hiring the owner!  You aren't paying a middle-man that shaves off a hefty percent then sends a low-paid hourly computer geek to help you.

Rates
My rate is $70 per hour with a one hour minimum, billed in 30 minute increments beyond one hour.  If you're within Columbia then there is no charge for the drive time to reach you -- the clock starts when I arrive at your door.  For travel outside Columbia, the charge is $1.00 per mile, one-way travel distance, regardless of drive time.  The rate clock still starts when I arrive at your door.

Since I bill services by time rather than task, then you can use your time any way you see fit.  If I do a job that takes only thirty or forty-five minutes, I'll stay the full hour if you like (to meet the one hour minimum billing) to help you with other problems or areas of concern.

If it takes a lot of research to resolve your issues then I generally make an adjustment to the final bill.  In other words, if it takes ten hours to solve a problem because I spent five hours researching it, I will not bill you for ten full hours of work.  The client is not expected to fund my research/educational efforts -- only for actual, progressive work.  Unique problems may require such research, but then I'm better armed for future occurrences of that problem.

Some services can be performed remotely.  For remote-based service, the rate is still $70 per hour, but the minimum is only thirty minutes, instead of the regular one hour minimum for a personal visit.  A high speed internet connection (cable or DSL) is required for remote-based services.  And, of course, your computer must be operating sufficiently well to be remotely controlled.  Note that remote service may take a bit longer since nothing beats sitting at the computer in question.  But for quick jobs, I can still probably do it for less than the in-person minimum charge.  Remote control assistance is especially suited for training and tutorial consulting.  Remote consulting is especially suited for a quick "how-to" session.

Note:  Rates are for services only.  Some recommended software and security tools may require purchase from the respective vendors.  I make no referral money on such purchases.  I will assist with the mechanics of making the purchase, if necessary, then properly install and configure the products.  But any software requiring purchase must be paid-for by the client.

Other Service Providers
Some service providers may charge a flat rate to perform a service, regardless of the time it takes.  This may sound like a good deal, since you know your cost is fixed, even if the job takes all day.  But most jobs don't take long so charges can be really high when figured by the hour.

For instance, at least one national service provider who advertises locally charges $159 (as of Nov 2005) to setup a wireless network for two computers.  This normally takes an hour or so.  If you've already bought the right equipment, the job can nearly always be done in one hour.  Cost?  The minimum rate:  $70 for one hour of work -- less than half of what the other guys charge.  The same company also charges $159 for one hour of personal face-to-face training.  I charge $70 for one hour, less than half the rate per hour.

How can I do this?  Because you are hiring the owner, not a middle-man who sends an employee.

Response Time
My regular working hours are 9am to 5pm, 7 days a week.  If you call within these hours and I'm not currently with a client, then I'll be right over, almost always within one hour.  How's THAT for response time?