Newbie: starting a small computer repair business...
 

I am a recently A+ certified semi-retired professional geologist with
good repair and computer skills who is thinking of starting a small,
work out of home, computer repair, upgrade and consulting business -
primarily aimed at the residential market making "house calls". I do
not want to set up a storefront, nor work for someone else.

Obviously I have never done this type of work before, in this type of
market. I would like some comment from EXPERIENCED techs who have done
or who are doing this sort of work and am particularly interested in:

1) reasonable rates to charge: what are they?
2) reasonable minimum call-out charges: what are they?
3) liability insurance issues: how much, do you need it?
4) billing issues: do you bill later or up front and what do you find
to be your bad debtor ratio?
5) work order isues: do you insist on customer signing "we are not
responsible for your data" work orders?

Any other ideas would be most welcome and appreciated.

Larry Gagnon
***************
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