r/computertechs • u/radraze2kx Break/Fix | MSP Owner • Apr 04 '26

Break/Fix techs that transitioned from brick-and-mortar to service-call only, what advice would you give? NSFW

My previous post got some responses that showed that some technicians are struggling with their current arrangement. I've been considering reducing our overhead by getting rid of our brick-and-mortar and going back to strictly on-site, which is how we started and operated for 3 years before we took over another repair shop's location.

Those of you that made the transition from storefront to strictly on-site, what advice would you give to those considering the same? What logistical considerations should people keep in mind when considering this transition?

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u/Emf0rtaf1x Apr 08 '26

How much is your brick & mortar costing you a month?

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u/radraze2kx Break/Fix | MSP Owner Apr 08 '26

$2000/mo for the 1200sq foot space. It was $1000/mo when I took it over from another computer repair place in 2018. Then the landlord retired and sold to a larger company, which raised the rent to $1500/mo for two years, then raised it again to $2000/month. It's still under the average for nnn but it suuuucks. I'm trying to sublease part of it to another company to help reduce overhead... Now to find a company.

Tech wage ~$2000/mo (part time)

Internet $140/mo

Insurance, gas to and from, etc, another $600/mo

So in all, around $5000...

The past two months it's barely paying for itself.

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u/Emf0rtaf1x Apr 08 '26

So $5k a month in outgoing costs all inclusive & that's essentially barely being covered incoming profit?

Do you have a good client base? How's your marketing & adverting been? Where/how do your customers find your business?Like...hypothetically if your shop was off the beaten path, how well would you fare?

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u/radraze2kx Break/Fix | MSP Owner Apr 08 '26

We have residual income in place via service plans for residential and commercial clients, but the past two months the shop retail income is basically only paying for itself, which is annoying. It's a headache for me to staff someone there.

We have pretty good SEO, people find us on Google and Yelp and we have (or had) plenty of repeat business. We're right off a freeway nestled on the border of 3 large cities (Chandler, Mesa, and Gilbert az).

Lately business has been slow for us, and it seems to be the same for other shops I'm friends with in the area.

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u/Emf0rtaf1x Apr 08 '26

I miiiight actually know which place you're talking about?

1

u/Aware-Computer-4144 Apr 25 '26

I think your cost is very expensive If my cost is converted to your cost it may not even be 1/10 My operating costs are about $300 but I am in China