Welcome to our Frequently Asked Questions page.  We hope that you will find the answer to what you are looking for.  If you do not find your answer, please feel free to submit your questions and we will answer as soon as possible.

General Questions
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[su_spoiler title=”What Are Your Fees?”]
In most cases, we use one of the two following billing structures:

• $35 per hour – personal home – home office computers only
• $75 per hour – for businesses

Pricing does not include tax.  All jobs will be taxed at 8.25%[/su_spoiler]
[su_spoiler title=”Payment Policy”]
We welcome all customers to our service. We have a small variation of payment policies in place. We know that one will be right for your situation.  In most cases, payment is due at the time of service rendered.  Business that are approved for payments will be granted the option to pay at time of service or submit payment later.[/su_spoiler]
[su_spoiler title=”What Forms Of Payment Do You Accept?”]
We are proud to offer a variety of payment options to our customers. For certain jobs, we may require certain payments options, this is to both protect ourselves and you are customer. We have listed all of our payment options in order of preference. We do offer a discount for payments made in cash. That discount will be provided at the time of billing.

Our payment options are:

• Cash
• Check – Personal or Business (with proper ID¹) online, mailed or hand delivered
• Visa Card*
• MasterCard*
• Discover Card*
• American Express*
• Bank Debit Card with Visa or MasterCard Logo²
• PayPal
• Google Checkout

* For credit cards, we may require a signature for all new customers, when payment is made on location.  Credit card payments can be submitted online as well, click here for more information.  After a period of service, we may or may not require a signature, it just depends on the amount that is being charged.

¹ Check payments are accepting with proper ID.  If you pay by paper check, your check may be converted to electronic format as allowed by law and presented to your bank for payment.  All returned checks (account closed, NSF, or similar) are subject to electronic conversion and collection for the face value of the check plus the state allowed fee of $30.

² If you bank issued debit card has the Visa or MasterCard logo on them and can be used as either a PIN based debit card or a signature based card (like a credit card) we can process payments through them as well.  We do not offer the ability to use your PIN number, you will have to sign for your payment.  We do not offer cash back.

Online and/or Credit Card Payment Information – Continued

When we accept a Credit Card or Visa/MasterCard Debit Card, on your bank/billing statement, you will see our business name Chris Hodgdon’s Computer Service or a varation thereof. Our business name on the information line may start with a SQ* or other similar notation.[/su_spoiler]
[su_spoiler title=”What Services Do You Provide?”]
We offer a variety of service to both home, home business, small business and medium businesses. These services range from network installation and repair to data recovery and software installation. For a complete list of our services, you can look at General Services above in the menu. If you do not see what you are looking for, please use the Contact Us page and send your request. We will be happy to talk to you about our services and programs that we have available.[/su_spoiler]
[su_spoiler title=”What Are Your Prices?”]
Pricing varies depending on what your are looking for. Some items, such as custom computers, the pricing can change regularly do to changes in pricing of components that are use. Other pricing is based on the environment the work is being done in. This means whether your setup is a business or individual home user.  For services that have a fixed or hourly rate, you will usually find them listed on the site.  If you don’t please contact us for more information.  All pricing whether listed on the website, flyer’s, ads, verbal or otherwise do not include sales tax.  All Texas customers are required to pay 8.25% sales tax, unless a valid sales tax exemption/use letter is on file.  Since all of our services are considered sold to end users, generally only non-profits, churches and other exempt organization do not have to pay sales tax.  If you are not sure, please contact us for confirmation.

If you need to download a blank Sale/Use Tax Resale Certificate or Sale/Use Tax Exemption Certificate, click on their names.

Texas customers, please be aware that when you submit a fully completed Sale/Use Tax Resale Certificate or Sale/Use Tax Exemption Certificate, we will scan that document into our computer systems and link it to your customer account, so that, unless you change any of the information, we will already have it on record and you do not need to submit a new one.[/su_spoiler]
[su_spoiler title=”Downloadable Documents”]
All download-able documents located on this site are provided in PDF format. You will need to have the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the files. Some files contain fillable form boxes that you can type the information into and print out the completed form.  If you need to get a copy or update your current copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader, you may do so for free by visiting Adobe.[/su_spoiler]
[su_spoiler title=”Do You Provide Computer Forensic (Investigation) Services?”]
Not at this time.  We currently have an outside company that we contract with to handle computer forensics (investigations).  If you have a need for this service, we will contact our provider and relay the information to help get their service started.  This company is a licensed Private Security Agency in the State of Texas and services will be provided by a registered Private Investigator or a technician working under the guidance of the Investigator.  This company sets its own pricing, which will be provided when they contact you to setup your investigation.

We are working to include this type of program as a direct service to our customers, so please check out our website in the future for more information.[/su_spoiler]
[su_spoiler title=”Do You Build Custom Computers?”]
Yes, we have the ability to design and build custom computers for your needs.  We will work with you to determine what you are looking for in your computer system, from type of case to motherboards and more.  Pricing for custom computers will be based on current component pricing.  Once you have agreed to the final version of the design, we will issue a quote to build your computer.  All custom computer quotes are valid at the listed price for 15 days after submission, then increase 15% for the next 15 days.  After the 30 day period, the quote will become invalid and you will have to submit a new request.

All custom builds will be designed with Windows 7 (or the newest operating system), unless you wish to have installed some type of Linux operating system.  Why not use Windows XP Professional, see next question.

All custom builds must be paid for before production will begin.  For new customers, custom built computers, work stations (desktop), laptop and servers will be ordered once funds have cleared the bank.[/su_spoiler]
[su_spoiler title=”What Operating System Do You Recommend?”]
If you are a Windows users, we recommend that you upgrade to Windows 7.  Which version of Windows 7 do you need, will depend on your needs.  For the normal home user, Windows 7 Home Premium is what is recommended.  This contains all the best parts of Windows XP and Windows Media Center and a few basic business options.  For a business setting, regardless of small office/home office, small business, medium business or large sized business, Windows 7 Professional or Ultimate are recommended and in some cases required.

If you are trying to decide between Windows 7 Professional and Windows 7 Ultimate, there is not much of a difference between the two.  The main differences is that Ultimate include BitLocker encryption, AppLocker, and several other high end business options.  Unless you need those options, which similar options can be found for free on the Internet, Windows 7 Professional will be your best option.

While we like Windows XP and provide support for it, Microsoft has made it clear that it will not be supported after April 2014.  After this date, there will no longer be any security updates, patches or any other type of support for Windows XP.  Please contact us to help you determine if your current computer is able to be upgrade to Windows 7 and we will be happy to assist you in this transition.[/su_spoiler]
[su_spoiler title=”How Long Are Quotes Valid For?”]
All Quotes, Bids and/or Estimates a valid for 30 days from submission to customer, unless noted in the exceptions listed below or included in writing on the form submitted to the customer.

Quotes for custom built computers are valid for 15 days after submission, then increases 15% for the next 15 days.  After 30 days, the custom built computer quote will become invalid and you will have to submit a new request.  The reason for this is that components used to build computers are changing on a very regular basis, depending on many factors.  Sometimes events take place, such as a disaster, that will drasticly affect the pricing of components.

We reserve the right to admend quotes, bids and/or estimates if there is a need for the adjustment.[/su_spoiler]
[su_spoiler title=”What Is Remote Support?”]
Remote Support, either throught TeamViewer, LogMeIn, Remote Desktop or some similar operation, allows us to work on your computer from another location.  We will be able to login to your computer and in most cases be able to determine and correct any problems that you are having.

Remote Support is a great option that allows us to work on systems after hours without the need for you, your employees or us to be physically at your location.  This means you are not spending money on payroll to have someone there while we work on your computers.

Remote Support is billed differently than normal support work, so please contact us for our current pricing.  Remote Support is billed on a per incident event.[/su_spoiler]