Offering basic tech help and device setup to neighbors, family friends, and local small businesses is an excellent way for a teenager to make money. These services usually require a small set of inexpensive tools (often under $100 total), a clear checklist for common tasks, and good communication skills. This long-form guide explains which services are in demand, how to organize simple troubleshooting and setup workflows, how to safely work in clients’ homes, pricing strategies, marketing ideas that work for teens, and ways to scale. It also lists practical Amazon items (affiliate links with your tag) you can buy today to get started.

What “basic tech help” means and why people pay for it

Basic tech help covers small, frequent tasks non-technical users find frustrating: setting up a new phone, moving photos to a new device, cleaning up a slow laptop, configuring Wi‑Fi, connecting a printer, or helping someone learn video calls. Homeowners and small-business owners prefer a local, dependable person who can handle these tasks quickly and explain them in plain language. As a teen, your combination of recent tech familiarity and flexible availability often gives you a natural edge over older service providers who charge more and may be less available for short jobs.

Because many tasks are short (30–90 minutes), it’s possible to pack several jobs into a weekend and earn a meaningful hourly equivalent. More important than speed is trust: clients want someone who shows up on time, backs up data before making changes, and documents what was done.

Three core service categories you can offer

1) Device setup & migration

Install and configure new phones, laptops, or tablets; transfer contacts, photos, and basic settings from old devices to new ones; sign into essential accounts (email, iCloud, Google). These jobs are ideal for teens because they are discrete and easy to price. Example tasks: move photos from an old phone to a new phone and set up the email on the new device.

2) Troubleshooting & performance fixes

Diagnose slow laptops, remove obvious malware/adware (starter-level checks), free up disk space, and optimize startup programs. Keep a clear scope: your job is to improve performance for general use, not to repair hardware problems beyond simple things like reseating RAM or replacing batteries (which require parental or adult supervision).

3) Home network assistance & smart device setup

Configure home Wi‑Fi routers, connect printers, set up smart speakers, and help with basic streaming device setup. For network issues, learn to identify whether a problem is local (router settings) or upstream (ISP) and how to escalate accordingly.

Essential skills to learn (practical and easy to pick up)

You don’t need a degree to offer these services—just a set of reliable habits and a few technical skills:

  • Backing up data reliably (cloud backups, USB transfer).
  • Basic troubleshooting: reproduce the problem, isolate variables, and test fixes.
  • Safe browsing and malware basics: run reputable antivirus scans, understand phishing signs, and remove obvious adware using standard tools.
  • Account setup and two-factor basics (explain to clients why 2FA matters and how to use it safely).
  • Good documentation and communication: write short, clear visit notes for the client.

Practice on your family’s devices and build short checklists for common tasks. For example, a phone setup checklist includes steps like: update OS, sign in to Apple/Google account, enable backups, transfer photos, and configure email.

Low-cost tools that make you look professional (affiliate picks)

A small set of physical tools and accessories covers the majority of entry-level tech jobs and keeps your costs low. A direct, widely-used product for backups is a USB flash drive — the AmazonBasics 32GB USB flash drive is affordable and reliable for quick photo and document transfers, and is a practical purchase as you start offering backup and migration services: AmazonBasics 32GB USB Flash Drive.

Other essential, inexpensive items you should consider:

Two repeatable checklists you should memorize

Phone/Laptop Setup & Migration — Quick Checklist

  1. Confirm client identity and which accounts to use (involve a parent for minors).
  2. Back up old device (cloud and/or USB drive).
  3. Sign in to new device with client account and enable backups.
  4. Transfer photos, contacts, and messages where possible.
  5. Install essential apps and configure email.
  6. Show client basic navigation (how to back up regularly, how to contact you for follow-ups).

Slow Laptop Troubleshoot — Quick Checklist

  1. Ask about symptoms and reproduce the issue.
  2. Check disk space and clear large temp files.
  3. Run a malware/adware scan using a reputable free tool (document the result).
  4. Check startup programs and disable unnecessary items.
  5. Run system updates; if HDD is nearly full consider advising an SSD upgrade (note: hardware upgrades require adult supervision).

Pricing—how to charge fairly and competitively

Simple pricing models work best for teens: an hourly rate, fixed prices for common services, and packages for recurring work.

  • Hourly rate: $20–$50 depending on local market and complexity (local suburbs vs urban centers vary widely).
  • Fixed prices for common tasks: phone setup $25–$60, basic laptop tune-up $40–$80, printer setup $15–$40.
  • Subscription or maintenance plan: monthly check-ins (remote or in-person) for $20–$40/month for seniors or small-business users who want ongoing help.

Start conservative and adjust with testimonials. Always state cancellation and no-show policies (e.g., 24-hour notice or a small booking fee for long-distance visits). For minors, route payments through a parent-managed account—this protects you and the client and satisfies marketplace rules for many payment platforms.

How to find clients safely and ethically

Use trusted local channels and protect yourself with transparency and parental involvement:

  • Family and neighbors: the first clients are often people who already know and trust you.
  • Community boards (Nextdoor, local Facebook groups): clear, short posts that list services, prices, and a contact phone number.
  • Flyers at libraries, community centers, and school bulletins (ask permission from the school first).
  • Offer a free short consultation or a discounted first task to encourage trial.

Always meet in public spaces or with a parent present for the first in-person visit. Keep a clear record of work performed and get written approval for any invasive or irreversible actions (like deleting files or replacing hardware). This both protects you legally and builds trust.

Marketing templates and scripts that work

Use short, direct language in your outreach. Example Nextdoor post:

Hi neighbors — I’m [Your Name], a local high school student offering basic tech help: phone and laptop setup, photo backup, and Wi‑Fi help. Starting price for phone setup: $25. Parental oversight and references available. DM or call [phone].

Email/Message follow-up template after a job:

Hi [Client Name], thanks for having me today. Summary of work: [short bullets]. Next steps: [if any]. Total due: $[amount]. Payment methods: cash, Venmo (parent-approved). — [Your Name]

Common problems, red flags, and when to escalate

Be aware of situations you shouldn’t handle alone as a teen:

  • Suspected criminal activity (illegal files) — escalate to a parent or law enforcement, do not engage.
  • Hardware repairs that require soldering, capacitor replacements, or opening power supplies — these require adult supervision or a professional technician.
  • Clients asking for illegal software or bypassing account security — refuse and explain why.

Documentation, invoicing, and bookkeeping

Keep records of every job (date, client, service performed, amount charged). Simple spreadsheets work well. For invoicing use a short template or free invoice generator and keep receipts for supplies for tax reporting. Parents can help set up a simple bank account or payment flow to collect funds and keep records accurate for tax time.

Scaling your tech-help side hustle

Once you have steady clients and references, consider these growth moves:

  • Add remote support sessions using screen-sharing tools (charge a lower hourly rate for remote work).
  • Offer workshops for local seniors—group classes on phone basics, video calls, or online safety.
  • Partner with other teen tech helpers to handle more complex jobs and split revenue.
  • Invest in a small portfolio website and simple scheduling form to appear professional.

Resources & further reading

For a basic overview of computer maintenance and support concepts, see the Wikipedia article on Computer repair (Wikipedia).

Recommended items to get started: