Friendly, patient tech help for you and your family. We come to YOU.
Computers, phones, tablets, printers, Wi-Fi, smart TVs, smart home devices, and SSD and RAM upgrades. I'll sit down with you at your kitchen table, fix what's wrong, and show you how it works. No rushing and no jargon.
Not sure what you need? Book a free phone call and we'll talk it through first.
What I work on
Fair prices by the hour. Choose a topic to see what I can do.
How a visit works
Reach out
Fill out the short questionnaire or call. We'll pick a time that suits you.
I come to you
I'll arrive on time and bring what I need. No hauling your computer anywhere.
We fix it together
I explain each step in plain English and take as long as you need.
You keep a written note
Before I leave, you get a simple summary of what I did and how to do it again, plus a digital receipt by email.
Getting ready for a visit: see the "Before I arrive" checklist
Live too far away to fix Mom's iPad?
I'll go to her, sort out whatever's wrong, and make sure she's protected from scam calls and emails. Afterward, I can send you a short update so you know everything is taken care of.
You can request and pay for a visit from anywhere. Your parent just has to open the door.
Fewer "the computer is broken again" phone calls for you. More patience and less frustration for them.
Not sure what's wrong or what Mom or Dad needs? Let's talk it through on the phone, free. I'll explain the problem and the possible fixes, with no obligation.
Book a free consultationMy promises to you
These are firm rules, so you never have to wonder.
- Simple, upfront pricingYou know the cost before I start, with no travel fee within 15 miles and discounts for seniors, teachers, first responders, military, and students.
- Your passwords stay yoursI'll help you set them up, but I never keep or write them down.
- Hands off your moneyI never log into your bank or handle payments on your behalf.
- No rushing, no talking downEvery question is a good question.
Host a Tech Talk
A free, friendly presentation for retirement communities, senior centers, churches, and clubs. I bring everything, including snacks and drinks for all attendees.
- Free of charge for your group
- Snacks and drinks for every attendee
- An easy-to-follow PowerPoint presentation
- Basic troubleshooting folks can do on their own
- Common tech issues and scams to watch out for
- Time for questions at the end
Looking for a useful program for your residents or members? Tell me about your group and pick a date that works for you.
Schedule a Tech TalkGive Mom and Dad the gift of tech help
Perfect for parents, grandparents, or anyone who's always asking you to fix their phone. Good for a house call or any dollar amount, and it comes with a patient visit at their own kitchen table.
A house call gift certificate is $75 and covers the first hour. Or choose your own amount.
Request a gift certificateWhere I travel
Based in Farmville. No travel fee within 15 miles of Farmville. Farther out? Travel can be discussed. We will make it work for you!
Everything I can help with
If it plugs in or connects to the internet, there's a good chance I can help. Don't see your problem listed? Just ask.
Desktops
- Slow computer tune-ups
- Virus and pop-up cleanup
- Windows and Mac updates
- New computer setup and moving your files
- Email setup and fixes
Laptops
- Setup and moving files from an old laptop
- Speed and battery troubleshooting
- Virus and scam cleanup
- Connecting to Wi-Fi and printers
- Video calling setup
Tablets
- iPad and Android tablet setup
- Bigger, easier-to-read text
- FaceTime and video calls with family
- Apps for reading, games, and news
- Photo sharing with family
Phones
- New phone setup and moving contacts
- Photo backup so nothing gets lost
- Blocking spam and scam calls
- Text messaging and voicemail help
- Patient portal and pharmacy apps
Printers
- New printer setup
- Getting the printer to talk to your computer or phone
- Wireless printing
- Scanning documents and photos
- Fixing "printer offline" errors
Wi-Fi
- New router and internet setup
- Fixing weak signal in far rooms
- Securing your network with a strong password
- Getting every device connected
- Troubleshooting dropped connections
Smart TVs
- Smart TV and streaming device setup
- Netflix, YouTube, and other apps
- Connecting your TV to Wi-Fi
- Simplifying remotes
- A cheat sheet for how to turn it all on
Smart Home Installations
- Video doorbells and security cameras
- Smart speakers like Alexa and Google
- Smart thermostats
- Smart lights and plugs
- Setting it all up on your phone
File Backup & Transfer
- Backing up photos, documents, and contacts
- Moving everything from an old device to a new one
- Cloud backup with iCloud, Google, or OneDrive
- External drive backups
- Saving files before an old computer is recycled
Hardware Upgrades
- SSD upgrades to make an older computer fast again
- RAM (memory) upgrades
- Moving everything from your old drive to the new one
- Help choosing the right parts
- Parts are not included in the hourly rate
Simple, upfront pricing
One fair rate for every house call. You'll always know the cost before I start, with no surprises and no "we'll see."
Includes the first hour
I come to your home or business and spend up to an hour fixing, setting up, and teaching.
After the first hour
For bigger jobs like a new computer setup or getting a whole house connected.
What a visit costs
| Length of visit | Total |
|---|---|
| 1 hour | $75 |
| 2 hours | $125 |
| 3 hours | $175 |
| 4 hours | $225 |
Most visits take about an hour. I'll let you know before going past the first hour.
Parts are not included in the hourly rate. That covers hardware upgrades like an SSD or RAM, plus equipment like a new router or cables. I only buy parts with your OK, and you pay what the parts cost.
No travel fee within 15 miles of Farmville. Farther out? Travel can be discussed. We will make it work for you!
A fair rate, and more included
Out-of-town and big-box in-home services typically charge $99 to $250 per visit, often plus travel fees. My house calls start at $75, and every visit includes:
- A free phone consultation before you book, so we can talk it through first
- No travel fee within 15 miles of Farmville
- Evening and weekend hours, including Sunday afternoons
- Discounts for seniors, teachers, first responders, military, and students
- A written note of what I did and how to do it again
- A digital receipt and detailed invoice, emailed on site
- My guarantee: if I can't fix it, you only pay the $75 house call
- A local, patient tech who explains everything in plain English
If I can't fix it, you only pay the $75 house call, never extra hours. I'll also tell you honestly what your options are.
Cash, check, tap to pay, Venmo, and PayPal accepted.
A digital receipt and detailed invoice are emailed to you on site for your records.
Discounts
A thank-you to the people who serve and support our community. Just mention it when you book. Discounts apply to labor, not parts.
- Senior citizens10% offFor our older neighbors
- Teachers & school administrators10% offIncluding school staff
- First responders & military15% offActive duty and veterans
- Students15% offWith a current student ID
One discount per visit.
Hi, I'm Jacob Epps
Born and raised in Southside Virginia. Husband and father.
I've spent my career helping people when something goes wrong. I started as a 911 dispatcher for Prince Edward County and the Town of Farmville, where staying calm, listening carefully, and talking people through a stressful moment was the whole job.
From there I moved into IT and served four years as lead help desk technician at Longwood University, training a team of student technicians and helping thousands of students, faculty, and staff with their computers, phones, and accounts. Today I run the help desk for a local power provider.
I started JAE Technical Services because I kept hearing the same thing from neighbors: getting tech help means a long drive, a phone menu, or someone talking over your head. I'd rather sit down at your kitchen table, fix the problem, and make sure you know how to handle it next time.
- 10+ yearsof technical experience
- 15,000+tech support requests resolved
- 4 yearsleading the Longwood University help desk
My background
- Emergency services911 dispatchPrince Edward County and the Town of Farmville
- Four yearsLead Help Desk Technician, Longwood UniversitySupporting about 6,000 students, faculty, and staff
- TodayRunning the help desk for a local power providerComputers, tablets, iPads, and hardware and software installation, every day
- TodayJAE Technical ServicesPatient, local tech help, right at your kitchen table
A little more about me
- HometownBorn and raised in Southside Virginia
- FamilyHusband and father
- AwardLongwood Faculty & Staff Citizen Leader Award, 2026
- CommunityMember, Farmville Rotary Club
Honest. Patient. Respectful.
That's how I work in every home I visit.
- HonestI'll tell you what's wrong, what it costs, and whether it's worth fixing, even if the answer is "you don't need me for this." I never keep your passwords or touch your money.
- PatientNo rushing and no jargon. I explain each step in plain English and leave you a written note so you can do it again.
- RespectfulOf your home, your time, and your questions. I show up when I say I will, and there's no such thing as a silly question.
What neighbors are saying
Real reviews from people I've helped.
Leave a review
It takes about a minute and helps your neighbors find patient, local tech help. Thank you!
Write a reviewQuestions and answers
Answers to the questions people ask most. Don't see yours? Call or text (434) 603-2824.
Before I arrive
A few things to have ready so we can spend your time fixing, not searching.
- Your passwords and account infoEspecially your Apple ID or Google account, email, and Wi-Fi password. Keep them nearby; I won't write them down.
- Chargers and cablesHave the devices we're working on charged or plugged in.
- A note of what's going wrongAny error messages, when it started, and anything you've already tried.
- Boxes or paperwork for new devicesIf we're setting up something new, keep the box and any papers it came with.
Book a free phone consultation and we'll talk through the problem and the possible fixes before anything else.
Book a free consultation- Do you work on Macs, iPhones, and iPads?
- Yes. I work with Windows computers, Macs, iPhones, iPads, Android phones and tablets, and Chromebooks.
- What if you can't fix it?
- You only pay the $75 house call, never extra hours. I'll also tell you honestly what your options are, whether that's a repair shop, a replacement, or living with it.
- Is the phone consultation really free?
- Yes. It's a phone call to talk through the problem and possible fixes, with no obligation to book a visit.
- Can I book a visit for my mom or dad?
- Absolutely. Fill out the request form for them and choose "A parent or family member." I'll coordinate with you, and I can send you a short update after the visit.
- Does someone need to be home during the visit?
- Yes. Someone should be home for the whole visit so I can ask questions and show you what I did.
- How do I pay?
- Cash, check, tap to pay, Venmo, and PayPal are all accepted. A digital receipt and detailed invoice are emailed to you on site for your records.
- Are parts included?
- No. Parts like an SSD, RAM, or a new router are not included in the hourly rate. I only buy parts with your OK, and you pay what the parts cost.
- Do you offer discounts?
- Yes. Seniors and teachers or school administrators get 10% off. First responders, military, and students get 15% off. Discounts apply to labor, not parts, and it's one discount per visit.
- Do you charge for travel?
- No travel fee within 15 miles of Farmville. Farther out? Travel can be discussed. We will make it work for you!
- How much does a Tech Talk cost?
- Nothing. Tech Talks are free for your group, and I provide snacks and drinks for all attendees along with a PowerPoint presentation.
- Do you offer gift certificates?
- Yes. Gift certificates are available for a house call ($75) or any dollar amount. Request one here.
- Do you help small businesses?
- Yes. I help local shops and offices with computers, Wi-Fi, email, printers, and backups.
How can I help?
Answer a few quick questions and I'll get back to you to set up a time.