When it comes to deciding who you choose to do a computer repair, it’s a hard decision to make. You want to find someone you can trust and who won’t charge astronomic fees.
Entrusting your computer to a reliable firm is, therefore, one of the most important aspects to consider when your PC has stopped working.
So how do you distinguish between a trustworthy PC repair service and one that’s not worth your time and money?
Proper research is the key. The more time you spend comparing service providers, the higher your chances to find a reliable one.
Why Is a Good Computer Repair Service So Important?
When it comes to getting their computer repaired, most people very rarely back up their files. Statistics show that only 39 percent of Americans take this step.
That’s a worrying statistic considering that if your computer breaks down and you need to repair it, you’ll risk losing all of your pictures, memories, and files.
For this reason, it’s essential to prepare and have a backup. It’s even more important to make sure you’re taking your PC to a repair shop that will protect your data and recover it successfully.
It’s not unusual for people to pay as much as $500 for specialized data recovery options to get back the files on damaged hard drives.
The question is: what should you look for when searching for a high-quality computer repair service? Here are some tips to help you out!
1. High Ratings and Reviews
If you can get a recommendation from somebody you know, that’s the best place to start. Often, people will be able to give you a realistic view of the best computer repair services based on their own experiences.
Also, go online and search for ratings and reviews. Make sure to check out places that are often overlooked, such as Google and Facebook pages as well as other review boards like Yelp.
Read the feedback left by other customers. See if their expectations have been met. Sometimes, a repair center will charge customers $300, but they will still give a five-star rating for what should have been a $75 job.
If they’re unaware of what prices to expect, the reviews can give you a clear picture. Always make sure to dig into the comments, and if in doubt, do a little recon in a local shop.
2. Pay a Reasonable Price
Computer repair costs between $60 and $80 on average. It depends on the type of repair as well as on the computer’s age, brand, and tech specs.
It’s worth remembering that many PC firms can charge by the hour. The expected fees may not include the cost of hardware or parts.
For example, you may expect to pay for a diagnosis and a fresh install of an operating system around $75. However, if you need to have a new hard drive fitted as well, your costs may well nearly double.
3. Make Sure They Guarantee the Work
Any reputable computer repair center should provide a guarantee for their work. If you have new hardware, you will get a manufacturer’s standard guarantee for the parts, but not for the labor of fitting.
A computer firm may give you a guarantee for the work they have performed from anywhere between 28 days and 90 days or sometimes even more. Always check what the guarantees cover, with software being a particularly tricky thing to question.
Some firms may refuse a repair under guarantee if they believe you caused the damage through an unrelated issue, such as a virus.
4. Check If There Is a Minimum Charge and a Cost Limit
Any work requiring a specialized engineer to look at a piece of equipment will cost extra. What you want to avoid is an engineer who charges you $90 per hour and takes nine hours to fix your problem.
Always check what the minimum cost is and what’s included in that cost. Some firms will give a hardware diagnostics, for example. Ask beforehand if there are any extra fees you should be aware of.
You should also ask about setting a cost limit.
This is when you agree on a maximum price based on what the engineers expect the fault to be. If the repairs exceed that cost, they will need to consult you first, and then you can make an informed decision on what to do.
5. Ask Upfront If There Are Any Hidden Costs
As with any repair services, there will always be those hidden costs that you don’t anticipate. Make sure you have a good idea of what the costs associated may be.
A reliable firm will tell you all the pricing upfront.
It’s also worth checking what fees they charge if they cannot resolve the problem or if it’s uneconomical to repair. In some cases, the repair would cost more than buying a new computer.
Hidden costs can include separate costs for data backup as well as installation costs for fitting parts.
6. Find a Repair Service Company That Talks in Plain English
When it comes to technical repairs, there is a lot of jargon and mumbo-jumbo that the average John Doe won’t understand.
When experts start talking about malware, CMS, or a damaged SATA cable, most people will have no idea what’s happening.
Find a repair center that will tell you in plain English exactly what’s gone wrong, how they are going to fix it, and what the expected costs can be. This is one of the most important things to look for in a computer repair service.
Make a Smart Decision
Now you know exactly what to look for when getting your computer repaired. You also have peace of mind knowing that you’ll be paying a fair price for a fantastic service.
Ready to choose a repair center you can trust? If you need help with a computer issue, reach out to us today!
