What You Should Know

I own a computer repair business in Michigan and I'm constantly reminded of the need for honesty and integrity in this business. Time after time, customers tell me stories of abuse in the computer repair industry. A client recently came to me after making a call to one of the nationally known computer repair companies. Just to come out to his house, the business was going to charge him around $350. The fact that they were going to charge $350 just to come out on a call simply amazes me. When you call a computer repair company and they quote you $300+, it’s important to remember that a new computer can be purchased for $300 to $400. There are much better alternatives when choosing a local company. There are numerous price structures that computer repair companies charge. Most charge an hourly fee, which typically can range from $50 to $100 an hour. The first hour is usually charged even if the repair takes less than an hour to make. After the first hour, companies usually bill for every quarter hour. A competent computer technician should be able diagnose and repair most issues within the first two hours. Many companies charge an on-site service fee. The on-site service charge may range from $20 to $50. Other companies are now moving to a flat repair pricing model. They typically charge anywhere from $60 to $150 for flat fee pricing. So, no matter what the repair is, they will fix it for a designated price. Most people I have talked to have been pretty unhappy with that type of service. There isn’t an incentive for the technician to fix the repair quickly, and the technicians seem to be of slightly lower quality. Some companies will charge a flat fee if the job appears like it's going to extend beyond two hours. If the system needs to be rebuilt, that's a longer process; it could take between 3 and 6 hours. Also, be careful when purchasing hardware from a computer repair company. Many companies use hardware as a profit source. Many companies often sell, for example, $30 parts for $70 to $100. As long as you have a general idea of actual product costs, you'll be much better prepared to negotiate a fair price. One of the most difficult tasks when looking for a computer guy is making sure he’s competent. The last thing you want is an incompetent service person creating more problems on your machine. With this, hourly rates can increase rapidly because they are learning about computer repair on your time and wallet. Whenever possible, call the business and talk to them before making your decision. You should be able to tell from your gut if it’s the right place for you and your computer.