What is the cost of fixing a computer? Well, it depends. The factors involve the type of repair needed, the cost of parts required and of course, the rate the technician charges.

Most technicians will diagnose the problem first then give an estimate.

For this post, let’s pretend your computer won’t boot because of a failing hard drive. The services required are as follows: recovery and transfer of important data, installation of a new hard drive, installation of an operating system, and migration of the previously transferred data.

Regardless of which company you get to service your computer, the services required are the same. A good computer repair company will also recommend a backup to prevent future frustration.

The part, the replacement hard drive, should not be much higher than what your local electronics store would charge. Most companies will charge 10 to 20 percent over cost. The convenience of having the part right away is worth the extra cost.

Then there’s the service charge, the cost of labor and expertise. Some technicians charge an hourly rate and some charge per service. An hourly rate is good if you have a good idea of how long a repair will take. The rate a technician charges varies widely, but you can be sure that an experienced technician knows his worth and will charge more to get things done right. A lower price doesn’t necessarily mean that the technician is inexperienced, but it could be a hint that their business model is based on volume. That might also mean that they will cut corners.

Companies that charge per service are good when you are looking for a solution but aren’t sure how long the service will take. A 2 hour service and a 5 hour service at $100 per hour is a big difference. When you pay per service, you know how much you will spend up front. They will give you an estimate after the diagnosis. The final invoice should be very close to the initial estimate. Any changes in cost should be agreed upon before moving forward.

Always look for a company who guarantees their work. The last thing you want is to pay for a service that doesn’t fix your problem. Usually companies that charge per hour do not refund you for hours worked. It’s more likely that you will get a problem-solved guarantee from a company that charges per service.

Another thing to keep in mind is that cheaper is not always better, nor do you always get what you pay for. The key is to do your research first. Read client testimonials. Are they believable? If the company has no reviews, you can assume that they either have very few clientele or they don’t want you to know what clients have to say about them. A little time invested in researching a company can save you a lot in terms of money and headache.