Friday, September 7, 2012

Things to Consider When Getting Your Computer Repaired

By Tim Wang


We all get frustrated when our computers stop working. The possibility of lost data (imagine all the hard work gone just like that) and the grave inconvenience it may cause is somewhat staggering; not to mention how costly the repair will be, depending on what the damage is. If the cost of computer repairs worry you, here's a guide on what kind of cost you can expect:

Expect hourly rates.

Some computer repair services charge a fee based on the type of work done. Most, though, you will probably be charged by the hour. It will also be the technician who will determine the number of hours it will take to fix your computer.

A $30 rate per hour is typical. Usually, repair time averages 2 hours. So you spend $60, assuming that everything is finished in 2 hours. When the work extends beyond that, prepare to add more. You might also pay extra for software or hardware installation.

You can also ask if the service shop is charging the full cost for the computer repair just to prevent being overcharged by a slow technician. In which case, if the computer wasn't fixed at all, you don't have to pay for it.

Repair remotely.

There are companies that can fix your computer by hooking up to it online. They can fix your problems by remote and you can even monitor the progress in real time. These services can be very helpful only if your computer problems are software-related. They're also quite affordable, charging fees that start from around $39.

Simple checkups, diagnostics, installation and/or reinstallation, for example, can cost from a measly $25 to about $150 per hour. The low-end figure is usually for the most basic work done while higher figures are for more extensive repairs.

You can perform the checkups and backups yourself so that you won't have a need for costly repairs in the future.

If you're worried about how much to pay when looking for computer repair services, take these things into consideration. That way, you'll be better able to make the right decision.



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