How Much Does Computer Repair Actually Cost?

The honest answer is it depends on what's wrong, but most common repairs fall into a predictable range. Here's a breakdown so you know what's fair before you call anyone.

The diagnostic fee

Most repair shops charge a diagnostic fee to figure out what's actually wrong — typically $25 to $75. At Howard Resource Group, it's a flat $24.99, and that fee gets credited toward the repair if we fix it. If we can't fix it, you owe nothing — the diagnostic is waived. That's the right way to do it, and not every shop does it that way — so ask upfront.

Common repairs and what they typically cost

These are realistic ranges for North Georgia, not national chain prices:

• Performance tune-up (cleaning up a slow machine): $75–$100 at most shops. We charge $50/hr.
• Virus and malware removal: $80–$150 depending on how deep it is. We quote each one — no charge to ask. A light cleanup is quick; a badly infected machine takes more time and is quoted honestly before we start.
• OS reinstall (wipe and fresh Windows): $50–$100. We charge $50/hr and reinstall your software before handing it back.
• Hardware upgrades (RAM, SSD, etc.): $50/hr labor plus parts at cost. The parts are usually the bigger number — an SSD for an older laptop runs $50–$100, for example.
• Data recovery: $50/hr if the drive is logically recoverable, and free if we can't get anything back. Physical damage (dropped drive, flood, fire) is a different situation — we'll tell you honestly if it needs a specialist lab, which typically runs $300–$1,500.

What makes a price fair

A few things to look for: Does the shop charge to diagnose separately from the repair? Do they tell you the price before starting work? Do they have a no-fix, no-charge policy? If the answers are yes, yes, and yes, that's a shop running things the right way. If they quote a flat fee without looking at the machine first, be skeptical.

When repair isn't worth it

If a machine is more than 8–10 years old and needs a major repair, the math often doesn't work — you might spend $200 to extend a computer's life by 18 months. We'll tell you that honestly if it applies. Sometimes the right answer is a different machine, and we can help with that too — our certified used PCs are checked, cleaned and come with a 30-day warranty.

We're in Dawsonville

We serve all of North Georgia — Cumming, Dahlonega, Gainesville, Canton, Jasper, and surrounding areas. Diagnostics are $24.99, credited toward repair, free if we can't fix it. (706) 203-2563 or start a repair request here.