If you've ever called a computer repair shop and asked "how much will this cost?", you've probably gotten a non-answer. "It depends." "We charge $85/hour." "Bring it in and we'll see." That ambiguity makes people nervous, and rightfully so — it's easy to hand over a laptop for a minor issue and get a $200 bill.
Howard Resource Group doesn't operate that way. We use flat-rate pricing for most repairs, which means you know the cost before we touch anything. Here's what repairs actually cost, what's included, and how that compares to your other options in North Georgia.
Our flat-rate repair prices
- Diagnostic — $24.99: We examine the machine, identify the problem, and give you a clear explanation of what's wrong and what it will cost to fix. The $24.99 is credited toward any repair you approve. If you decide not to proceed, you pay $24.99 and take your machine home — no pressure.
- Virus and malware removal — quoted: Full removal, not just a scan. We use multiple tools, manually verify the system is clean, and check for anything the automated tools miss. Residential cleanups typically run $75–$100; business jobs with multiple machines are quoted per machine. We give you an exact price before we start.
- Hardware cleaning and thermal paste replacement — $49.99: Full disassembly, compressed air cleaning, and fresh thermal paste on the CPU (and GPU if applicable). Fixes the overheating that causes random shutoffs and thermal throttling.
- SSD upgrade and OS transfer — $79.99 + parts: We clone your existing drive to the new SSD so you keep everything — your files, programs, and Windows license. Parts (a 1TB NVMe SSD) run about $80. Total with labor is roughly $160.
- RAM upgrade — $49.99 + parts: Includes installation and testing. RAM pricing varies; we can source it for you or you can bring your own.
- Data recovery — $49.99: Flat rate if we can recover it — no charge if we can't. Physical damage (dropped drive, water) that needs a lab is quoted separately.
- Windows reinstall — $49.99: Clean install of Windows 11, drivers, and basic software setup. Does not include data backup — if you need that added, ask us.
How this compares to other options
Best Buy Geek Squad charges $40–$50 just to diagnose, which is non-refundable. Virus removal starts at $150 and goes up. Turnaround time is typically 5–10 business days because machines are often shipped to a central facility. You're also paying for their overhead — retail space, national brand, minimum-wage technicians.
Ubreakifix / Asurion is similarly priced to Geek Squad and has the same centralized model. Fine for phone screens, but for PC work the flat-rate pricing is less competitive and the technician depth varies.
Independent local shops vary widely. Some charge fairly, some don't. Hourly billing is common, which makes it hard to know what you'll pay. We've seen customers come to us after being quoted $300+ for a virus removal we'd quote at $75–$100 for a typical residential machine.
Why flat-rate matters
Hourly billing creates an incentive to take longer. It also creates anxiety for you — every hour that passes is money. Flat-rate pricing means we're motivated to fix it correctly and efficiently, not to stretch the job. It also means you can make an informed decision before anything starts.
If a repair isn't worth doing — for example, if a machine is old enough that the repair cost approaches replacement cost — we'll tell you that too. We'd rather give you honest advice than charge you $200 to repair a 10-year-old laptop that has two more years of life in it.
Serving all of North Georgia
Howard Resource Group is based in Dawsonville, GA. We serve Dawsonville, Gainesville, Canton, Cumming, Dahlonega, and surrounding areas. Drop-off repair is available, and we can arrange pickup for customers in the immediate area.