How Much Does PC Repair Cost in North Georgia? (Honest Breakdown)

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'll know when we see it." 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 charge a flat $24.99 diagnostic and clear $50/hr pricing after that, so 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 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 are a custom quote — no charge to ask; business jobs with multiple machines are quoted per machine. We give you an exact price before we start.
• Hardware cleaning (detailing) — $49.99: Full disassembly and compressed air cleaning to clear the dust buildup that's often the actual cause of overheating and random shutoffs. Thermal paste replacement is available if it's needed, quoted separately.
• SSD upgrade and OS transfer — $50/hr + 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 is $50/hr labor plus the drive.
• RAM upgrade — $50/hr + parts: Includes installation and testing. RAM pricing varies; we can source it for you or you can bring your own.
• Data recovery — $50/hr: Charged only 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 — $50/hr: 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. Some won't tell you the rate or the likely total up front, 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 on a typical residential machine.

Why clear pricing matters

Not knowing what a repair will cost is what creates anxiety. Every price above is set before we start — flat for some services, a stated hourly rate for others — so you always know what to expect and 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. Pickup is free within about 45 minutes of Dawsonville and by arrangement farther out, you can ship your computer to us, and a lot of problems can be fixed remotely.

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