Finding a trustworthy and skilled computer repair technician can be a difficult task. Here are some questions that you need to ask before you choose the best for you.
Computer repair technicians often get a bad reputation for poor ethics and work standards. While there are certainly some crooks out there,
as there are in any business, there are also many reputable and outstanding shops and services available if you take the time to look.
It's also important to ask the technician or shop about their policies, guarantees, and work standards. Qualified techs will have no hesitation in answering all of your questions fully and to your satisfaction. Here are some things to ask a potential computer repair center or technician before you hire one.
Are your technicians certified?
While there are many skilled freelance techs that have little to no formal training, certification is a good sign that you are working with a serious business. Any type of business generally demands some form of competency proof, regardless of demonstrated ability, to ensure an acceptable level of work quality. A personal and reputed reference may be able to compensate for lack of formal education, but proceed hiring non-certified technicians with caution.
How many years of experience do you have fixing computers?
Experience often offsets even the best credentials and glossiest advertisements. It can be expensive and rates are usually charged based on the time it takes to fix the problem, which means a relatively simple fix that an inexperienced tech misses can end up costing a small fortune. For most basic home repairs, three to four years of experience in the field is acceptable. If you've completely fried your computer, however, you may want to find someone with many more years of expertise.
What are your guarantees?
There may be no guarantees in life, but that doesn't mean your computer should break down again two days after repair. The guarantee will vary by companies and by the job performed, but in general expect to be worry-free for one to three months following a successful repair.
How much will it cost?
Unfortunately, repair centers and techs generally charge by the hour, somewhere in the range of 50 to 60 dollars, which can get quite costly. They also often charge extra if the repair is in-home or office. Ask for an estimate on the total cost and then be prepared to add on an extra hour so you won't get an unpleasant surprise.
You may also ask them to update you on their progress before continuing so you can adjust your budget accordingly. The hourly rate covers labor and time only, any parts that need to be ordered or replaced you will need to pay on top of the fees. To help you save a bit of cash, you can order the parts yourself so you can compare prices.
With a little bit of research and time, you can find a reputable center or technician and get yourself back to work or play in no time. Exercise caution and you can be assured that you won't fall victim to a crook or substandard techs.
