Pricing

At The Computer Cellar, we’re proud to offer fair pricing that matches or beats the big chains, while offering service light years beyond anything you’ll find there.

Please be aware that in 99% of cases, we must see the computer in person to give you an accurate estimate or quote. Coming in for an estimate will always be easier (for both us and you) than calling in to ask about pricing!

When you come in, we’ll get information about your problem and check in your computer. You will later receive diagnostic information and a recommended course of action. If you choose to do the repair, there will be no diagnostic charge. If you choose to retire the computer or not to proceed with a repair through us, a diagnostic charge of $20 to $50 will apply. Most customers get diagnostics within 24 hours and you’ll get a heads-up if we believe it may take longer.

We charge a flat rate for the majority of repairs we do, with some variations for complexity. We base this rate on the amount of time, effort, and skill that will need to be applied in the course of the repair, bearing in mind that we often work on multiple repairs simultaneously. Hourly fees are usually only applied to one-on-one consultations.

The list below gives a rough guide to our most common repairs, but please be aware that these rates may fluctuate if you have a particularly complicated issue (or a particularly complicated computer). We will inform you of these possibilities in advance of creating your work order.

One more thing – some jobs will require a deposit in advance. These include jobs where expensive parts are necessary, jobs where you keep your computer until an ordered part arrives, or jobs with a high probability of failure where we would charge a minimum fee for the attempt. All fees will be disclosed in advance.

The Computer Cellar accepts cash, check*, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, and all major credit and debit cards.

The following list is not inclusive.

Short Description	Long Description	Price as of 7/8/2020

Diagnostic fee	May be lowered/waived if refurbished computer is purchased from us. Waived if a repair is performed.	$20-$50
Password reset (local acct)	Reset password for local account on Windows-based systems	$30
Password reset (cloud acct)	Assist with resetting password for Microsoft accounts or other cloud-based services	$40
Diagnostic (minimum) – iMac	Minimum charge to open an iMac in the course of diagnostics. If an iMac must be opened to check or repair, this is the lowest possible cost.	$110
Windows 10 Reinstall (wipe)	Reformat, reinstall Windows 10 to any given computer with no data transfer. Includes labor charge for swapping HDD if needed.	$70
Windows 7 Reinstall (wipe)	We do not offer reinstalls of Windows 7 any more. Please read https://www.thecomputercellar.com/unsupported/ for information why.	N/A
MacOS Reinstall (wipe)	Reformat, reinstall MacOS to any given MacBook with no data transfer. Includes labor charge for swapping HDD if needed (but not for iMacs)	$70
OSX Reinstall (wipe) (pre-Mavericks)	We do not offer reinstalls of MacOS (pre-10.9) any more. Please read https://www.thecomputercellar.com/unsupported/ for information why.	N/A
iMac HDD Replacement + OS Reinstall	Reformat, reinstall MacOS to any given iMac (pre-2012) with no data transfer. Includes labor charge for swapping HDD.	$150
iMac Retina HDD Replacement + OS Reinstall	Reformat, reinstall MacOS to any given iMac (post-2012) with no data transfer. Includes labor charge for swapping HDD, and adhesive kit. 27″ Retina iMacs require an additional $50 thermal sensor.	$190

Outlook email data transfers	Due to Outlook’s poor design and related issues, we charge an additional per-account/per-PST fee for data transfer and configuration. These transfers are handled by a 3rd party IT specialist company.	$65/acct
Data transfer (between computers or disks)	Any mass data transfer between any two computers or disks. (labor only)	$45
Data transfer/recovery (legacy media)	Copying data from old floppies, ZIP disks, CDs/DVDs to a new medium or computer. $35 minimum (for up to 5 disks); then per disk:	$2.00
LCD Replacement (no digitizer)	Swap LCD on Windows/Linux laptops that do not have a separate digitizer. (labor only)	$50-$90
LCD Replacement (removable digitizer)	Swap LCD on Windows/Linux laptops that have a separate digitizer, assuming it is airgapped and not laminated. (labor only)	$75-$150
LCD Replacement (MacBooks)	Vendor-provided replacement of MacBook LCD (these are performed by the top national screen replacement company using OEM parts with a 1-year defect warranty.)	Varies by model; call, email, or come in for more info
Data Recovery	Recovering from reformatted or logically damaged drive. Depends on quantity and amount of babysitting. Most should fall in the midrange. We do not repair mechanical/electrical failures. (labor only)	$75-$200

Virus/Malware Removal, Optimization	To remove viruses, bloatware, malware, spyware, and then re-optimize the computer without reinstalling. Price varies with difficulty/time.	$45-$100
Optimize/Configure New Computer (NDT)	To remove bloatware and adware from new computers, get up to date, optimize, and add freeware.	$60
Replace Keyboard (modular PC)	Replace a modular (top-install) PC keyboard (labor only)	$35
Replace Keyboard (undermount PC)	Replace a non-modular (undermount) PC keyboard that is screw-mounted (heat stakes are a different charge) (labor only)	$100
Replace Keyboard (heat staked palmrest)	Replace a non-modular heat staked PC keyboard and attached palmrest (labor only)	$90
Replace Keyboard (MacBook Pro pre-Retina)	Replace the keyboard in a pre-Retina (2008-2012) MacBook Pro Unibody. (labor only)	$120
Replace Keyboard (MacBook Air, Pro Retina)	Replace the riveted keyboard in a Retina MacBook Pro or MacBook Air (pre-2016) (labor only)	$140
DC Jack Replacement (modular)	Replace a modular (non-soldered) DC jack in most laptops (labor only)	$70
DC Jack Replacement (soldered)	Replace a soldered DC jack in most laptops (labor only)	$95
Hinge Repair (unorthodox)	“Unorthodox” repair of hinges by means of screws or epoxy in most laptops	$65
Hinge Repair (orthodox)	Repair hinges by replacement of broken hinge mechanism and, in some cases, broken laptop chassis components (labor only)	$110
Liquid Spill Recovery/attempt	Minimum charge of $150 to attempt cleaning of damaged logic board. Total repair cost including replacing parts may reach this max (labor only)	$250
Replace Battery (MBP pre-Retina, MBA)	Replace battery on MacBook Pro (pre-Retina) or MacBook Air (labor only)	$30
Replace Battery (MacBook Pro Retina)	Replace battery on MacBook Pro Retina, which is glued into the chassis (labor only)	$95
PSU Replacement	Replace damaged power supply in desktop computers (labor only)	$45
Replace HDD Cable, 2009-2012 MacBook Pro	Replace damaged HDD communication cable in MacBook Pro (pre-Retina) (labor only) – includes fan removal and cleaning while opened.	$35
In-store consultation (beyond 15 minutes)	Extended discussion, testing, assistance, explanation, or repair, all while you wait. Billed in 15-minute increments, 1-hour minimum.	$75/hour
Deposit Requirement	A deposit is required for all parts orders exceeding $100, or any parts ordered where the customer retains the computer until parts arrival.	N/A
	All other jobs will be charged based on estimated time investment. There are no available discount programs at this time.

*$17.00 fee will apply for all returned checks. DL/ID# must be shown.