How Much Does Computer Repair Cost in the UK?
Typical UK computer repair prices for diagnostics, software fixes, hardware swaps and call-outs, plus what pushes a bill up and how to compare quotes.
Computer repair pricing in the UK is less standardised than most trades. One technician charges a flat fee for a software fix, another bills by the hour, and a third quotes for the whole job after a free look. Knowing the usual ranges helps you spot a quote that is far too high, or suspiciously low.
Typical price ranges
The figures below are rough guides. They typically vary by region, the age of the device and the exact fault, and London and the South East tend to sit at the upper end.
| Job | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Diagnostic or health check | Free to around £50 |
| Software fix (slow system, error messages, reinstall) | Around £40 to £120 |
| Virus or malware cleanup | Around £50 to £120 |
| Operating system reinstall with data kept | Around £60 to £130 |
| Hourly rate, home or small office visit | Around £35 to £75 per hour |
| Hardware swap labour (RAM, SSD, fan) | Around £30 to £80 plus parts |
| Call-out or travel charge | Often £0 to £30 |
Parts are on top of labour. A replacement SSD, laptop screen or charger can cost more than the labour, which is why a quote should always separate the two.
Why two quotes for the same fault can differ
Several things explain a wide spread:
- On-site versus workshop. Someone coming to your home covers travel and time, so you pay for convenience. A workshop drop-off is often cheaper but you are without the machine.
- Fixed fee versus hourly. Fixed fees give certainty; hourly rates reward a fast technician but can climb if the fault is awkward.
- Urgency. Same-day or evening work usually costs more.
- Device type. Some laptops are glued together or need specialist tools, which lengthens labour.
- Data recovery risk. If the drive is failing, careful handling takes longer, and genuine recovery is priced separately.
What a fair quote should include
Before agreeing, ask for the following in writing, even if it is just a message:
- The diagnosis in plain language (what is actually wrong).
- Labour cost, separated from parts.
- Whether the diagnostic fee is deducted if you go ahead.
- A maximum price or a point at which they will stop and check with you.
- How long the work should take and how long any repair is covered by the technician, if at all.
A quote that just says "fix computer, £150" tells you very little. A good one reads like "replace failed SSD, reinstall system, restore documents, £95 labour plus £45 drive".
Ways to keep the bill down
- Describe the fault precisely. Note error messages, when it started and what changed. Time spent guessing is time you pay for.
- Back up first if you can. Technicians then do not have to spend hours protecting files.
- Try the free basics. A restart, checking cables and checking for a pending update resolves a surprising number of faults. Our guide to why a laptop is slow walks through the cheap checks.
- Bundle jobs. If the technician is already at your home, ask about setting up the printer or checking the router in the same visit rather than booking twice.
- Get two quotes. For anything above about £100 it is reasonable to compare.
When repairing is not worth it
If a laptop is eight or nine years old and needs a new screen or motherboard, the repair can approach the price of a decent replacement. A rough rule many people use is to think twice when a repair costs more than half the price of a comparable new machine. Our article on whether an old laptop is worth repairing covers the decision in more detail.
Finding someone and booking
On Compito you can search by postcode, compare ID-verified local providers, send a request describing the fault and receive an offer you can accept and pay for online. Having the price agreed in the offer before work starts makes it easier to avoid surprises, and you can message the provider to clarify scope. Browse tech support services or see how it works.
Frequently asked questions
Is it cheaper to take my computer to a shop than have someone visit?
Often, yes, because a workshop does not add travel time. However, you lose the device for a few days and may pay for secure handling of your data. For simple jobs or when you need things set up in your own network, a visit can be better value.
Should I pay a diagnostic fee?
It is common and reasonable for a technician to charge for time spent finding a fault, especially if it is intermittent. Ask whether the fee is credited against the repair if you go ahead, and agree it before they start.
Why is a simple virus removal not cheaper?
Cleaning malware properly means scanning, removing, checking for leftover changes and often updating the system and changing passwords. Quick wipes sometimes miss things, so a careful job takes more than a few minutes.