Frequently Asked Questions:
We field hundreds of calls and e-mails a year. These are the questions that come up most, answered straight.
Can you always recover data?
No. Some drives are gone. As a rule, if the platters are not scratched we can get the data back. If we cannot recover it, you are not charged.
How much does it cost to recover my data?
Recovery is billed hourly, in half hour increments, so you pay for the work your drive needs and nothing more. Our hourly rates are published: $160 economy, $200 standard, $400 emergency. Most labs quote a flat price per job, which means you cover their worst case whether your drive needs it or not.
What your recovery comes to depends on the failure type (mechanical, electrical, firmware or logical), the manufacturer, model number, capacity and interface. RAID, encryption and previous recovery attempts push it up. We quote an exact price once diagnostics are done, and diagnostics are free.
Most labs will not tell you what recovery costs until they have your drive. Here is what ours has averaged every year since we opened.
Figures below include parts, labor, and a replacement hard drive to hold your recovered data.
| Non-RAID Data Recovery Averages | |
| 2024 | $711.82 |
| 2023 | $602.55 |
| 2022 | $771.47 |
| 2021 | $691.32 |
| 2020 | $713.07 |
| 2019 | $672.88 |
| 2018 | $613.23 |
| 2017 | $763.57 |
| 2016 | $741.22 |
| 2015 | $707.32 |
| 2014 | $683.01 |
| 2013 | $573.12 |
| 2012 | $613.41 |
| 2005 - 2011 | $471.97 |
These are averages of completed jobs, not a flat rate. Work back from the hourly rate and a typical recovery is a few hours on the bench plus the replacement drive. They move year to year because the case mix moves. A year heavy on firmware and logical failures lands lower. A year heavy on mechanical damage and large drives lands higher.
Recent years are up largely because of SMR. Shingled magnetic recording overlaps the data tracks to pack more capacity onto a platter. That means we cannot just read what you need. The translation tables and media cache have to be rebuilt first, and one damaged region can take out every track written over it. An SMR drive costs more hours on the bench than a conventional CMR drive of the same size. Your quote reflects your drive, not the average.
What does USB flash and memory card recovery cost?
Flash and camera memory that needs NAND or chip-off work, where we read the data straight off the memory chip, is a flat rate by capacity.
| USB Flash & Camera Memory | |
| 0GB to 3GB | $450 |
| 4GB to 8GB | $550 |
| 9GB to 32GB | $650 |
| 33GB to 64GB | $750 |
| 64GB to 128GB | $950 |
How much do diagnostics cost?
Nothing. Standard diagnostics are free. A technician assesses your media, finds the failure, and within 24 to 48 hours sends you a quote listing what we can recover, how long it will take, and what it costs.
Free diagnostics do not cover rush service, multi-disk arrays, or drives that have already been opened. We limit free diagnostics to one item per person.
How long does it take to recover my data?
Diagnostics tell us. Most drives are back in your hands within 24 to 72 hours. Serious mechanical damage, a drive that has taken a drop for example, can run past 7 business days.
We run 24/7 rush and emergency recovery. That means we work around the clock until your data is back.
What is your data recovery process?
We follow an industry standard method. Before you do anything else, read our recovery process, how to pick a recovery company, and what to do the moment a drive fails.
Is it cheaper to recover only certain files?
Sometimes. Targeting specific files can be faster and cheaper depending on the failure and the state of the mechanical and logical components. When diagnostics are done your technician will lay out any partial recovery options.
Can I provide my own target drive?
Yes, if it is new and factory sealed. We do not take used or opened media into the lab. No exceptions. That rule protects every case on the bench, including yours.
Where is your lab located?
Calgary, Alberta. Ask for a lab tour and we will show you the bench your drive would sit on. We are an ethical award winning lab, which means we do not outsource, and we do not pay or take referral commissions.
Can I ship my media to your lab?
Yes. We take in media from around the world. Contact us first so we can send you packing and mailing instructions. How a drive is packed matters more than most people expect.
Is there a charge if data is not recovered?
No. Every quote carries a recovery guarantee. If we miss it, you pay nothing. No data, no charge, no hidden fees.
Do you offer non-profit, student, or teacher discounts?
Yes. We have agreements with a lot of schools and non-profits. Students and teachers need to show proof of status before we can share discounted rates. Non-profits need their government issued not-for-profit corporation number.
Can I Recover Data Myself?
Self recovery attempts usually make the job harder.
Most drives reach us after someone has already tried something. The difference is that a user treats symptoms and a lab fixes causes. Without the right tools and experience, self recovery rarely works, and labs have resources that even strong technical professionals do not. Your best odds are on the first attempt. If the data matters, get it to a proven recovery company before anyone opens the drive.
Choose Service:
Just click to get more information on a specific service.
Data Recovery & Investigation:
- desktop hard drives
- notebook hard drives
- external and portables hard drives
- flash based USB storage devices
- specialized software recovery
Computer Repair & IT Consulting:
