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Data Recovery Cost

How Much Does Data Recovery Cost?

low cost Software: $40-$129
low costMedium: $220-$375
low cost Large Drives: $1,000+

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When a hard drive malfunctions, it can mean that files are corrupted or deleted. Corrupted files can often be fixed using data recovery software.

When the drive makes whirring or clicking noises or is unusually hot, or if the computer won't start, the hard drive could be physically damaged, in which case a data recovery firm may be able to extract data from the damaged drive.
 
Typical costs:
  • Data recovery software applications are good choices for hard drives with deleted or corrupted files but no actual physical damage. The applications range from $40-$129.00. PC Magazine recommends StompSoft's Recover My Data ($40) as their top-rated application for 2007.
  • For disks that are physically damaged, Aero Data Recovery charges a flat rate as low as $219.00 for a single hard disk drive of any capacity with any operating system.
  • Some vendors charge based on the capacity of the hard disk. Disk Doctors charges $375 to recover data from a 30 GB single hard disk drive running Windows and charges $1,000 for a 500 GB drive.
  • Others firms provide only estimates. Factors that influence price include the number of files to be recovered and the turnaround time.
What should be included:
  • Physical assessment of disk failure problem(s) and determination what data can be recovered.
  • Delivering recovered data to customers.
  • Customer support.
Additional costs:
  • Evaluation. Many firms do not charge for this, while others charge $20-$200.
  • Expedited service. Most vendors expect a turnaround of three to seven business days Rush service can run to several thousand dollars.
  • The cost of returning a hard drive is sometimes included in the quote.
  • Cost of media used to return recovered data to customers. For small amounts of data, customers can supply CDs or a USB computer stick (approximately $15.00). A common option is for customers to supply a portable hard drive ($110-$332) when they send in their hard drives for repair. Recovered data can be obtained via secure online download, which may be the best option for international clients.
  • Pick-up and delivery service can cost around $40.00 if a customer is located near the firm.
Shopping for data recovery:
  • One way to find a provider is through a computer hardware vendor which may have a partnership with a data recovery service provider. For example, CompUSA uses DriveSavers Data Recovery for the computers they sell.
  • Disk Doctors and DTI Data Recovery have lab sites located all over the U.S.
  • Finally, some vendors, such as ESS Data Recovery, are authorized to open hard drives by all hard drive manufacturers without voiding warranties.
Article updated May 2007
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Recent Posts
Amount: $485.00 total Data recovery
Posted by: John Daniels in Troy, IL.Purchased: March, 2008
Type of Recovery: drive clickingGB of Data: 320
Turnaround Time: 3 daysCompany: Aero Data Recovery
Service was well priced ($279) but I had to buy a disk from them to return my data on, which brought the total to around $485.
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Amount: $450.00 total Data Recovery
Posted by: Sarah B in San Diego, CA.Purchased: November, 2008
Type of Recovery: Unable to access the driveGB of Data: 30
Turnaround Time: 2 daysCompany: Absolute Data Services
This place is great, they are very professional and helpful. They got all my pictures and documents back. They were formerly called San Diego Data Recovery Inc. I would recommend them to anyone.
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Amount: $1,500.00 total data recovery
Posted by: Adlai green in orlando, FL.Purchased: October, 2008
Type of Recovery: photos and I tunesGB of Data:
Turnaround Time: 2 monthsCompany: aero and ESS
I think that aero does false advertising as you will find if you search the web- they indicate that they can retrieve information from the hard drive that crashes and then ends up sending the drive to ESS when they tell you the damage is beyond their control and thet ESS can fix this at a discount of 10%- first aero charged me $200 to take the hard drive out of my mac book and then $1000 plus from ESS to retrieve the information- BAit and switch as other sites will tell you- the Emails are the same from both companies- BACK UP YOUR HARD DRIVE REGULARLY and avoid the aggravation
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Amount: $599.00 total Very Satisfied
Posted by: Jeannette in Gates Mills, OH.Purchased: January, 2009
Type of Recovery: Mechanical DamageGB of Data: 120
Turnaround Time: 48 hoursCompany: Micra Data Recovery
Everything went the way it was promised. My hard drive experienced heads crash and all the data was retrieved in 48 hours for total of $599. I did not pay for shipping or parts or clean rooms of any kind. Was simple and easy. Also before I paid they actually did show my files, as promised.
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Amount: $439.00 total Aero Data Recovery Service
Posted by: Chris Hansen in New York, NY.Purchased: January, 2009
Type of Recovery: Mechanical Damage ClickingGB of Data: 330
Turnaround Time: 4 DaysCompany: Aero Data Recovery
Hello,

For some reason I have a different opinion of Aero Data Recovery. I sent them my hard drive after looking over there web site and seeing the very attractive cost. I thought it was too good to be true but it wasn't. I started a case with them over the phone, sent my drive in and in about 1 week it was brought to my attention that the drive was fully recovered. The drive had made a very load clicking noise which I thought would be platter damage. I got the external back with all of the information and I was very pleased. Thank you Aero
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Amount: $700.00 total Fast Service
Posted by: Chris Hall in Frankfort, KY.Purchased: May, 2009
Type of Recovery: Bad MotorGB of Data: 250
Turnaround Time: 2 daysCompany: Micra Data Recovery
Was referred to this company by one of my buddies. Went on their website to check out the pricing and learn more about the whole process. I was first impress with professionalism of the support team. The company promised not to charge me anything until my data is recovered, with 4 hours evaluation. I did send my drive to them and received response and solid quote of 700 next morning. They stated that the hard drive's motor had gone bad, which I knew it was; drive was not spinning, though, was making weird sounds, like it did try to spin up. I did agree upon the price quoted and 2 days later I received a list of recovered files. Everything I had on my drive was in the list, so I filled out the form Micra Data Recovery sent me and got a new seagate 500 gigs drives next day with my data on it.
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Amount: $40.00 total Bait and switch
Posted by: a user in NY, NY.Purchased: July, 2009
Type of Recovery: couldn't access driveGB of Data: 700
Turnaround Time: 2 weeksCompany: Aero data recovery
Total bait and switch operation. False advertising: They state a low flat rate of $279 on their website; they've gotten a lot of press about being a discount operation. Had them return my drive after they told me that they have to send it elsewhere for the data recovery. After I said no, they said it's just down the street...writing on the wall was clear. They probably own "both" companies. A search on the net shows an identical experience by many people. Charged $25 for returning the disk. Avoid them.
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Amount: $1,200.00 total Thanks Aero
Posted by: Matthew Wilson in Louisville, KY.Purchased: September, 2009
Type of Recovery: RAIDGB of Data: <800GB
Turnaround Time: 48hrsCompany: Aero Data Recovery, Inc
I sent Aero Data my external Lacie 1TB hard drive and in 3 days time I had all my data recovered and sent back to me. My wife was read to kill me until Aero steed in, Thanks
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Amount: $300.00 total data recovery
Posted by: Marta Silva in Machias, ME.Purchased: December, 2009
Type of Recovery: psycialGB of Data: 250
Turnaround Time: 2 daysCompany: CW Data Recovery Of Maine
I Was referred to this company by one of my buddies. Went on their website to check out the pricing and learn more about the whole process. I was first impress with professionalism of the support team. The company promised not to charge me anything until my data is recovered, free evaluation. I did send my drive to them and received response and solid quote of 300 next morning. They stated that the hard drive's pcboard had gone bad, which I knew the drive was not spinning, , like it did try to spin up. I did agree upon the price quoted and 2 days later I received a list of recovered files. Everything I had on my drive was in the list, so I filled out the form CW Data Recovery sent me and got a new seagate 250 gigs drives next day with my data on it.
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Amount: $50.00 total Scam!!!
Posted by: Monte in Wichita, KS.Purchased: January, 2009
Type of Recovery: standardGB of Data: 250
Turnaround Time: 12 daysCompany: Aero Data Recovery
I used Aero Data and they are a huge scam.. I sent them a hard drive in January of 2008 that was formatted over. Aero ensured me that it would be no problem to pull the information off for the $279 flat rate. I sent the drive in and after 15 days they called me to inform me that they could not recover my information. They said they had sent 2 email which I never rteceived. I had to pay $25 dollars to get the drive back and I only spend $5 to get it to them. They pushed for me to send my drive to ESS stating that they WOULD be able to recover my info. Yea, for $1000. Being a little skeptical I sent them a drive that acually WORKED!! They ended up telling me that the platters where strached JUST LIKE THE first drive I sent them. I told them that the drive actually did work and they said that there had to have been a mistake on the "engineers" part. In short they dont even check the drives. They just want to refer you on to ESS or DriveSavers. Seems they push for ESS a lot more tho
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Amount: $900.00 total unrecoverable is often recoverable
Posted by: Ray Morel in Toronto, Other.Purchased: January, 2010
Type of Recovery: crashed hard driveGB of Data: ~130GB
Turnaround Time: 6 daysCompany: Memofix Data Recovery
Local recovery company opened my drive and declared it unrecoverable because of rings on the disks. Sent to Memofix who replaced the heads 2 times and got me 95% of my data. They claim many data recovery companies do just the easy jobs where parts aren't needed. So be careful
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