Frequently asked questions

No fix, no fee. If we can't repair it you don't pay for the work. All we ask is that you cover the return postage. We'll always tell you why it couldn't be fixed and, where possible, what it would cost elsewhere or whether the part is genuinely end-of-life.

Most repairs are back in the post within 5–10 working days of arriving at the workshop. Some jobs are faster, some are slower — vintage gear, rare parts and complex PCB-level work can all extend the timeline. You'll get a realistic estimate with your quote, and we'll contact you if anything changes.

After. You pay once the work is complete and has passed our bench testing, and before we dispatch the item back to you. This gives you confidence that the repair has actually worked and we're not taking money for an unfinished job.

We never carry out work beyond the agreed quote without asking you first. If we open something up and find a secondary fault, we'll stop, contact you with a revised quote and a clear explanation, and only proceed once you're happy to go ahead.

That depends on what's wrong — but we'll always give you a firm written quote after a free initial diagnosis, and we never proceed without your approval. Typical price ranges for the most common jobs are listed on the repair and 3D printing pages.

Yes. You cover the postage to get your item to us, and if you don't go ahead with the repair, we return it at your cost. There is no charge for us to look at the item, diagnose the fault and prepare a quote.

Bank transfer is preferred — account details are printed on every invoice. We can also take card payments on request.

For electronics, double-boxing is best: original packaging (or anti-static bags for exposed boards) inside a larger cardboard box, with 3–5 cm of foam or bubble wrap on all sides. Use a tracked and insured courier service. When you contact us we'll send a short packing checklist tailored to the item.

You cover the postage to send the item to us, and the return postage when it's dispatched back. Both should be sent tracked and insured for the cost of the item. We'll handle the return shipping arrangements at cost — we don't mark up postage.

Please insure your item for the cost of replacement when you post it. If it arrives with visible external damage, we'll photograph it before opening the box any further and contact you immediately so you can raise a claim with the courier. We'll document the condition throughout.

The specific repair we carried out, and any parts we replaced. If the same fault recurs within 90 days of return, we'll put it right at no further labour charge — you only pay the return postage in both directions. The warranty does not cover new, unrelated faults or damage caused after return.

We only access what's strictly needed to test the repair. We don't open personal files, browse emails or examine documents. For data-sensitive devices we can work without booting the operating system at all — just mention it when you contact us. We don't wipe data unless you specifically ask us to.

Yes — vintage audio, older computers, test equipment and unusual industrial kit are very much what we enjoy. We're patient with component sourcing and sympathetic to original condition. Tell us what you have and we'll let you know what's realistic.

We're a mail-in only service — there's no walk-in. Keeping overheads low lets us focus on the bench and pass the saving on in our prices. All items are received, worked on and returned via post.

Just email repairs@harktech.co.uk or use the contact form. We aim to reply within one business day.