Why We Charge for an Assessment

(And Why That's Actually Good for You)

We hear it occasionally: "But can't you just take a quick look for free? Those other guys don’t charge"

It's a fair question, and we get it. You've got a broken computer, and you just want to know what's wrong before committing to anything. That makes complete sense. But here's the honest answer: our assessments are not free - and anyone that offers them is not being transparent. We believe you deserve better.

1. A Proper Assessment Takes Real Time and Expertise

When your computer comes into our Selwyn Street workshop, we don't just plug it in and glance at it. We run through our comprehensive check on every machine we look at. We're checking security, testing the drive, investigating performance, and digging into what's actually causing the problem - not just what's visible on the surface. You don’t want to get your screen repaired only to find out there is a fault with your drive too – wouldn’t you want to know about both things in advance so you could make an informed decision on what to do next?

Our technicians average 15.8 years of full-time experience each. That depth of expertise is what allows us to give you an accurate diagnosis quickly. But quickly doesn't mean free - it means efficiently done by people who genuinely know what they're doing. That time and skill has a cost, and we believe in being transparent about that rather than hiding it.

2. "Free Assessments" Aren't Really Free

Here's a truth about the repair industry: when a business offers "free assessments," they're not actually working for nothing. That cost gets baked into higher labour rates, inflated parts prices, or a pressure-to-commit dynamic where you feel obligated to proceed even if the quote is more than you expected.

At Computer Help NZ, we'd rather be upfront. You pay for the assessment, you get an honest result, and you make your own informed decision - no pressure, no hidden costs.

3. You Get a Precise Quote - Not a Vague Estimate

Within three hours of dropping your device off, we'll have assessed it and given you a precise quote for cost and timeframe. Not a ballpark. Not a "it depends." A real number, so you can decide whether to go ahead.

That quote is only possible because we've done genuine diagnostic work. And if the repair turns out to be uneconomical - say, a motherboard replacement that costs more than the machine is worth - we'll tell you that too, straight up. We won't push you into a repair that doesn't make sense for you.

4. We Only Tell You About Work We've Actually Checked

One of our core promises to every customer is this: we won't sell you anything you don't need. We'll let you know about anything optional and make it clear that it's optional. But we can only make those honest recommendations if we've properly assessed the machine first.

A free "look" often means a surface-level guess. A proper assessment means you get accurate information about what's actually wrong, what genuinely needs fixing, and what can wait.

5. It's Covered by Our 120% Guarantee

Here's something that might surprise you: if something goes wrong after a repair - something related to our workmanship - there's no charge to investigate and no charge to fix it. Our 120% money-back guarantee means we stand behind every repair for 90 days, and we'll right any mistake at our cost, not yours.

So while the initial assessment isn't free, what comes after it absolutely is protected. You're not left wondering if you'll be charged again just to find out what happened.

6. Our Average Fix Time Speaks for Itself

In 2024, our average repair time was 9.6 hours from drop-off to done. That speed is only possible because our assessment process is thorough and efficient - we don't waste time going back and forth. We assess properly, quote accurately, and get on with it.

A free assessment that takes three days and ends in a vague answer isn't actually better value than a paid assessment that gets you a precise quote in three hours.

7. We've Been Doing This Since 1997

Over 11,000 customers have trusted Computer Help NZ since we opened our doors. We haven't built that reputation by gouging people on assessments - we've built it by being honest, reliable, and genuinely good at what we do.

Charging for assessments is part of that honesty. It's how we maintain a team of experienced technicians, keep parts in stock, and deliver the same-day service we're known for.

The Bottom Line

When you bring your laptop, desktop, tablet, or Mac computer to us, you're not paying for someone to guess at your problem. You're paying for a thorough diagnostic by experienced professionals, a precise quote with no obligation to proceed, and the confidence that what you're told is accurate.

We think that's worth something. And based on what our customers tell us, they do too.

Friendly Computer Advice in Plain Language
0800 FIX NOW

Drop in or call us on 0800 FIX NOW (0800 349 669) 160b Selwyn Street, Christchurch | chnz.co.nz

Afterpay available. SuperGold card holders receive 10% off labour.

Ask about our Total Home Membership which includes, amongst other benefits, half price on the callout fee.