A computing device repair person must provide a written evaluation when the costs for a repair are estimated to be higher than $50.

What if you have signed a document rejecting the need for such an evaluation? Such a document has no legal value. To reject an evaluation, you must write a document yourself and sign it.

Covered computing devices

The written evaluation is required for the repair of the following devices:

• Computers;
• Tablets;
• Smart phones;
• Peripherals (screens, keyboards, mice, printers, scanners, modems, external hard drives, etc.)

Evaluation costs

Getting an evaluation should be free, unless the repair person mentioned the exact fee beforehand.

Information contained in an evaluation

The evaluation provided before the repair of a computer or a peripheral must include the following information:

• Your name and address and those of the repair person;
• A description of the device to be repaired;
• Details about the repair that must be done and its costs;
• The evaluation date and the period for which it is valid.

Authorizing the repair

You must provide your authorization before any repair can be done. Moreover, without your authorization, the repair person cannot proceed with repairs that were not mentioned in the evaluation.

The repair person cannot ask for more than the amount stated in the evaluation. The only fees that can be added to the evaluation are those linked to additional repairs that you have expressly authorized.

Getting replaced parts back

During the evaluation process, you can request that the parts that will be replaced be returned to you. The repair person must agree with your request, unless:

• the repair work is done for free;
• the defective parts are replaced by refurbished parts;
• the merchant must send the defective parts back to the manufacturer or distributor because a repair is under warranty.

Repairs under warranty

A repair person is not required to provide an evaluation when a repair is done for free, such as when it is under warranty.

Prohibited practices

Whatever the computing device that needs repair, false or misleading statements are always prohibited. For example, a repair person breaks the law if they pretend a part is needed for a repair when it is not.

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