Is your computer or your tablet broken? The following tips may be of interest to you before having it repaired.

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.)

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.

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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A repair person must provide an invoice after repairing a computing device that is covered by the law. The invoice must include:

  • Your name and address;
  • The repair person’s name and address;
  • A description of the repaired device;
  • Details of the repair work done;
  • The parts that were replaced and their corresponding prices, including details regarding whether the parts were new, used, or refurbished;
  • The number of labour hours, the hourly rate, and the total labour costs;
  • The total costs for the repairs;
  • Details about the device’s warranty.

Repair work done on a computer or a tablet is guaranteed for 3 months, so make sure the repair date is indicated on the invoice.

Last update : June 27, 2023

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The information contained on this page is presented in simple terms to make it easier to understand. It does not replace the texts of the laws and regulations.