How Much Does Data Recovery Cost?
Data recovery prices range from $100 to $2,000+ depending on the type of failure. This guide explains exactly what you will pay and why, with transparent pricing from a lab that does not hide behind "contact us for quote" tactics.
Data Recovery Cost: Quick Answer
- $Logical Recovery: $100-$500 (deleted files, formatted drive, partition issues)
- $$Firmware Issues: $300-$1,200 (drive not detected, wrong capacity, translator errors)
- $$$Mechanical Failure: $1,000-$2,000 (clicking, beeping, head swap required)
- $$$$RAID/Complex: $1,500-$5,000+ (RAID arrays, multi-drive systems)
These are Rossmann Repair Group prices. Large corporate labs (DriveSavers, Ontrack) charge 2-3x more for the same work.
Data Recovery Cost by Failure Type
The cost of data recovery depends primarily on what is wrong with your drive. A simple file deletion is cheap to fix; a mechanical head crash requires expensive donor parts and hours of clean bench work.
| Failure Type | Rossmann Price | DriveSavers/Ontrack | What's Involved |
|---|---|---|---|
| Logical Recovery | $100-$500 | $500-$1,500 | Software imaging and file system repair. Drive reads normally. |
| Corrupted File System | $100-$500 | $500-$1,500 | Partition table repair, MBR/GPT rebuild, RAW file system recovery. |
| Firmware/Not Detected | $300-$1,200 | $1,000-$2,500 | ROM transfer, translator repair, Service Area patching via PC-3000. |
| PCB/Electronics Repair | $300-$800 | $800-$1,500 | TVS diode replacement, ROM chip transfer, motor driver repair. |
| Head Swap (Clicking) | $1,000-$2,000 | $2,000-$3,500+ | Clean bench head transplant from donor drive, careful imaging. |
| Stiction (Beeping) | $1,000-$2,000 | $2,000-$3,500+ | Head unstick procedure, often followed by head swap. |
| SSD Recovery | $300-$2,500 | $1,000-$3,500+ | Controller repair, firmware fix, or NAND chip-off (complex). |
| RAID Array Recovery | $1,500-$5,000+ | $3,000-$10,000+ | Multiple drive imaging, array reconstruction, per-member recovery. |
| Evaluation Fee | FREE | Free (but check) | We diagnose and quote for free. Some shops charge $50-$150. |
What Determines Data Recovery Cost?
Type of Failure
This is the biggest factor. Logical issues (software) cost less than firmware issues, which cost less than mechanical failures requiring donor parts and clean bench work.
Donor Parts Needed
Head swaps require exact-match donor drives. Rare or newer models may cost more because the donor parts cost more to source. We maintain inventory to reduce delays.
Drive Capacity
Larger drives take longer to image. A 500GB drive might image in hours; an 8TB drive can take days. This affects labor time and total cost.
Severity of Damage
A clicking drive caught early has better odds than one that was powered on repeatedly or opened at home. More damage means more work and higher cost.
Urgency Level
Standard service takes 5-10 business days. Emergency rush service (24-72 hours) costs more due to priority queue and overtime work.
Lab Overhead
Corporate labs like DriveSavers spend heavily on marketing and referral programs. We don't. You pay for engineering work, not advertising budgets.
Why Data Recovery Costs What It Does
Data recovery is not like replacing a phone screen. It requires specialized equipment, years of training, and significant time investment per case.
Equipment Costs
- PC-3000: $30,000+ for the base system
- DeepSpar DDI: $15,000+ for imaging hardware
- Clean bench: $5,000-$15,000 with HEPA/ULPA filtration
- Microscopes: $2,000-$10,000 for precision work
- Donor inventory: $10,000+ in spare drives
- Software licenses: Annual fees for forensic tools
Time Investment
- Diagnosis: 30 minutes to 2 hours per drive
- Imaging: Hours to days depending on capacity and damage
- Mechanical work: 1-4 hours of clean bench time
- Recovery: Hours of file system analysis
- Verification: Checking recovered files open correctly
- Some cases span weeks with multiple recovery attempts
No Data, No Charge Guarantee
If we cannot recover your files, you pay nothing for the recovery attempt. You only pay return shipping if you want the original drive back. This applies to all cases, regardless of complexity.
Learn more about our guarantee →Data Recovery Cost: Common Questions
How much does hard drive data recovery cost?
Hard drive data recovery costs between $100 and $2,000+ at Rossmann Repair Group. Logical issues (deleted files, formatting) cost $100-$500. Firmware problems cost $300-$1,200. Mechanical failures requiring head swaps cost $1,000-$2,000. Corporate labs like DriveSavers charge 2-3x more for identical work.
Why is data recovery so expensive?
Professional data recovery requires specialized equipment (PC-3000 costs $30,000+), trained technicians, clean room facilities, donor drive inventory, and significant time per case. Unlike most repairs, each data recovery case is unique and requires careful diagnosis and execution.
Is there a fee if you cannot recover my data?
No. Our No Data, No Charge policy means you pay nothing if we cannot recover your files. Evaluation is always free. You only pay return shipping if you want your original drive back after an unsuccessful recovery attempt.
Why is Rossmann cheaper than DriveSavers?
DriveSavers spends heavily on marketing, Apple partnerships, and referral commissions to computer repair shops. These costs are built into their prices. We use the same professional equipment but operate without marketing overhead. You pay for engineering work, not advertising budgets. Read our analysis.
How do I get an accurate quote?
Ship your drive to our Austin lab for a free evaluation. We diagnose the problem, determine exactly what work is needed, and provide a firm quote before any billable work begins. No surprises, no bait-and-switch pricing.
Should I try data recovery software first?
Only if your drive is healthy (no clicking, beeping, or slow reads). If the drive has physical symptoms, running software forces it to work harder and can destroy recoverable data. We offer a free DIY guide for healthy drives.
Get an accurate quote for your drive
Free evaluation. No data, no charge. Mail-in from anywhere in the U.S.