It can be a nightmare when your hard drive fails and you lose all of your data. If you find yourself in such an unfortunate situation, you may be wondering how much it will cost for data recovery.
On average, you should expect to pay around $300-$500 for data recovery when you have accidentally erased directories or files. A logically damaged (ransomware) hard drive will probably cost between $500 and $1,000 to fix, while a physically damaged hard drive will probably cost between $1000 and $3,000 to fix.
In unfortunate situations like data loss from ransomware, you should always opt to recover the data instead of paying the ransom. According to these stats, 84.5% of organizations refused to pay a ransom and used data recovery instead. The following year, stats showed an increase in the number of organizations that got their data back.
These stats showcase the importance of data recovery. If you have lost your data, you must be wondering how much does it cost to retrieve data? Keep on reading to find out more.
What Is Data Recovery?
The process of recovering data that has been lost, deleted, distorted, or rendered unreachable is known as data recovery.
Data restoration in corporate IT generally entails recovering data from a backup to a computer, laptop, server, or external drive. Data recovery becomes essential when it comes to a ransomware incident.
Cost of Data Recovery Varies
The cost of recovering data is not measured by the amount of data or even the drive's capacity but by the time and effort required. Prices vary depending on the data retrieval firm's equipment, expertise, and track record. There is no such thing as a fixed price because each situation is unique.
Don't Mislead By Flat-Rate Prices
Online prices can mislead customers. Customers who see a flat fee online may be surprised if their estimate is more expensive than expected. That’s why data recovery professionals need to inspect the device before providing a final quote.
It is impossible to give an exact price for data recovery because it depends on the type of device and how it was damaged. Some data restoration companies do not disclose the total costs or how much data they can recover because it is difficult to determine the reliability of remote evaluations.
Is It Possible to Get Data Recovery at a Set Cost?
You may have tried to find the exact cost of data retrieval online but it's not usually possible. When an organization assesses your data loss, it may not be able to provide a precise quote. There are numerous reasons why a flat-rate price for data recovery are uncommon.
No Remote Drive Inspection
When you're thousands of miles away, it's hard to estimate the cost of fixing a broken device. Data recovery experts need to see your damaged hard drive to figure out what's wrong with it.
It Is Impossible To Find a Solution That Fits All
A data recovery procedure might seem straightforward, but the process involved in restoring your data requires a substantial skill. There is an average hourly rate of $100–$300 charged by data retrieval specialists.
Pricing will reflect the additional labor required if your damaged hard drive needs replacement parts, technical reconstruction, or advanced recovery methods. It is challenging to offer flat-rate pricing due to the wide range of failures.
Devices
Data recovery experts retrieve lost data from devices like:
- Computers, laptops
- hard drives
- SD cards
- Pen drives
- Digicams
- Mobile devices
- Disks (HDDs)
- SSDs
Restoring Terabytes of information from an inadvertently formatted organization hard drive is the same as recovering Megabytes of data from a crashed USB flash drive. An external hard drive may seem more manageable, but that does not mean it is easier to recover the data.
Types of Device Failures
To give you a better idea of what's involved in data recovery, we've compiled a list of some common device failures that can damage your hard drive and make it inaccessible.
A Mechanical Breakdown
When your hard disk or other data storage device fails mechanically, you may notice it immediately. Many loud, squeaky, glitchy, and different sounds occur when a fault appears on a hard drive due to physical damage.
If you suspect a mechanical problem with your drive, shut it down immediately. Further use of a damaged hard drive may result in irreversible deterioration of internal parts and data loss. By using the device, you drastically reduce your chances of recovering data.
A mechanical failure of a hard drive may require it to be taken to a facility where data retrieval specialists can meticulously recreate the failed components. If dust or dirt penetrates the disk during this operation, catastrophic data loss can result.
Intuitive Failure
A logical failure on a hard hard drive is another possibility. In computer systems or when data is corrupted on storage devices, these errors may not be as apparent as mechanical errors. The program may have problems or other complications, such as:
- Unintentional file destruction
- Misformatting
- Harm to directories
A hard drive may not work or recognize certain sections during a logical breakdown.
Viruses or Malware
You may have suffered data loss from a ransomware attack or another virus infecting your computer. A significant source of information leakage is malware and ransomware, which includes:
- Loss of data
- Alert notification on your desktop
- Updated document encodings
- Inaccessible files or folders
Ransomware recovery services can assist you in restoring your data if it has been locked or affected by malware.
Other common reasons
There are many reasons why a hard drive may fail.
- Accidental deletion
- Water or fire damage
- Failed boot records
- Bad sectors on a hard drive
- Hardware malfunctions
- Head crashes
- Electronic component failures
What is the Cost of Recovering Data from a Hard Drive?
Depending on these criteria, basic hard drive file recovery fees range from $300 to $500. When calculating data recovery cost, you have to consider the level of damage and the extent of data extraction. Data recovery from a hard drive could be costly if:
- A mechanical failure occurred
- An electrical problem occurred
- Failed to update firmware
- Multi-failure experience
Data recovery firms classify failed files into basic, standard, and advanced categories. These classifications will help you understand what to expect during your data recovery case and the extent of the problem. In most cases, a hard disk recovery that requires extensive recovery will cost between $800 and $2,200.
What is the Recovery Time for Damaged Drives?
Usually, it will take 2 to 5 days to recover the data from the damaged devices, but the time range varies on the data and problem. Depending on how quickly you need your data restored, the majority of data recovery service providers will offer varying tiers of turnaround time.
The actual turnaround time varies amongst data recovery companies, but they can range from standard to emergency levels. It will obviously cost much more if you choose an expedited recovery.
You also need to consider shipping time to and from the recovery company.
Why Is It So Expensive To Restore Data?
Data retrieval can be pricey. Stolen files, erased files, and malfunctioning hard drives require professional skills to ensure data recovery. Let's take a closer look at the reasons:
Dedicated Facilities
To fix the hard disk, a data recovery company must have a professional Class 100 Pure Clean laboratory, where the air is guaranteed to be dust-free. In the lab environment, adequate ventilation, high-quality air, and temperature control are essential for recovery. This type of facility is very expensive to build and maintain.
Labor
Experts with extensive training and experience will handle your hard drive. The engineers tackling the project are highly skilled specialists in their respective disciplines. This position demands high salaries.
Moreover, their efforts alone are worth a few extra dollars. Data recovery centers and other reputable service providers are steadfast about hiring only the best.
Replacement Components
It may be necessary to replace damaged hard drive components. To get data back from a hard disk, you must fix motors, hard disks, arms, and heads, among other things.
Machinery
When it comes to data recovery, robotic machinery is used by some restoration companies. These tools can extract even the tiniest components. You can also rely on their competence and dependability. In this way, they serve as an expensive lab partner that increases the cost of data retrieval.
Timing of Recovery
Time is money. The time it takes to recover data also contributes to the high costs. What is the turnaround time for recovering lost data? There is a time cost associated with installing a larger physical hard drive. Companies specializing in recovery services can often do so in less than 24 to 72 hours.
Is It Possible for Me to Recover the Data Myself?
You may investigate your options for recovering data from a failed hard drive or storage device. It is strongly recommended that you do not attempt to recover data using a DIY method, as it is can leave your data permanently lost and irretrievable.
If you intend to restore the data on your own, you need to identify the type of hardware failures mentioned above and the extent of hard drive damage. Data recovery tools and resources are plentiful in the wild, and many of them may be able to assist you in recovering your files.
If you don't want to spend money on recovery, you could try to repair your damaged hard drive on your own.
To recover your data, you may have to bear the following costs:
- Software for recovering data
- Quality tools for the repair of disk disks mechanical fault
- Imaging equipment and additional storage space
- Building a cleanroom environment or a hood for recovering data
One must have decades of experience and training in multiple data recovery procedures to successfully recover data.
What Should I Do With My Corrupted Hard Drive?
The information provided here will help you make an educated decision regarding data retrieval after a hard drive has been damaged. If you decide to go the DIY data retrieval route, please remember the apparent risks involved. You may permanently damage your files if you attempt to recover them incorrectly.
Our Opinion?
Depending on how valuable the data is to you and the extent of the damage, it can be costly and time consuming to restore. To ensure that your essential data gets back to you safely, we recommend hiring a professional.
