Service Terms & Conditions
Last updated: July 2026
We aim to keep our services transparent, fair, and easy to understand. These terms explain how our repair process, pricing, and collection services work.
1. Service Area & Collection
We provide collection and delivery services within an 8-mile radius of our workshop in Ash, Aldershot. A £5 fee applies anywhere in the 8 to 10 mile radius and anything over 10 miles is handled on a case-by-case basis, depending on travel time and job size.
Missed Collections: If our driver arrives at the agreed time and no one is available to hand over the device, a £15.00 Missed Appointment Fee will be charged to reschedule.
2. Rates & Estimates
Labour Rate: Our standard labour rate is £40.00 per hour (billed in 30-minute increments after the first hour).
Estimates: We will always provide a clear quote for parts and labour before proceeding with any repair work.
3. “No Fix, No Fee” Policy
Our “No Fix, No Fee” policy means you will not be charged for repair labour if we are unable to provide a viable repair solution for your device.
This applies where:
The fault cannot be repaired using commercially reasonable methods.
Required replacement parts are obsolete, unavailable, or prohibitively expensive.
If a repair solution is available and approved by you, normal labour and parts charges will apply.
If a repair solution is available but you choose not to proceed with the quoted work, our Diagnostic & Travel Fee may still apply.
4. Annual PC Service Thermal Guarantee
Our Annual PC Service comes with a performance guarantee: "If we don't improve your PC's thermal performance, your service is 100% free."
To maintain absolute transparency, thermal performance is benchmarked before and after the service under controlled stress-testing conditions (using Cinebench and diagnostic logging software like HWiNFO64).
An "improvement in thermal performance" is defined as meeting one or more of the following criteria under equivalent testing loads:
Lower Temperatures: A reduction in maximum CPU or GPU package temperatures.
Elimination of Throttling: The successful resolution of a hardware "Thermal Throttling" state flag.
Better Acoustics: A reduction in maximum fan speeds (RPM), resulting in a quieter system.
Sustained Speeds: An increase in average effective clock speeds under prolonged load.
Exclusions to this guarantee:
Optimal Systems: If a PC is delivered already performing at maximum thermal and structural efficiency (e.g., a brand new or perfectly maintained PC with zero dust or thermal degradation), we will inform you before starting work that the guarantee does not apply, though the deep clean and validation service can still be performed.
Software Variance: Minor synthetic benchmark score fluctuations (e.g., minor run-to-run point differences in Cinebench caused by automatic background operating system tasks) do not qualify for a waiver of fees if temperature, clock speed, or acoustic improvements have been successfully achieved.
5. Diagnostic & Travel Fee (£30)
A £30.00 Diagnostic & Travel Fee applies where diagnostic work has been carried out but the repair is not completed. This fee covers travel, collection/delivery, testing time, and fault diagnosis.
This fee applies if:
A repair solution is identified but you choose not to proceed.
The device is tested and found to be working as intended.
The device is deemed beyond economical repair (BER).
If you proceed with the quoted repair, this fee is waived and included within the final repair cost.
6. Photography & Marketing Consent
By agreeing to work with us, you acknowledge and accept that photographs and video footage of your device, components, or repair process may be taken and used for marketing and promotional purposes, including but not limited to social media, our website, printed materials, and online advertising.
We will never intentionally publish personal files, passwords, email addresses, licence keys, or other sensitive information visible on the device. If requested, we can avoid using identifiable photographs or videos of your specific device.
6.1 Local & Proximity Marketing
To support our local community outreach and marketing (such as distributing "Neighbour Cards" or local promotional materials in the immediate vicinity of a completed service), you agree that we may occasionally share minimal, non-sensitive details.
This is strictly limited to referencing your first name and/or house number (for example: "We have recently completed a PC service for [First Name] at [House Number]"). We will never publish or share full names, full addresses, contact details, or specific technical/repair details under this campaign.
Your Right to Opt Out: We fully respect your privacy. If you would prefer that we do not use your first name or house number for any local proximity marketing, simply let us know at the time of booking or contact us directly, and we will immediately exclude your job from these campaigns.
7. Environmental Responsibility
We aim to minimise our environmental impact wherever reasonably possible. As part of this, devices or replacement parts may occasionally be returned in reused packaging, which may contain branding unrelated to your specific product or repair.
Where possible, we also aim to responsibly recycle or dispose of electronic waste (e-waste), faulty components, and packaging materials through appropriate recycling channels.
8. Payment Terms
Payment is due upon completion of the repair and prior to return or delivery of the device, unless otherwise agreed in writing.
We accept payment by bank transfer and card payment.
9. Data & Backups
Customers are responsible for backing up any important files, software, licences, or personal data before repair work is carried out.
While every reasonable care is taken during repairs and upgrades, we cannot guarantee against accidental data loss, corruption, or drive failure during the repair process.
10. Cost Transparency, Authorizations, and Repair Viability
10.1 Prior Authorization of Costs
The Computer Shed will provide an initial estimate for parts and labor prior to commencing any repair work. No additional repair work outside the original scope will be undertaken without the Customer’s explicit agreement (via email, text, or phone).
10.2 Economic Viability Assessment
As part of our diagnostic service, we provide an honest, professional assessment regarding the economic viability of the repair. If, in our professional opinion, the estimated cost of repair exceeds the current fair market value of the device, or if the device's age makes future failures highly likely, we will advise the Customer against the repair.
10.3 Limitation of Advice Liability
Any recommendation provided by The Computer Shed regarding whether a device is "worth repairing" is an opinion based strictly on visible defects, estimated part costs, and general market value at the time of assessment.
This assessment does not constitute a guarantee, warranty, or insurance policy regarding the future performance, longevity, or reliability of the device or its un-serviced components.
The ultimate decision to proceed with or decline a repair rests solely with the Customer. The Computer Shed shall not be held liable for subsequent unrelated hardware or software failures that occur after a recommended repair is completed.
11. Abandoned Devices and Failed Delivery
11.1 Schedule of Return Delivery
Once your device is repaired, deemed unrepairable, or you choose not to proceed with a repair, we will notify you to arrange return delivery.
11.2 Abandoned Property Timeline
If return delivery cannot be arranged, or if we receive no response from you to schedule delivery within 60 days of our initial notification, the device will be deemed abandoned.
11.3 Right of Disposal
For any abandoned device, The Computer Shed reserves the right to dispose of, recycle, or sell the equipment to recover our administrative, diagnostic, and repair costs. We will attempt to contact you multiple times via your provided contact details before taking this action. To protect your privacy, any data remaining on the device will be securely and permanently destroyed prior to disposal or resale.
12. Limitation of Liability
12.1 Consequential Loss Exclusions
While we take the utmost care with your equipment, The Computer Shed will not be liable for any indirect, special, or consequential losses. This includes, but is not limited to, loss of business, income, revenue, profits, data, data recovery costs, or opportunities arising from a device failure or a delayed repair.
12.2 Maximum Liability Cap
Our maximum financial liability to you for any claim relating to our services, negligence, or breach of contract shall not exceed the total amount you paid to The Computer Shed for that specific service or repair job.
13. Turnaround Times and Delays
13.1 Timeframe Estimates
Any timeframes provided for diagnostics, servicing, or repairs are estimates only and do not form a binding contract. While we always aim to return your device as quickly as possible, delays can occur due to parts availability, supplier backlogs, courier transit delays, or complex diagnostic troubleshooting. We will keep you updated if a repair is taking longer than initially anticipated, but we accept no liability for any inconvenience caused by such delays.
14. Software and Licensing
14.1 License Responsibility
It is the Customer’s sole responsibility to ensure they possess valid, legal licenses for any operating systems or software they request us to install, reinstall, or activate. The Computer Shed will not install pirated, cracked, or unlicensed software under any circumstances.
14.2 Activation Issues
We are not responsible for software activation issues, warnings, or deactivations stemming from invalid or counterfeit licenses previously installed on the device by the customer or a third party.
15. Repair Warranty
15.1 Integration of Guarantee Policy
All hardware repairs performed by The Computer Shed are backed by our standard warranty on parts and labor. The full details, duration, conditions, and exclusions of this coverage can be found in our standalone Guarantee Policy, which is fully incorporated into and forms part of these terms.