Thoughtful Computer Solutions: Services and Pricing

Services are provided direct to the customer, so be the one experiencing the issue, and not someone contacting TCS on someone else's behalf, thank you. The best way to contact TCS and move the process along quickly is to have the following information ready:

What to Provide

Your name
Business name (if any)
Phone number
Email address
Zip code
Windows version (Win 11, Win 10, or other)
Note: No services for Apple products or any smartphones.
Whether the PC is used for a business or organization in any way
PC brand, model number, and serial number
Description of the problem(s)/issue(s) — details can be discussed after initial contact by voice, email, or text. Avoid saying things like, "This is an easy problem to solve...", etc. — it rarely is so, else you wouldn't be contacting TCS to begin with.

Pricing & Payment

$89 minimum charge (Win 11)/$99 minimum charge (Win 10) per problem/issue for troubleshooting
If repair is completed within the first hour: $89 total (Win 11)/ $99 total (Win 10)
Otherwise, you will be contacted with repair options, costs, and estimated time
The $89 or $99 minimum applies whether or not you accept any repair option — it is not an hourly charge
Invoice sent via PayPal email; must be paid via PayPal before pickup — no PayPal account required; credit cards accepted
No check or cash accepted

The Process

Contact TCS by voice, email, or text with the information above to confirm whether TCS can assist with your needs.
Arrange a drop-off time (absolutely no walk-ins). Bring your PC, and charger if a laptop. Pickup/return service may be available — inquire.
At the prearranged time, park in any available spot on the south side of Railroad St.
Call or text when parked, providing your vehicle type and color. Wait in your vehicle — someone will be out to receive your PC pronto.
Your PC will be received curbside and a drop-off receipt provided.
You will typically be contacted the same day, or within 24 hours, with findings or results.

IMPORTANT: Back up your data before drop-off if at all possible. TCS is not responsible for any data loss. Data backup prior to troubleshooting is an extra charge and may be required if you value your data and the repair process demands it.

Rate-based Hourly Services: $89 (Win 11), $99 (Win 10)
Individual user training and support (Windows usage, data and file management, data backup, password management, email, Internet, etc.)
System troubleshooting and diagnosis
Consumer-grade hardware setup and configuration
Software installation and configuration
Service provider or cloud service setup and configuration
Computer cleaning (inside and out)
Networking
Malware removal
Liason services
Remotely-rendered services

Rate-based Hourly Services: $89 (Win 11), $99 (Win 10)

Individual user training and support (Windows usage, data and file management, data backup, password management, email, Internet, etc.)

System troubleshooting and diagnosis

Consumer-grade hardware setup and configuration

Software installation and configuration

Service provider or cloud service setup and configuration

Computer cleaning (inside and out)

Networking

Malware removal

Liason services

Remotely-rendered services

Group Rates, Projects, Other
Consulting, planning, hardware, software, service recommendation, and projects	Contact TCS
Services provided to, or intended for, user groups	Contact TCS

Group Rates, Projects, Other

Consulting, planning, hardware, software, service recommendation, and projects

Contact TCS

Services provided to, or intended for, user groups

Contact TCS

Fixed-price Services (typical minimums)
PC evaluation	$89 (Win 11), $99 (Win 10)
New PC recommendation	$99
BIOS or UEFI update	Varies
New drive installation. Includes: drive test, partitioning and formatting (if desired), and installation. Does not include any software or data services.	$89 (Win 11), $99 (Win 10)
Operating system factory recovery with latest drivers, BIOS, and OS updates. Manufacturer website must show that Windows 11 was available for the PC as installed or as an upgrade and is supported for the PC. PC must not have any issues. 8th gen or later Intel processors and equivalent AMD processors.	$199 (Win 11)
Data transfer	$89
Data recovery (no mechanically or electronicly failed drives and does not include drive R&R)	$99
Home wireless router setup and configuration (Wi-Fi router and up to 2 devices, additional devices $39/each)	$199
Single component installation or replacement (Per component. Excl. memory and motherboards.)	$99
Laptop interior cleaning: fan, heat sink, intake & exhaust vents, case	$89 ($49 w/other component install)
Drive removal for testing, partitioning, wiping, or data recovery	$89
Motherboard removal and replacement (same as original)	Contact TCS
Custom computer builds (In quantity only for groups or organizations as per agreement.)	Contact TCS

Fixed-price Services (typical minimums)

PC evaluation

$89 (Win 11), $99 (Win 10)

New PC recommendation

$99

BIOS or UEFI update

Varies

New drive installation. Includes: drive test, partitioning and formatting (if desired), and installation. Does not include any software or data services.

$89 (Win 11), $99 (Win 10)

Operating system factory recovery with latest drivers, BIOS, and OS updates. Manufacturer website must show that Windows 11 was available for the PC as installed or as an upgrade and is supported for the PC. PC must not have any issues. 8th gen or later Intel processors and equivalent AMD processors.

$199 (Win 11)

Data transfer

$89

Data recovery (no mechanically or electronicly failed drives and does not include drive R&R)

$99

Home wireless router setup and configuration (Wi-Fi router and up to 2 devices, additional devices $39/each)

$199

Single component installation or replacement (Per component. Excl. memory and motherboards.)

$99

Laptop interior cleaning: fan, heat sink, intake & exhaust vents, case

$89 ($49 w/other component install)

Drive removal for testing, partitioning, wiping, or data recovery

$89

Motherboard removal and replacement (same as original)

Contact TCS

Custom computer builds (In quantity only for groups or organizations as per agreement.)

Contact TCS

Memory upgrades Memory upgrades may require a BIOS upgrade, a separate service. You will be notified if this is the case before any service is performed.
Memory upgrade (typical)	$99
Laptop memory upgrade requiring motherboard removal	$189

Memory upgrades
Memory upgrades may require a BIOS upgrade, a separate service. You will be notified if this is the case before any service is performed.

Memory upgrade (typical)

$99

Laptop memory upgrade requiring motherboard removal

$189

Standalone HDD and SSD Services (SATA and NVME drives) Prices are for components not installed in a PC or enclosure. Requesting partitioning, wiping, or data transfer on failed or failing drives will incur a drive testing charge. Data should be backed-up before submitting a drive to TCS for service, for TCS will not be responsible for any data loss or corruption.
Cloning	$89
Testing	$89
Data wiping	$89

Standalone HDD and SSD Services (SATA and NVME drives)
Prices are for components not installed in a PC or enclosure. Requesting partitioning, wiping, or data transfer on failed or failing drives will incur a drive testing charge. Data should be backed-up before submitting a drive to TCS for service, for TCS will not be responsible for any data loss or corruption.

Cloning

$89

Testing

$89

Data wiping

$89

On-site Callout Charges
Sandwich (proper)	$0
Plano	$15
Somonauk	$15
Lake Holiday	$15
Wildwood	$15
Little Rock	$20
Millbrook	$20
Millington	$30
Newark	$35
Leland	$35
Yorkville	$45
Hinckley	$45
Big Rock	$45
Bristol	$50
Oswego	$55
Sugar Grove	$55
Boulder Hill	$70
Montgomery	$70
Aurora	$80
Other	Call

On-site Callout Charges

Sandwich (proper)

Plano

$15

Somonauk

$15

Lake Holiday

$15

Wildwood

$15

Little Rock

$20

Millbrook

$20

Millington

$30

Newark

$35

Leland

$35

Yorkville

$45

Hinckley

$45

Big Rock

$45

Bristol

$50

Oswego

$55

Sugar Grove

$55

Boulder Hill

$70

Montgomery

$70

Aurora

$80

Other

Call

Pricing and charges

Rate-based services have a minimum one hour charge.

Fixed-price services are not available at time-based rates.

The prices given on this page are typical and a minimum. Actual cost will be determined and conveyed to you before services are rendered.

The tables below are not exhaustive and the rates are typical for homes and small business (standalone desktop and laptop PCs, peer-to-peer systems, or very simple client-server systems).

Some services may be only available as in-shop services rather than on-site (and vice-versa).

Prices do not include any applicable taxes nor the cost of any hardware, software, adapters, cables, supplies required.

Hardware and software will be billed separately and must be paid by customer in advance before any services will be rendered. A 10% procurment charge for hardware and software will be added to the associated services invoice.

A callout charge will apply for onsite service, pick-up, or drop-off that is outside of Sandwich, IL (see the "On-site Callout Charges" table below).

Payment and invoicing

Payment for in-shop and remote services is via PayPal. An invoice from TCS will be sent to your email address or your phone number. You can use a credit card, debit card, or your PayPal account (a PayPal account is not required to pay an invoice).

Payment for in-shop services must be made before your computer is returned to you.

Payment for remote services must be made the day the services are rendered.

Payment in cash for on-site break-fix services at residential addresses before TCS personnel leave the client site is required, unless otherwise noted by TCS personnel.

Services notes

Services have to be clearly business-oriented to get billed to a company.

Services rendered at residential addresses, or remotely to residential addresses, will likely be billed by TCS to the homeowner or resident, and the invoice will have on it, the residential address at which the service was rendered.

Communications with your ISP, manufacturer of your computer to obtain parts, etc., including letters and emails solicited by you for use in whole or in part to interact with those third party vendors and service providers falls under the category "Liason services" in the tables above.

Prior to servicing

Please clean and disinfect the outside of your computer to prepare it for in-shop or onsite service.

Please ensure that your data is backed-up and your system is imaged before any on-site or in-shop service is performed by TCS.

TCS is not responsible for data loss or system corruption. (Backup and image your system!).

Your computer system hardware, software, configuration, and data

YOU ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT YOU ARE SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR MAINTAINING AND PERFORMING A COMPLETE AND COMPREHENSIVE BACKUP OF ALL DATA AND SOFTWARE STORED ON ANY EQUIPMENT OR DEVICE BEFORE PROVIDING ACCESS TO SUCH EQUIPMENT OR DEVICE TO TCS AND ALLOWING TCS TO PERFORM ANY SERVICE. YOU FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT TCS HAS NO RESPONSIBILITY OR LIABILITY WHATSOEVER UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE FOR ANY LOSS, DAMAGE, DESTRUCTION, HARM OR CORRUPTION THAT MAY ARISE FROM OR BE RELATED IN ANY WAY TO THIS AGREEMENT, THE SERVICES, THE EQUIPMENT OR DEVICE, OR DATA THEREON, INCLUDING CUSTOMER DATA, BUSINESS INTERRUPTION, WORKS OF LITERATURE, PHOTOGRAPHS, INFORMATION NECESSARY OR MATERIAL TO THE PERFORMANCE OF YOUR OCCUPATION, INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, PERSONAL IDENTIFYING INFORMATION, SOFTWARE OR HARDWARE. IF YOU EXPRESSLY PURCHASE DATA BACKUP AS PART OF THE SERVICES, TCS WILL REASONABLY ATTEMPT TO PROVIDE SUCH SERVICES, SUBJECT TO THE LIMITS OF OUR BACKUP SOFTWARE AND THE INTEGRITY AND ACCESSIBILITY OF YOUR DEVICE AND THE RELEVANT DATA. IF TCS IS UNABLE, OR FAILS, TO PERFORM THE BACKUP SERVICES FOR ANY REASON (INCLUDING OUR OWN NEGLIGENCE), OR IF ANY BACKUP REQUESTED DATA IS LOST, DAMAGED, INACCESSIBLE OR ERRONEOUSLY TRANSFERRED TO OR FROM YOUR DEVICE DURING THE BACKUP PROCESS, OUR MAXIMUM LIABILITY IS LIMITED TO A REFUND OF THE FEE PAID BY YOU FOR SERVICES AND SOLUTIONS RENDERED. YOU AGREE THAT DAMAGES RESULTING FROM DESTROYED OR LOST DATA ARE DIFFICULT OR IMPOSSIBLE TO ACCURATELY ESTIMATE, AND THAT THE LIQUIDATED DAMAGES SET FORTH HEREIN REPRESENT REASONABLE COMPENSATION. TCS WILL NOT PROVIDE BACKUP COPIES OR SUPPORT INSTALLATION OF UNLICENSED SOFTWARE TO CUSTOMERS. YOU REPRESENT AND WARRANT TO TCS THAT ANY SOFTWARE AND OTHER DATA INSTALLED OR ACCESSIBLE ON YOUR DEVICE IS PROPERLY LICENSED TO, OR OWNED BY, YOU. The Services purchased by you may include data recovery. TCS will use commercially reasonable efforts to recover your lost data and files using basic and advanced methods. Methods include, but are not limited to, current software and hardware techniques as well as proprietary methods developed for data recovery. Please note that TCS may not be able to recover any data from your device and makes no guarantees or assurances that TCS will be successful recovering any data or information despite making commercial reasonable efforts. You request that TCS proceed with data recovery efforts solely at your own risk.