How much should I charge for a phone screen repair?

Screen repair pricing depends on the phone model, part quality (OEM vs aftermarket), and your local market. A common formula: parts cost × 2.5-3x for the final price. For an iPhone 15 screen, this typically lands at $80-150 depending on your area.

Should I charge a diagnostic fee?

Yes. A diagnostic fee ($20-50) compensates your time and expertise even if the customer declines the repair. Most shops waive the diagnostic fee if the customer proceeds with the repair, which incentivizes them to say yes.

How do I handle price objections from customers?

Lead with transparency. Show the parts cost, explain your labor and warranty, and compare to the cost of replacement. Customers who understand what they’re paying for rarely object. Sending a detailed estimate via text (using a tool like FixyFlow) also helps — it feels more professional than a verbal quote.

Repair Shop Pricing Guide: How to Set Rates That Are Fair and Profitable

By FixyFlow TeamJanuary 10, 20265 min read

Pricing repairs is uncomfortable. Charge too much and customers walk. Charge too little and you're working 12-hour days just to break even. Most repair shop owners pick a number that “feels right” and stick with it — even when it's costing them money.

Here's how to price with confidence.

Cost-plus pricing: the foundation for repair shops

This is the simplest model and where every shop should start:

Final price = (parts cost × markup) + labor

For most phone and electronics repairs:

Parts markup: 2.5–3x. A $40 screen becomes $100–120 in the final price.
Labor rate: $50–100/hour, or a flat fee per repair type. Most shops use flat fees because customers prefer knowing the total upfront.

Example: iPhone 15 screen repair. Parts cost $45. You charge $130. That's a 2.9x markup covering parts, labor, overhead, and profit. The repair takes 30 minutes. Your effective hourly rate is $170/hour. That's where you want to be.

If your effective hourly rate drops below $80, your prices are too low.

When to use market-rate pricing instead

Cost-plus works until it doesn't. Some repairs have cheap parts but high difficulty — and your cost-plus formula would underprice them.

Check what competitors in your area charge. Google “[your city] iPhone screen repair” and note the top 5 results. Price within that range. You don't need to be the cheapest — you need to be competitive while offering better service.

Market-rate pricing works best for:

Common repairs (screen replacements, battery swaps) where customers shop around
Walk-in heavy shops where foot traffic is price-sensitive
Areas with 3+ competitors within a mile

Value-based pricing for specialty repairs

Some services are worth far more than parts + labor. Data recovery from a water-damaged phone? A customer would pay $300–500 to get their photos back. The parts cost is nearly zero.

Use value-based pricing for:

Data recovery — $150–500 depending on difficulty
Board-level microsoldering — $100–300+
Same-day / rush service — 1.5–2x your normal rate
Unlocking or software services — $30–80 for 5 minutes of work

The customer isn't paying for your time. They're paying for the outcome.

Diagnostic fees: charge them (and when to waive them)

A diagnostic fee ($20–50) solves a real problem: people dropping off devices, wasting your time diagnosing, then saying “never mind, I'll just buy a new one.”

Best practice: charge a diagnostic fee and waive it if the customer approves the repair. This way:

You get compensated for your expertise either way
Customers have an incentive to proceed with the repair
Tire-kickers stop wasting your bench time

Post your diagnostic fee clearly — on your website, on signage, and in your intake form. No surprises.

Presenting estimates so customers say yes

How you communicate the price matters as much as the price itself. A verbal “it'll be about 150” over the phone gets forgotten, misremembered, or disputed. A written estimate sent via text feels professional and creates a record.

Here's what works:

Break it down — show parts, labor, and any fees separately. Transparency builds trust.
Explain what's included — “Includes 90-day warranty on parts and labor.”
Send it in writing — a text message with the estimate lets the customer review it on their own time and reply YES when ready.
Compare to replacement cost — “$130 repair vs. $800+ for a new phone” reframes the value.

Shops that send written estimates see higher approval rates than those that only quote verbally. Customers trust what they can read and re-read. Learn more about how clear communication prevents disputes in our guide on preventing bad reviews through better customer experience.

Transparent pricing builds trust (and repeat business)

The shops with the best reviews and the most repeat customers aren't the cheapest. They're the most transparent. Customers don't mind paying — they mind being surprised.

Send your estimate via text before starting work. Update them if the scope changes. Give them a clear total at pickup. Tools like FixyFlow make this seamless — update the job status, send the estimate via SMS, and keep a record of everything. No disputes, no surprises, no bad reviews about “hidden fees.”

Price fairly, communicate clearly, and let the quality of your work justify every dollar.