Cracked screens and dead batteries might keep the lights on — but if you’re undercharging to beat a competitor, you’re leaving profit on the table. Many new repair shop owners make the mistake of guessing how much to charge. Some copy the shop down the street. Others go low to attract customers and end up burning out for pennies.
To grow a sustainable, profitable phone repair business, you need a pricing strategy built on numbers, not gut feelings.
So, how much is a phone repair? And how do you price it to stay profitable? Discover six practical tips to help you cover costs, grow your margins, and build a lasting business.
Before you can price any repair service, you need to know the actual cost of the repair, not just the price for parts. That means breaking down the components, labor, and all the hidden expenses that chip away at your profits.
Let’s say you’re replacing a cracked screen on an iPhone 12:
Part cost: $85
Repair time: 30 minutes
Labor cost: $8.50 (if you’re paying techs $17 per hour)
Other costs: Shipping ($5), tool wear ($2), occasional returns or warranty issues ($3 buffer)
Your real cost is closer to $105, not just the $85 for the replacement part. Pricing should reflect both cost and time invested.
Don’t forget about the cost of training staff, tools that wear out over time, parts usage, or the occasional damaged item. It all adds up. You cover the difference if you don't build those into your pricing.
This breakdown helps you avoid undercharging or guessing how much a phone repair costs in your shop. Your value should be based on real data, not assumptions.
If you don't know what other cell phone repair shops are charging, your pricing strategy is based on guesswork, which means you could miss out on valuable sales.
Start by comparing prices from at least three nearby competitors. Check online, call and ask, or do a little mystery shopping. Don’t just focus on the numbers — look for gaps or opportunities, like services they don’t offer or areas where you can improve.
For example, two shops charge $129 for an iPhone screen repair. If you can offer a faster turnaround, a longer warranty, or authorized service parts, you can charge $139 or $149 and still win a customer. Or, in a more price-sensitive market, you could undercut them slightly and charge $119.
Most devices experience similar issues, but the complexity of the repair can differ depending on the model. The price of parts, availability, and demand also influence the repair prices.
That’s why it’s important to think beyond flat rates. Tier your pricing based on the device type, part complexity, and service level. This gives you the flexibility to stay competitive while still protecting your margins.
Here’s how it might look in practice:
iPhone 13 screen repair: Charge premium prices because this expensive part is in high demand and can be repaired quickly.
Galaxy A10 charging port repair: Factor in sourcing time and potential delays since demand is low and parts are harder to find.
iPhone 6 battery replacement: Keep prices modest to stay competitive since this is an easy fix with a cheap part but low demand.
And it’s not just the phone model. How you deliver the service matters, too. Offer tiered pricing based on speed and perks:
Basic repair: Standard turnaround, basic warranty
Premium repair: Same-day service, longer warranty, and priority handling
Customers will pay more for convenience, speed, and peace of mind — especially if you spell it out clearly at checkout or on your pricing board.
Not every job is a quick phone screen repair. Water-damaged phones, data recovery, or motherboard repairs come with higher risks — they take more time, are more likely to fail, and can lead to returns, refunds, or rework even when done correctly. If you’re not building that risk into your pricing, you’re taking the hit.
The same goes for warranty coverage. Offering a 90-day warranty adds more value to your repair services than a 30-day one, but it also increases your store’s liability. To balance that risk, offer both options at different price points.
This gives customers flexibility while protecting your bottom line. Just be sure to clearly explain the trade-offs so they know what they’re getting and what’s covered.
How much is a phone repair that can be done on the spot? Just because a job takes 10 minutes doesn’t mean it should be cheap or free. Quick fixes still require tools, time, and expertise.
So, how do you price short jobs fairly?
Start with a minimum labor charge, like $35, for any repair under 15 minutes. Even something as simple as a charge port cleaning or SIM tray adjustment ties up your techs and uses your resources. The real value isn’t just the fix — it’s knowing how to do it quickly and correctly. If it were easy, the customer wouldn’t be in your shop.
You should also set a baseline diagnostic fee, typically $20 to $30 — especially for walk-ins where the phone issue isn’t obvious. It helps cover the time spent testing, troubleshooting, and evaluating the device.
Those $35 quick fixes and $25 diagnostics add up fast. These small, everyday jobs can be steady money-makers — if you stop giving them away for free.
Every repair is a chance to add value to the customer and increase the average ticket. With the right marketing approach, upsells don’t have to feel pushy — they just need to make sense.
For example:
Offer useful add-ons: Pitch screen protectors, charging cables, or cases at checkout, especially if the customer just cracked their cell phone screen or had to repair a broken phone.
Bundle common repairs: Pair a screen replacement with a battery swap and offer a discount off the total.
Train your staff to upsell: Teach employees to offer upgrades that feel helpful, not salesy. A simple line like, “While we’ve got it open, want to replace the battery, too? It could save you another trip later” makes it feel like a favor.
Customers value convenience and cost savings, particularly when recommendations feel genuine rather than sales-driven.
So, how much is a phone repair? The answer depends on the parts, labor, and how well you’ve built your pricing strategy. As your shop grows, it’s worth reviewing prices regularly.
Even small increases, timed right, can add up fast. Monitor how customers respond, keep an eye on competitor rates, and don’t be afraid to charge more when your service and value justify it.
To make this easier, CellSmart POS gives you everything you need to stay in control. Create detailed repair tickets, reserve parts in advance, and track IMEI numbers alongside customer information.
With built-in features, you can set prices for each repair part, apply or waive diagnostic fees, assign tasks to techs, and even attach before-and-after photos of every repair.
When you know your numbers and have the right point of sale (POS) system backing you up, it’s much easier to charge what your work is worth and stay profitable with every repair.
Request a demo with CellSmart POS and start growing your profits today.