10 questions you should ask when talking to data recovery companies. When you have the answers to these questions you will be armed with the information you need to make an informed decision about choosing the right data recovery solution for your needs.

Do you have a cleanroom?
You don't want to choose a data recovery company that does not have a cleanroom because the smallest dust particles, and even finger prints can make your data unrecoverable. If the answer is yes, make sure you ask for a certificate of inspection. a typical hard drive recovery cleanroom will be a class 100 cleanroom. You owe it to yourself to get proof.

Do you replace parts?
If your drive has failed mechanically: if it is clicking, not spinning, making unusual sounds it is going to require parts. Find out if the data recovery company replaces parts and what type of parts do they replace.

How much do parts cost you?
When you take your car in for repair, the mechanic gives you a price for parts. A trustworthy data recovery company should be willing to give you an average cost for parts. You should be leary of companies that give you a run around or refuse to tell you how much parts cost them.

What is your success rate at recovering ALL hard drives you look at?
Don't let website statements like "we have a 95% success rate" or "we recover 97% of all hard drives" cloud your thinking. The fact is: even the best data recovery companies can only recover data from 65 to 70% of all hard drives they look at.

How can you afford to perform a free evaluation?
Many data recovery companies offer a no data, no charge guarantee. Others charge an evaluation or attempt fee. The answer to the previous question revealed their cost for parts so, if they replace parts; how can they afford to do a free evaluation? If you dig deep enough you will usually find that "your situation doesn't fit this criteria" or "your hard drive requires more extensive work than we thought". Remember - if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Based on my symptoms, how much do you think mine will cost?
In most cases you will receive a broad range price quote for recovering your data. It is in your best interest to narrow that range down. You deserve to know whether your situation will come in on the low side or the high side. You wouldn't accept a Dr. telling you that surgery on your heart will be between $25,000 and $75,000, but I'll tell you for sure AFTER I complete the surgery. You'd run for the door looking for a Dr. that will tell you the truth.

Where will my data be recovered?
A lot of companies lead you to believe that they have data recovery labs all over the country and that they recover data at each of these locations. You need to find out if they perform the entire data recovery process at the location they are asking you to send your hard drive to or drop it off at. You will find that most are drop and ship only locations and that they do not perform data recovery at these locations - they are taking advantage of your desire to have "local service". Be sure to ask: Do you recover all hard drives at this location?

Are you authorized by hard drive manufaturers to maintain my warranty?
Hard drive manufacturers refurbish failed hard drives. Tolerances and contamination are big issues. If your hard drive is not handled by an authorized data recovery company, your warranty will be null and void. If a data recovery company tells you yes, then you need to ask for a letter of authoriztion from the manufacturer stating that XYZ data recovery company is authorized to open their hard drives without voiding the warranty. Be cautious of internet claims that a company is authorized by ALL hard drive mnufacturers. You should get verifiable proof to protect yourself.

Will you give me the names and telephone numbers for 3 references I can call?
Nearly all data recovery companies list well-known companies they have recovered data for like Ebay, Amazon, US Military, Boeing, AT&T and tons more. Ask if they recover data for these companies on a regular basis. Are these companies referral partners. If they are referral partners or send jobs regularly, ask for 3 to 5 references, including title, position and telephone numbers that you can call. Then call them! You will discover that the majority are either one-time jobs or for someone that works fo the company and not really a decision maker.

Every company says they are the leader - What makes you the leader?
Since almost every data recovery company says they are the industry leader, wouldn't it be prudent to find out what makes them the leader - come on, every company can not be the industry leader. What makes them the leader? What do they do different? How can they make this claim? Take this into serious consideration when you come across these claims. Ask: What makes you better than XZY?

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