Lesson 1Pricing software work6 min
Price three tiers: diagnostic, standard repair (flash/reset), and complex recovery (EDL, test point, data attempts).
Charge the diagnostic even when it results in a referral. It is real work.
Module 11ProfessionalWeek 11 · 16 min read
Turning skill into a repeatable, profitable service
Welcome to Module 11. Technical skill alone does not make a business. This module covers pricing, queue management, warranties and the customer conversation.
If any of these are unfamiliar, review the Foundation level first.
Unpriced diagnostics and vague warranties are how skilled technicians end up working for free.
Price three tiers: diagnostic, standard repair (flash/reset), and complex recovery (EDL, test point, data attempts).
Charge the diagnostic even when it results in a referral. It is real work.
Use five statuses: Intake, Diagnosed, Awaiting approval, In repair, Ready. Customers who can hear a status do not call twice a day.
Warrant the specific fault repaired, for a defined period, excluding new liquid damage and customer-installed software. Put it in writing.
Intake ─► Diagnose ─► Quote ─► Approve
│ decline
▼
Return + diag fee
Approve ─► Repair ─► Verify ─► Handover ─► Follow-upA customer says: “It broke again a week later, and I'm not paying twice.”
What decides this conversation?
Your written warranty scope and the repair notes proving what was done.
Possible causes
Technician Tip
Track recurrence per fault type; it tells you which jobs to stop accepting.
Technician Tip
Quote turnaround in ranges, never single numbers.
Did You Know?
Shops that charge for diagnostics typically report higher customer trust, not lower — priced work reads as real work.
Common Mistakes
Safety Notice
Exercise 11 — Price your services
Question 1 of 2
Diagnostics should be:
Today you learned:
Produce a complete one-page customer service policy for your bench.
Complete the 2-question knowledge check above plus the assignment. Passing score: 80%.