When it comes time to find a reputable and trustworthy computer technician, we have a few pointers for consumers. These tips are intended for people looking to find a computer tech that they can trust their data (and honestly, their money) with.

A good computer tech should be able to reasonably diagnose your computer’s issues in 30 minutes or less. Any more than that, you should be able to negotiate a lower rate — or have them walk away from the whole thing with no obligation.

A good computer tech should be able to provide a fairly sound estimate on the Level of Effort (LOE) involved and stick to it. Any time a tech anticipates further time is needed on a system, they should contact the owner and let them know ahead of time, before accruing more time on it.

A good computer tech will not just reinstall, but rather, know when a computer problem is worth fixing manually and when it isn’t. Further, an experienced technician should be able to fly on his own, not requiring your drivers and discs. (However, requiring your computer’s serial number is understandable.)

A good computer tech will always consult you on backing up and restoring most data, including favorites, saved e-mails, documents, music, videos, and most software that you have on your computer. On that note, a good computer tech will not hold your data “hostage” by charging an exorbitant amount for this service. (This should be no more than an additional $20 at most).

A good computer tech will be able to confidently inform you of their labor rates. Depending on your area of the country, it will range between $40 and $120 per hour. Places like Geek Squad operate on “Flat Rate” (like an Automotive shop), and you are paying a lot more money in the end when the bill is calculated. Most things Geek Squad does only take minutes to complete.

Finally, ask a technician what experience they have — such as asking for certifications like A+ or other similar industry certifications. It’s generally OK if a technician isn’t certified, considering that the material that A+ tests against are from baseline computer standards from over four years ago. Anyhow, feel welcome to ask a technician if they’ve ever resolved issues like yours before. If it’s the first time, you may want to consider another technician.

As I’ve said earlier, these are a handful of tips for folks who are looking for a decent computer tech to hire. Go with your instincts with the information you have — never feel forced to pay a technician if you don’t feel right about it.

Oh, it’s also a good idea and good karma to provide the same technician with repeat business; as they will often provide you discounts and save you a good amount on diagnostics since they are familiar with your computer.