Policies

Service policies

These policies describe how Bench & Order usually handles technology service work for Frederick-area small businesses and residential Windows PC appointments. Specific jobs may include written notes that refine these terms for that engagement. Published starting prices live on the pricing and service menu.

Diagnostics and estimates

Work usually starts with diagnosis. I explain what I found, what I recommend, what it likely costs, and what may not be worth fixing. Estimates are good-faith assessments based on what is known at the time. Hidden faults can change the picture after deeper inspection.

Authorization

Major repair steps, part purchases, data recovery attempts, and scope changes need your approval before they proceed. If you want a hard spending cap, say so up front.

Backups and data-loss risk

Computer work can involve risk to data, settings, and installed software. A current backup is strongly recommended before significant work. If no usable backup exists, we should talk about that risk before proceeding. A practical starting point is a simple backup habit that works.

Data recovery

Recovery assessment and recovery attempts are best-effort. Success is not guaranteed. Bench & Order is not a clean-room recovery lab. Some drives and storage failures need a specialized facility or may not be recoverable at all. For plain-language expectations, see data recovery: what to expect.

Customer-supplied parts

When hardware is needed, you generally buy the parts. Parts remain yours. I can help sanity-check a parts list, but manufacturer warranties and return policies stay between you and the seller. See before you buy PC parts for an upgrade.

Warranties on labor

Labor warranty details should be confirmed for each job in writing or in the service summary. Hardware warranties belong to the part maker or seller unless otherwise stated. Software and operating system updates outside Bench & Order control can change a machine after handoff.

Abandoned equipment

If equipment is left for bench work and remains unclaimed after repeated contact attempts, Bench & Order may treat it as abandoned after a clearly communicated waiting period. Exact timing and notice method should be confirmed in the service notes for that job.

Payment timing

Payment timing is confirmed before or during the job. Diagnostic time, labor, travel or pickup arrangements if any, and other agreed charges are due according to that arrangement. Work may pause if payment terms are not met.

Remote access consent

Remote sessions happen only with your consent for that session. End the session when the work is done. Do not share passwords through the public website form.

How inquiry and service details are handled

Service access should stay limited to what the job needs. Website inquiry details are used only to respond to the request. Absolute security is not promised. There is no standalone public privacy notice on this site yet; operational limits for service work are described here.

This website uses Google Analytics 4 (measurement ID G-PWLYRTVY11) for basic traffic measurement. Contact form messages are delivered separately through FormSubmit and are not the same as analytics data. No absolute privacy guarantee is made for website use or service work.

Scope of devices

Bench & Order focuses on Windows PC support, with Linux workstation and local-AI support available for defined projects, plus related practical technology work. Routine consumer Linux support is not a standard residential offering. Phones, tablets, and consoles are outside the normal scope.