6 vital points to consider before using a data recovery company

Sudden hard drive failure or data loss is undoubtedly a distressing situation. If you require the data urgently the rush to send your drive off to a data recovery specialist can mean that you forget to action some important stages prior to doing so.

We’ve created a checklist to ensure you do everything possible before sending away your equipment as well as how to correspond with the data recovery company.

Backup your data

Firstly, and most importantly, take a complete backup of your data. Obviously if the drive is completely dead then this step won’t be possible.

Compare recovery quotes & check reviews online

You should never just go for the first place you call. There’s no harm shopping around to gather price estimates. Some companies may charge you for the initial diagnosis whereas others may not, therefore it’s worthwhile doing your research beforehand as it may save you some money!

Read customer reviews online, for example by Googling the company. Seeing honest reviews will help you decide which data recovery company to use. It’s good to read the experiences others have had.

Detail exactly what data you need recovered

Be clear and specific from the start. If there are particular documents or images that are important for you to have retrieved then specify this to your chosen company. (Better still, put this in writing – by email).

Ask for a recoverable file list

Before parting with funds ask to be sent a file list. You can also request to see evidence of the recovered files so that you have reassurance that you’re getting exactly what you’re paying for. You wouldn’t want to realise afterwards that they haven’t recovered the files you needed and paid for!

Log all correspondence in writing

Ensure you record all correspondence in writing. Evidence the entire process from start to finish. By all means you can discuss and liaise with the data recovery specialists over the phone, however after each phone call take a few minutes to summarise the discussion and put everything you’ve spoken about in an email. This keeps a clear log of communication and what has been said/agreed throughout the process.

Pay via PayPal or credit card

Give yourself peace of mind when paying, especially when it’s a large sum of money. Do not pay by cash or bank transfer. PayPal is a good, trustworthy way to pay online as it means in the event of a dispute you can retract your funds. Additionally, using a credit card to pay (e.g. MasterCard) gives you added protection and security in circumstances where you need to make a claim.

Take your time to read each of the above points carefully and we hope this helps you on your data recovery journey.