On-site, drop-off or pickup: choosing how the repair happens

Repair businesses work in different ways. Some come to your home or workplace, some do the work in their own shop, and some collect the item and bring it back. Each listing shows which of these a business offers, and you can filter town and repair pages by them.

The options you can filter by

• Comes to you. The repair happens where the item is.
• Drop-off / in-shop. You take the item to the business.
• Pickup & delivery. The business collects the item and returns it when it is done.
• Same-day service. The business says it can offer same-day service. Ask what that covers for your repair.
• Homes and businesses. Whether it works for households, for businesses, or both.

When it makes sense for them to come to you

Anything installed or too big to move usually needs an on-site visit: furnaces and air conditioners, water heaters, garage doors, built-in appliances, roofs and windows. Categories such as Garage Door Repair and HVAC Repair usually involve on-site work. Ask whether there is a call-out fee and what window they will arrive in.

When drop-off makes sense

Smaller, portable items are often fixed in a shop, where the business has its tools and parts to hand: phones, laptops, watches, jewelry, shoes, cameras and bicycles. See Phone & Tablet Repair or Bicycle Repair.

Before you hand something over:

• Ask for a ticket or receipt that lists the item and its condition.
• Ask how long they expect to have it, and how they will let you know it is ready.
• For phones and computers, back up your data first, and ask what the business needs from you to test the device.
• Remove anything you don't want to leave behind, such as cases, memory cards or accessories.

When pickup and delivery helps

Pickup and delivery suits things that are movable but awkward: lawn mowers, small engines and some furniture. Look at Small Engine Repair or Lawn Equipment Repair, and ask whether pickup costs extra.

Distance and service areas

Each business sets the area it serves, so a business based a few towns away can still come to you if your town is inside that area. On the page, businesses without a paid plan are listed by distance from your town. See How listings are ordered.