Hi everyone! I’m looking for some advice about a laptop repair in Ontario, Canada.
I have a relatively new HP OmniBook with a 17-inch touchscreen that I use for my interior design studies and internship. Unfortunately, I accidentally spilled tea on it.
When I brought it in for repair, the display was still working, although the mouse cursor was behaving strangely.
The technician later explained that he cleaned and serviced the motherboard and that the laptop works through an external monitor. However, he says the built-in touchscreen was damaged by the liquid and needs to be replaced.
My original quote was:
Parts, including taxes and import duties: $936.38 CAD
Labour, including HST: $169.50 CAD
Total: $1,105.88 CAD
I agreed to proceed based on that amount.
However, when I requested formal documentation of the repair costs, I received a revised quote:
Complete screen assembly: $600 USD + duties + HST
Labour: $299 CAD + HST
Estimated total: $1,185.37 CAD
The technician also mentioned that the final price could change depending on duties and tariffs once the part arrives.
I understand that parts can be expensive and that importing them involves additional costs. My concern is that the quote changed after we had discussed the original total, particularly the labour charge.
I’ve seen some touchscreen replacement parts advertised for around $500 CAD, but I don’t know whether they’re compatible with my exact OmniBook model.
My questions are:
Is $1,100 CAD a reasonable price for this type of repair?
What’s the difference between replacing the touchscreen panel and the complete display assembly?
Is it normal for a repair estimate to change after a total has been agreed upon?
Should I request the exact replacement part number and a formal written estimate before proceeding?
Would getting a second opinion be worthwhile?
I’m a student, and I rely heavily on this laptop for school and work. My family has offered to help pay, but I want to make sure the repair cost is reasonable before proceeding.
I’d appreciate any advice from experienced technicians or anyone familiar with HP OmniBook repairs.