Repair Pricing 101: How to Price Screens, Batteries, and Labor Without Losing Money
Most wireless dealers don’t lose money because they’re “too busy.” They lose money because their pricing doesn’t cover the real costs: parts defects, redo labor, warranty exposure, and the time spent diagnosing edge cases.
This guide gives you a simple repair pricing framework for screens, batteries, and labor that protects margin and reduces haggling—without turning your shop into the most expensive option in town.
Why “Parts + a Little Labor” Pricing Fails
Here’s what that pricing model ignores:
Parts defect rate: even good suppliers have failures
Redo labor: warranty replacements cost you time twice
Risk: bent frames, prior repairs, liquid exposure
Bench time: time spent testing, documenting, and QC
Disputes: time spent arguing is still labor
Dealer rule: if one redo wipes out profit, your pricing is too low.
The Core Framework: Parts + Labor + Risk
Use a consistent structure for every repair:
Retail Price = (Landed Parts Cost × Risk Multiplier) + Labor + Overhead Buffer
Landed parts cost: part + shipping + tax + wastage
Risk multiplier: covers defect probability + redo time (often 1.2–1.6)
Labor: your flat-rate labor for that repair type
Overhead buffer: adhesives, tools wear, admin, payment fees
Example (screen repair)
Screen cost (landed): $60
Risk multiplier: 1.4
Labor: $70
Overhead buffer: $10
Retail price: ($60 × 1.4) + $70 + $10 = $164
Dealer note: you can adjust the multiplier by model and supplier quality. High-return models get a higher multiplier.
How to Price Screens (Without Getting Crushed by Warranty Redos)
Screens are high volume and high comeback risk. Price screens based on:
Model complexity (time + risk)
Frame condition (bent frames = repeat failures)
Quality tier (cheap screens create expensive comebacks)
Post-repair QC time (touch edges, brightness, cameras, Face ID/True Tone expectations)
Screen pricing best practice: build in a “redo reserve”
If your screen supplier has a 5–10% defect rate, your pricing must cover the reality that 1 out of 10 jobs may require extra time or a part swap.
Frame bend surcharge (or limited warranty)
If the frame is bent, don’t price it like a clean device. Offer:
A frame-risk surcharge, or
A best-effort repair with limited warranty due to fitment risk
How to Price Batteries (Predictable Profit When Done Right)
Batteries can be clean profit—if you don’t race to the bottom.
Battery pricing should include:
Battery quality tier (cheap batteries = swelling/returns)
Adhesive/seal materials
Extra time for difficult models
Safety handling (especially swelling cases)
Battery swelling = premium pricing (risk + time)
If the battery is swollen and the screen is lifting, price for careful disassembly and document the risk of screen damage during removal.
How to Price Labor (Stop Undercharging for Skill)
Labor is not “whatever is left after parts.” Labor should reflect:
Technician skill and speed
Tooling and training investment
QC and documentation time
Opportunity cost (what else the bench could be doing)
Simple labor model (menu-based)
Standard labor: common repairs (screens, batteries)
Complex labor: ports, back glass, multi-part repairs
Diagnostic labor: no power, boot loops, liquid damage
Dealer tip: charge diagnostics as a real service. It prevents free bench time and reduces misquotes.
The Simple Menu Strategy (Reduces Haggling)
Customers haggle when they think pricing is arbitrary. A menu makes it feel standardized and fair.
Use a 3-option menu for screens (Good / Better / Best)
Value: budget aftermarket (older phones, lowest cost)
Premium: best balance of quality + price (most customers)
OEM/Refurb: highest quality option (when available)
How to present it (script)
“We have three screen options. The difference is quality and long-term reliability. Most customers choose Premium because it balances price and performance.”
Use a simple menu for batteries too
Standard battery replacement
Battery replacement + charging port cleaning (bundle)
Swollen battery priority service (safety handling + documentation)
Warranty Rules That Protect Margin (Without Killing Conversion)
Warranty is part of pricing. If your warranty is too generous or unclear, you’ll pay for it later.
Cover:
Part defects
Installation issues
Exclude:
New cracks/impact damage after pickup
Liquid exposure after repair
Pre-existing frame bend or prior repair issues
Unrelated failures (board-level issues that appear later)
Pickup verification reduces warranty disputes
Have customers confirm basic function at pickup and document it. This reduces “it didn’t work when I left” claims.
Customer Scripts (Stops “Can You Do It Cheaper?”)
Script 1: quality + warranty framing
“We price repairs to use consistent parts and stand behind the work. Cheaper repairs usually cut corners on part quality or warranty coverage.”
Script 2: menu-based close
“If budget is the priority, the Value option is the lowest price. If you want the best balance, Premium is what most customers choose. If you want the highest quality, OEM/Refurb is the top option.”
Script 3: when the device is high risk
“Because the frame is bent / there’s prior repair history / there was liquid exposure, this is a higher-risk repair. We can attempt it, but pricing and warranty coverage are different due to the risk.”
Final Thoughts
Profitable repair pricing is simple when you standardize it: parts + labor + risk, priced so one redo doesn’t wipe out profit. Add a menu so customers choose between options instead of negotiating, and align warranty rules with the real risk of the job.
Dealers who price this way don’t just make more per repair—they also reduce stress, reduce disputes, and build a reputation for consistent, professional service.
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