Encountering file recovery services is mind-boggling for most people, because who plans to lose data, and then ask for it to return.

To help you better understand what’s ahead, let me answer the three most common questions asked about file recovery services:

1. “What time-frame are we looking at to recover my data?”, because I need my files now.

File recovery services requires diagnosing the drive for physical damage or logical problems. Afterwards, a file recovery expert uses various drive cloning methods to copy raw data from your media to a new hard drive or network to ensure there is a backup. In the case where your media is mechanically functioning correctly, this process is completed quickly, and then the file system can be reconstructed to recover your data.

If your media’s data cannot be accessed or is making odd sounds, parts are exchanged in the clean-room; and if needed, more advanced techniques to gather the raw data are taken. Then, the files are rebuilt and then recovered. Because this stage of file recovery services has several variables, the exact time period cannot be predetermined. I can say however, that it usually requires about forty-eight hours to complete, but the time period can be shorter or longer depending on the severity of the problem.

After the file recovery diagnostics are complete, a file of all recoverable data is sent to you, along with a guarantee or non-guarantee letter of confidence. We do this to make sure you understand exactly what are getting before approving the recovery. In other words, you get our word in a contractual agreement before you pay for file recovery services.

Once your approval is received, the final process of rebuilding your files to their original state is completed. Then, then they are transferred to a storage device of your convenience. Files can even be uploaded to a secure server, so that you can download them quickly when needed.

Emergency file recovery services are available, and the turn-around can be very quick – again, depending on the media’s condition. Emergency means we skip all the fundamental ways to recover data, and go directly to the highest level of service. The reason this route is not taken in every situation is because the internal cost structure increases substantially, which means file recovery services would be unaffordable for many organizations and individuals. So, file recovery services is divided into different levels to meet the needs of several kinds of people.

2. “How much are your file recovery services?”, because I need to get the OK, or evaluate the cost.

Determining the file recovery price requires that you provide this data:
a. Media Information: Is it a USB device, digital camera, disk drive, etc.?
b. The OS: What OS did you format the drive with?
c. Size: How much data can be stored on the media – not how much is saved on it right now?
d. Is this inquire for File Recovery Services or for Data Forensics?

With this information, you can receive a contract with up-front guaranteed pricing for file recovery services and data forensics. Note: The best advice I can give you for pricing is: before you send your media to any company, make sure it cannot be changed under any circumstances, because back-ending – raising prices during the process, or even at the last minute – has been a popular and deceiving tactic over the years.

3. “Where are you located?”, because I need someone in town to get started right away.

Understood. Please listen carefully: Experience trumps location, although everybody’s first instinct is to want someone next door to do the file recovery services. The search engines would have you believe that file recovery services are available in every city and state in every country, but in reality, less than ten full-scale labs exist – and this number is pushing it. Let me explain why this is true, and then I will teach you how to work locally.

File recovery services is a business that is self-taught; there are no textbooks, no reference manuals, and very few people willing to share information. There are even security procedures taken within these companies to safe-guard tools and techniques, so that employees cannot learn enough to duplicate the operation. And while the need for file recovery services has grown tremendously over the past fifteen years, the data recovery industry has barely budged in size. All this means is that the technician next door is probably not a data recovery expert, and there is a good chance that one does not exist in your city or state. However, there are ways you can work locally…

Most file recovery services you find on the Internet are usually very small companies that offer multiple services to stay alive. If you find one locally, you can have them create a bit-by-bit back-up of your media, and then have them run filerecovery software on it to see if they can recover your files. You could even have them use one of the free file recovery software out there. Just remember, whatever is done locally, make sure before any recovery utility is used on the hard disk, clone it at the sector level. If all of this sounds confusing, I recommend you skip this stage and send your media to professional file recovery services.