Lost photos, work files or a whole drive? Most data can be recovered, as long as you stop using the device. This guide explains what to do first, what the symptoms mean, and exactly what recovery costs.
Lost data? Do this now
The first ten minutes decide most recoveries.
- Stop using the device. Every save, download or update can overwrite your files.
- Don’t run recovery apps on the affected drive, and don’t install them on it.
- Clicking or grinding? Switch it off now and don’t power it on again.
- Get advice. Call 07927 915560 for free advice over the phone.
What’s wrong with your drive?
The symptom tells you whether it can be fixed locally or needs a cleanroom lab.
Deleted files or emptied recycle bin
The data is usually still on the drive.
LocalDrive blank, RAW or “needs formatting”
A corrupted file system, not a dead drive.
LocalLaptop won’t start
Often a fault elsewhere; the drive itself may be fine.
LocalFiles encrypted by ransomware
Assessed case by case; some files can be restored.
Local assessmentClicking, grinding or beeping
Failed heads or motor. Switch it off now.
LabNot detected or won’t spin up
Electronics, firmware or mechanical failure.
Usually labDropped, water or fire damage
Physical damage needs cleanroom conditions.
LabHow it works
Call or WhatsApp
Describe what happened. You get free advice on the safest next step.
Diagnose
Drop off at North Cave or book a home visit. You get the diagnosis and a price first.
Recover
Logical jobs are done locally. Mechanical cases go to Lazarus; you approve any higher tier first.
Get your files back
Copied to your own drive, or a new encrypted USB or external drive.
Prices
Every price is published upfront. You only agree to the Standard lab charge at the start.
plus any parts
Deleted files, formatted or corrupted drives, laptops that won’t boot, memory cards and USB sticks with no physical damage.
Rig-based recovery, any capacity
Microsoldering, firmware, board changes, head work without donor
Head work with donor parts, chip-level, up to 3TB
As Advanced Plus, over 3TB
RAID, CCTV and forensic work is quoted per job. Carriage: free if dropped at Lazarus or sent with your own courier; DPD drop-off £10 in, £10 out; DPD collection £19 in, £10 out. Opened or tampered drives £60, non-refundable. Encrypted USB sticks and drives for your recovered files from £19 (64GB) to £150 (4TB).
Typical examples
Common cases and the price band they usually fall into. Your price is confirmed after diagnosis, before any work starts.
SD card from a holiday camera
Photos deleted by mistake, card not damaged.
Laptop won’t boot, files needed
Windows fails to start but the drive still reads.
External drive started clicking
Mechanical fault. Switched off straight away.
Dropped drive, not detected
Physical damage, may need donor parts.
What can be recovered
- Laptop and desktop hard drives
- SSDs
- External drives (Seagate, WD, Toshiba)
- USB sticks
- SD and micro SD cards
- Camera, phone and dashcam cards
- MacBook drives
- RAID and CCTV (quoted)
What customers say
★★★★★ “Daniel has been absolutely amazing! After my MacBook took a spill (literally), he managed to save the data from it and saved my life!”
Popping The Bubble · Google review
★★★★★ “I’m very grateful to Daniel for all of his help and support in recovering all of my data which is essentially my entire livelihood as a designer, and the total cost turned out to be very reasonable too.”
Tim W. · Google review
Stop it happening again
- Keep three copies of anything important: the original, a backup on an external drive, and one off-site or in the cloud.
- Unplug the backup drive when it isn’t backing up, so ransomware can’t reach it.
- Replace drives that are getting old or noisy before they fail. An SSD upgrade also makes an older laptop faster.
- Check your backup actually works by restoring one file now and then.
Questions
Can deleted files really be recovered?
Often, yes. Deleting a file usually only marks the space as free, so the data stays until something new overwrites it. That is why you should stop using the device straight away.
How much does data recovery cost?
Logical recovery (deleted files, corrupted drives, no physical damage) is done locally for £80–£140 plus parts. Mechanical cases go to Lazarus Data Recovery at fixed prices: £140, £270, £370 or £470 including VAT, depending on the work needed.
What if nothing can be recovered?
Data recovery is no fix, no fee: if your data can’t be recovered, you don’t pay for the attempt. For cases sent to the lab, only return carriage may apply.
My drive is clicking. Should I try recovery software?
No. Clicking, grinding or a drive that won’t spin up points to mechanical failure. Running software can scratch the platters and make recovery impossible. Switch it off and call.
Is my data kept private?
Yes. Your files are only accessed as far as the recovery needs, and if a lab recovery is unsuccessful, the drive can be securely destroyed with a certificate, free of charge.
How long does it take?
Simple logical recoveries are often done in 24–48 hours. Mechanical lab cases usually take 3–7 days. You get a realistic timeframe before work starts.
Talk to Daniel before you do anything else
Free advice over the phone. Mon–Fri 10–6, Sat 10–2, evenings by arrangement.
Local pages: Data recovery Hull · Beverley · Market Weighton · External hard drives