Got it.
You'll hear from Josh within 24 hours (usually same day) with a preliminary assessment, a quote, and next steps including a packaging guide if you're shipping.
In the meantime: if you have a failing drive, keep it powered off. If you have tapes, store them somewhere cool and dry.
Back to homeBloomfield · Pittsburgh, PA
Local data recovery
and VHS digitization.
I'm Josh. I do data recovery and tape digitization out of Bloomfield, right in Pittsburgh. Drop off in person or ship it. Free evaluation, firm quote before any work begins, and you pay nothing if I can't recover your data.
Serving Squirrel Hill, Shadyside, Oakland, Lawrenceville, the South Hills, Mt. Lebanon, Monroeville, Cranberry, and the greater Pittsburgh area. Not nearby? Shipping works too.
What I handle
Data Recovery
Hard drives, SSDs, flash drives
- ✓ Accidentally deleted files or folders
- ✓ Formatted or wiped drive
- ✓ Drive not showing up or not detected
- ✓ Clicking, grinding, or unusual sounds
- ✓ Corrupted file system or partition
- ✓ External drive stopped working
- ✓ WD My Passport controller failure
- ✓ Laptop drive after drop or impact
- ✓ USB flash drives and SD cards
$150 to $500 depending on failure type
Exact quote after free evaluation. No charge if unsuccessful.
VHS & Tape Digitization
Convert tapes to digital files
- ✓ VHS cassettes ($25 to $40 per tape)
- ✓ VHS-C camcorder tapes ($25 to $40)
- ✓ Hi-8 and 8mm camcorder tapes ($30 to $45)
- ✓ Output as MP4 files that play on anything
- ✓ Delivered on USB drive or download link
- ✓ Original tapes returned with order
- ✓ Captured on maintained 4-head Hi-Fi decks
- ✓ Each tape inspected before capture
Bundle pricing for 5 or more tapes
Payment after delivery. You approve the files first.
How it works
- 1.
Fill out the form below
Tell me what you have and what happened. I'll respond within 24 hours with a preliminary read on the situation.
- 2.
Drop off or ship
Pittsburgh locals can drop off in person. If you're shipping, you don't need to remove the drive — shipping the whole laptop is fine. See the shipping guide at theatticlab.net/shipping for how to package your device.
- 3.
Evaluation and firm quote
I evaluate the drive or tapes and give you a flat number. No hourly rates, no surprise charges. You approve it before any recovery work begins.
- 4.
Recovery, then payment
For data recovery: you pay when you confirm you have the data you needed. For tapes: you approve the files before paying. No recovery, no charge.
Get a free quote
Fill this out and I'll get back to you within 24 hours with a preliminary assessment and next steps. No commitment required.
Prefer to reach out directly? josh@theatticlab.net or (412) 228-0236 both work.
Quick answers
- What if you can't get my data back?
- You pay nothing. No diagnostic fees, no "we tried" charges. The only thing you're out is shipping if you mailed the drive. I only get paid when I deliver results.
- Can I drop it off in person?
- Yes. I'm based in Bloomfield. Contact me first so we can coordinate a time. Drop-off is free, and you don't have to deal with shipping.
- How long does it take?
- Logical data recovery (deleted files, formatted drives) typically takes 2 to 5 business days. Physical failures can take 1 to 2 weeks. VHS tape digitization runs real-time: a 2-hour tape takes 2 hours to capture. I'll give you a timeline with the quote.
- What if I'm not sure what's wrong?
- Fill out the form and describe what happened. That's what the evaluation is for. I'll figure out what's going on and explain it in plain terms before any work starts.
- How much does it cost?
- Data recovery runs $150 to $500 depending on the type of failure. VHS digitization is $25 to $45 per tape. Your exact quote depends on the specific case. I give you a firm, flat number before I start. No hourly rates.