Is your phone damaged? The first thing to do is to contact the manufacturer to check if your device and the problem it presents - a battery that does not hold its charge, for example - are still covered by the warranty (which is usually one year) . If so, take the repair to a service center authorized by the manufacturer of your phone. Otherwise, do business with an independent repairer, who will charge lower prices.

Precisely: how much will it cost you to change the screen or the battery of your device, or to have the damage caused by a liquid substance (such as water) repaired? The prices shown below, collected from independent repairers, may vary depending on the device. The older your phone, the less it should cost you to repair.

>> Read also: our test of more than 60 smartphones

Screen

Price: from $60 to $260 (Apple products) and from $140 to $500 (other brands)

Is your iPhone glass cracked? If it still works, the liquid crystal display (LCD) is not damaged. In this case, only change the glass: you will save on the repair. Beware of an independent merchant who assures you that you can change the components of your iPhone with original parts. " Only Apple-approved service providers can sell them to you ", says Jérémy Caudron, owner of the Micro-Techno store in Montreal.

If your phone is from a brand other than Apple (Samsung, for example), an independent dealer can repair it with compatible parts.

More fragile than a flat screen, a curved screen will also lead to greater expenses if you have to change it. For example, the curved screen of a Galaxy S8 costs $294, while the regular screen of a Galaxy S7 sells for $212, illustrates Taoufiq Talea, owner of the Eureka Mobile store in Quebec.

Battery

Price: from $30 to $90

Is your phone's battery quickly losing its autonomy? A repairman will first do an electrical intensity test, which will allow him to determine if a component of your device consumes too much energy, explains Taoufiq Talea. In such a case, the professional may offer to repair the defective component rather than changing the battery unnecessarily. On the other hand, if it needs to be changed, expect to pay between $30 and $90 with an independent repairer.

Damage caused by liquids

Price: from $40 to $100

Did you spill your coffee on your phone or drop it in a puddle? Turn it off immediately, even if it's still running. If it was already off, do not attempt to turn it on. If its battery is removable, remove it: this will reduce the risk of short circuits. But do not immerse it in a bowl of rice to dry it, since this technique – the effectiveness of which has never been proven – involves risks, such as possible infiltration of dust into the device. Instead, go to a repairer who knows about micro-welding, which will allow him to repair any broken electrical circuits.

>> Read also: our survey on the best prices (telecom services)

Good to know

According to the Consumer Protection Act, all repairs must be guaranteed for three months. Note that some repairers offer one that is valid for six months to a year.

UPDATE 12/10/2017: At his request, we have removed a quote from a commenter that appeared in an earlier version of this article.