Quick answer: It depends on how far the liquid got. A clean and corrosion removal is from $120. If the keyboard is ruined, a keyboard replacement is $90–$120 on most Windows laptops (MacBook from $150). If the board is damaged, chip-level board repair is usually $150–$250 ($200–$350 for a MacBook). Brand service centres usually quote a whole new board instead, often $400–$800+. The faster it’s cleaned, the lower the bill. Updated November 2026.
“How much will this cost?” is the first thing most people ask after a spill. The honest answer is that it depends on how much liquid got in, what it was, and how long the laptop stayed powered on. Here’s how the price breaks down, so you know what to expect before you walk in.
Price by Level of Damage
| What’s damaged | Typical work | BreakFixNow price |
|---|---|---|
| Liquid inside, laptop still works or turned off quickly | Open, ultrasonic clean, corrosion removal, test | From $120 |
| Keyboard sticky or keys dead | Clean plus keyboard replacement | Keyboard $90–$120 (MacBook from $150) |
| Won’t turn on or shuts down | Clean plus chip-level board repair | $150–$250 (MacBook $200–$350) |
| Screen lines or no picture | Clean, test display cable, screen repair if needed | Quoted after diagnosis |
| Board beyond repair | Data recovery from the drive | Quoted after diagnosis |
Diagnosis is free and we confirm the price before any work starts.
What Pushes the Price Up
- Leaving it on or turning it on to check. Power through wet circuits burns chips. A laptop switched off straight away is often just a clean.
- Waiting. Residue keeps corroding the board for days, so a clean today can become a board repair next week.
- Sugary, milky or salty liquids. Coffee, soft drinks and soup corrode faster than plain water.
- Thin laptops and MacBooks. Liquid reaches the board faster and parts like keyboards are often built into the top case.
- Several damaged parts. Keyboard plus board plus screen adds up.
Brand Service Centre vs Independent Repair
| Brand service centre | BreakFixNow | |
|---|---|---|
| Warranty cover | Liquid damage excluded unless you have accidental damage cover | Not applicable |
| Typical approach | Replace the whole board or top case | Clean first, then repair the failed parts on the board |
| Typical cost | Often $400–$800+ | From $120 for a clean; $150–$250 for most board repairs |
| Your data | A new board can mean losing data, especially on MacBooks | Board repair usually keeps your files |
| Turnaround | Often 1–2 weeks | Cleans often same or next day; board repairs a few days |
Have accidental damage cover? AppleCare+ and some brands’ accidental damage plans cover spills for a fixed fee. Check that first — it may be the cheapest option.
Is It Worth Repairing?
- Usually yes if the laptop is under about 5 years old and the repair is a clean, a keyboard or a board repair.
- Think twice if the repair costs more than about half the price of a comparable new laptop, or several parts are damaged on an old machine.
- Your files matter more? Even if the laptop isn’t worth fixing, the data usually is. See beyond economical repair.
We’ll tell you honestly if a repair isn’t worth it for your laptop.
How to Keep the Bill Down
- Switch it off and unplug it immediately — see what to do in the first hour.
- Don’t turn it on to check, and don’t charge it.
- Skip the rice and hairdryer.
- Get it opened and cleaned within 24 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to fix a water-damaged laptop in Singapore?
At BreakFixNow, cleaning and corrosion removal is from $120. Keyboard replacement is $90–$120 on most Windows laptops (MacBook from $150), and chip-level board repair is usually $150–$250 ($200–$350 for MacBook).
Is water damage covered by laptop warranty?
No. Standard warranties exclude liquid damage. Accidental damage plans such as AppleCare+ may cover it for a fixed fee.
Why is the service centre quote so much higher?
Service centres usually replace the whole board or top case. We clean the board and repair the specific failed parts, which costs much less and usually keeps your data.
Do you charge if you can’t fix it?
No. Diagnosis is free and our repairs are No Fix No Pay.
Want an exact price? WhatsApp us your laptop model and what was spilled. Free diagnosis and a firm quote before any work — No Fix No Pay.
Related: Spilled on your laptop? First hour · MacBook water damage repair · Motherboard replacement vs repair
Typical Prices
Data kept where possible
No Fix No PayFrom $120