Diagnosis, Pickup & Return
Each of these is a separate flat fee, charged only when it's used. Diagnosis is $75 for home machines and $125 for commercial equipment — credited toward your final invoice if you approve the repair. Pickup and return are independent flat fees — use one, both, or neither.
Super-automatic machines — bean-to-cup units with a built-in grinder, like Jura, Miele, or Saeco — are diagnosed at the $125 commercial rate even at home. They pack a grinder, brew unit, and control electronics into one sealed machine, and take a lot more time to properly diagnose than a manual or semi-automatic machine.
A pickup or return fee is earned once I depart for your location, and isn't refundable once travel has started.
Quoted Flat, Before Work Begins
Repair labor is billed at a $100/hr bench rate, calculated after diagnosis. You'll usually be given a flat, not-to-exceed price instead of a straight hourly bill — agreed to before any repair work starts. Rush turnarounds or work scheduled outside normal availability carry an expedited fee, also agreed to in advance.
Nothing is charged without your approval of the quoted amount first.
Paying for an Approved Repair
When you approve a repair quoted at a flat not-to-exceed price, the full NTE amount is charged to your card on file as soon as you authorize the work — before parts are ordered or work begins. Any remaining balance, such as additional approved parts or add-on work found once the job is underway, is charged when the repair is complete.
Quoted and Approved Before Ordering
Any part over $100, and all special-order or non-returnable parts, require payment in full before they're ordered, and are non-refundable once ordered. Where original parts aren't available, a substitute or fabricated part may be proposed for your approval. A sourcing charge of up to 15% may apply to ordered or contracted-for parts to cover procurement costs.
Card on File & Balance Due
I keep a valid payment card on file through a secure processor (Stripe) and charge it for diagnostic, pickup/return fees, the approved NTE amount, approved labor and parts, loaner equipment, and any balance due — plus applicable card fees. No card number is ever written on paper.
The final balance is charged once the repair is complete and you've been sent a video of the equipment working, and is due before the equipment is released. Cash, check, or card are all accepted — card payments add 3%. Returned checks incur a $30 fee, and balances unpaid after 15 days accrue interest at 1.5% per month (or the maximum Minnesota law allows, whichever is less).
One Point of Approval
Each job has a single named Authorized Representative whose approvals are binding — I won't act on conflicting instructions from anyone else. Any work beyond the approved scope needs a new written approval and may cost more. If the customer is a business, the person signing confirms they're authorized to bind it, and personally guarantees payment if the business doesn't pay.
30-Day Workmanship Warranty
The specific repair performed and parts installed are warrantied for 30 days against defects in that workmanship. This excludes unrelated or new failures, other components, misuse, neglect (including failing to descale or use filtered/softened water), accidents, electrical or water-supply faults, and service performed by anyone else. This is your sole and exclusive remedy under the agreement.
Vintage & As-Is Restoration
Vintage and obsolete machines carry inherent risk. Original parts may be unavailable or need fabrication, and aged, corroded, or brittle components can fail during normal, careful disassembly — that's inherent to the equipment, not something I'm responsible for. Restoration is done with reasonable skill and care, but isn't guaranteed to return a machine to factory-new condition.
Care, Risk & Limitation of Liability
I exercise reasonable care while your equipment is in my possession. Otherwise it's at your risk, and you're encouraged to maintain your own insurance. I'm not liable for loss or damage beyond my reasonable control (fire, theft, water, power events, acts of God). To the fullest extent Minnesota law allows, total liability is limited to the amount you paid for the service — no liability for indirect, incidental, or consequential damages, including lost business or revenue.
Loaner Equipment
A loaner espresso machine may be available on request while your equipment is being serviced, billed per day and invoiced with the job — ask for current rates. The loaner stays my property and must come back clean, drained, and in the condition it was loaned in. You're responsible for reasonable care while it's in your possession, and are liable for loss, theft, or damage beyond normal wear. Unreturned loaners keep accruing the daily rate.
Right to Retain Equipment, Lien & Storage
I may keep possession of equipment until all charges are paid in full — a service/possessory lien under Minnesota law (Minn. Stat. ch. 514). Completed equipment not paid for and picked up within 30 days may incur storage of $5/day, and after written notice and the required waiting period, may be sold to recover charges. Equipment left 90+ days after notice may be treated as abandoned.
Electronic Signature & Governing Law
The agreement you sign electronically is valid and legally binding, with the same effect as a handwritten signature, under the Minnesota Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (Minn. Stat. ch. 325L) and the federal E-SIGN Act. It's governed by Minnesota law, with venue in Hennepin County. It's the entire agreement between us; any change must be in writing; and if any part of it is found unenforceable, the rest stays in effect.