Home-Based electronics repair bench

Households, students and small offices who would rather repair a device than replace it.

A fixed price or quote per repair, covering parts plus your labour. Some repairers add a diagnostic fee that is waived if the customer goes ahead.

• Careful, steady hands for small components
• Fault-finding and patience
• Clear communication with customers

• Check with your local council whether you need approval to run a business from home
• Public liability insurance, and cover for customers' devices while in your care
• Consumer guarantees under Australian Consumer Law apply to repairs, so check what you must offer
• Protect customer data: tell customers to back up devices and never copy or browse their files
• Lithium batteries can be a fire risk, so check safe storage and disposal in your state
• Warranty-voiding repairs and counterfeit parts can lead to disputes

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around $800 to $3,500, depending on the tools and parts stock you begin with. A home bench keeps costs lower than a shopfront because you avoid rent and fit-out.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $500 to $3,000, depending on how many hours you put in and how many repairs you take on. The estimates assume a minimum of about 8 hours a week.

Check whether your local council requires approval to run a business from home. Also check public liability insurance and cover for customers' devices, consumer guarantees under Australian Consumer Law, customer data protection, and safe storage and disposal of lithium batteries in your state.