Mobile fibreglass repairer
Fix cracked boats, baths and panels at the customer's home, marina or yard from a ute or van.
- A$3k-12k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Estimates for a small start in Australia, not guarantees.
What it is
A mobile repair service that travels to customers to fix cracks, chips, holes and gelcoat damage on fibreglass items such as small boats, jet skis, baths, showers and vehicle panels.
Your first three steps
- Learn the basics through a short course, a TAFE or boat repair class, or by working for an experienced repairer
- Set up a ute or van with sanding tools, resins, gelcoat and a safe mixing area, then practise on scrap pieces
- Introduce yourself to marinas, boat dealers, plumbers and caravan repairers and offer a trial job
Who pays
Boat and jet ski owners, homeowners with damaged baths or showers, caravan owners, and small businesses like marinas, plumbers and panel shops.
How it makes money
Quote per job or charge an hourly rate plus materials. Boat and caravan repairs usually pay more than bath chips, and repeat work from trade referrers can fill quiet weeks.
Skills that help
- Hands-on repair work
- Patience and attention to finish and colour matching
- Quoting jobs and dealing with customers
Watch out for
- Public liability insurance, and check whether you need cover for work on customers' boats
- Resins, solvents and dust need proper ventilation, masks and safe storage and disposal; check your state's workplace safety rules
- An ABN is needed, and check whether your state requires any licence for the work you do on bathrooms or vehicles
- Bad weather and poor colour matching can delay jobs and lead to rework
Deep research report · Australia
Everything you need to start: mobile fibreglass repairer
Researched with live web search for Australia: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a mobile fibreglass repair business?
Startup costs are typically around $3,000 to $12,000, depending on your vehicle, tools, materials and insurance. Treat this as an estimate and price your own setup before committing.
How much can a mobile fibreglass repairer earn?
Estimates suggest monthly revenue of typically around $1,500 to $7,000, depending on the types of jobs you take, how many you complete each week and how much time you spend travelling. This is only an estimate.
What rules should I check before starting fibreglass repair work?
Check public liability insurance, including cover for work on customers' boats, and your state's workplace safety rules for resins, solvents and dust. You need an ABN, and check whether your state requires a licence for work on bathrooms or vehicles.
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