Home-based jewellery repair bench

Individuals with treasured pieces, plus local jewellers, pawn shops, op shops and gift stores that outsource repairs.

Fixed price per repair job, with quotes for bigger work. Trade work from shops brings steady volume at lower prices per job.

• Fine hand skills and patience
• Basic soldering and jewellery bench skills
• Careful record keeping of customers' valuables

• Check with your local council whether you need approval to run a business from home
• Get insurance that covers customers' items in your care (such as public liability and goods in your custody), and check what your home policy excludes
• Fire and fume safety when soldering and using pickling solutions or polishing compounds
• Keep clear receipts and photos of items on drop-off to avoid disputes
• Secure storage and the risk of theft, so be careful about publicising your address

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $2,000 to $8,000, depending on the bench tools you already have, your soldering and polishing equipment, secure storage and insurance.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $600 to $3,500, depending on how many repairs you take on and whether local shops send you trade work. The estimate assumes about 8 hours a week or more.

Check with your local council whether you need approval to run a business from home. Also check insurance that covers customers' items in your care, what your home policy excludes, and fire and fume safety when soldering.