Mobile machine maintenance service

Small manufacturers, packaging and food processing plants, joinery and metal workshops, and farms or depots with machinery.

Hourly or call-out rates for one-off jobs, plus monthly or quarterly service contracts that give steady repeat income.

• Mechanical or fitter trade background
• Fault finding and careful inspection
• Clear reporting and customer communication

• Electrical, gas or refrigeration work usually needs a state licence, check your state's licensing body before taking it on
• Public liability insurance and, if needed, professional indemnity cover
• Site safety inductions, isolation and lock-out procedures, and any high-risk work tickets the site requires
• Workers compensation insurance once you hire anyone
• Warranty conditions, some machine makers require their own approved technicians

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around $4,000 to $20,000, depending on your vehicle, tools and insurance. You travel to customers' sites, so you are not renting premises.

Check whether electrical, gas or refrigeration work needs a state licence with your licensing body. Also check public liability and professional indemnity insurance, site inductions, isolation and lock-out procedures, high-risk work tickets, and manufacturers' warranty conditions.

Estimates suggest monthly revenue is typically around $2,500 to $12,000, depending on how many regular customers and visits you secure. Estimates suggest at least around 15 hours a week, with a short report after each visit.