Mobile scale sales and servicing

Sell, install and service weighing scales at butchers, cafes, labs and warehouses across your region.

Startup costA$8k to A$30k
Monthly revenueA$3k to A$15k
Time needed15+ h/week
First incomeMonths
  • A$8k-30k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
  • Licence or permit needed

Estimates for a small start in Australia, not guarantees.

What it is

You supply counter, bench and floor scales to local businesses and visit their premises to install, repair, calibrate and, if licensed, verify them for trade use.

Your first three steps

  1. Contact two or three scale manufacturers or wholesalers about reseller terms and technical training
  2. Check with the National Measurement Institute what is needed to verify or certify scales used for trade in your state
  3. Visit local butchers, cafes and warehouses to ask who services their scales now and what frustrates them
Who pays

Butchers, delis, cafes, produce shops, farms, small labs, warehouses and workshops that need accurate weighing.

How it makes money

Margin on scales sold, plus call-out and service fees, repair work and repeat annual servicing contracts.

Skills that help
  • Technical and mechanical aptitude
  • Careful, accurate work
  • Building trade relationships with business owners
Watch out for
  • Scales used for trade generally need to be approved and verified, so check the National Measurement Institute rules and any licence needed before offering this service
  • Public liability insurance, and product liability for items you sell
  • Test weights and calibration gear can be costly and need regular checking
  • A ute or van is needed to carry stock, tools and heavy test weights

Deep research report · Australia

Everything you need to start: mobile scale sales and servicing

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
Ready in about 2 minutes · one-off payment, tax included

See a full sample report

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to start a mobile scale servicing business?

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $8,000 to $30,000, depending on your stock and equipment. Test weights and calibration gear can be costly and need regular checking, and you will need a ute or van to carry stock, tools and heavy weights.

Do I need a licence to sell and service trade scales?

Scales used for trade generally need to be approved and verified, so check the National Measurement Institute rules and any licence needed before offering this service. Also check public liability insurance, and product liability for items you sell.

How much can a scale sales and servicing business earn?

Estimates suggest monthly revenue typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on your region, customer base and how much you sell versus service. Plan for at least 15 hours a week, and build relationships with local business owners.

Other ways to run this business

Similar trades ideas

More ideas →