Mobile scale repair and calibration business

Butchers, delis, bakeries, produce sellers, farms, warehouses, labs, pharmacies and small manufacturers that need accurate, compliant scales.

Call-out and labour charges for repairs, a fixed fee per scale for calibration and certification, and repeat annual service contracts for businesses with several scales.

• Basic electronics and mechanical fault-finding
• Careful, accurate measurement and record keeping
• Customer service and reliable scheduling

• Scales used for trade generally fall under trade measurement rules, so check which licence or approval you need before certifying anything
• Test weights and equipment need their own traceable calibration, which is an ongoing cost
• Public liability insurance, and workers compensation once you hire, so check your state scheme
• A van or ute set up to carry heavy weights safely, and care with manual handling

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around $8,000 to $30,000, depending on your van or ute, tools and test weights. Test weights and equipment need their own traceable calibration, which is an ongoing cost to plan for.

Scales used for trade generally fall under trade measurement rules, so check which licence or approval you need before certifying anything. Also check public liability insurance, and workers compensation under your state scheme once you hire.

Estimates suggest monthly revenue is typically around $3,000 to $12,000, depending on how many customers you service and how often. The estimates assume at least about 20 hours a week, with careful scheduling across shops, farms and labs.