Home-based small appliance repair bench

Households who would rather repair than replace, people with older or sentimental appliances, and landlords or small offices with a few items.

A fixed quote or flat diagnostic fee, plus parts and labour for each repair. Some repairers also resell tested, refurbished appliances.

• Basic electrical and mechanical know-how
• Patient fault-finding
• Clear, honest quoting
• Sourcing spare parts

• Rules on electrical work differ by state, so check with your state's electrical licensing body what you can do without a licence
• Public liability and product liability insurance, as a faulty repair could cause a fire or shock
• Check with your local council whether you need approval to run a business from home
• Some items are not worth fixing or are unsafe to repair, so be ready to say no and to test every item before returning it
• Register for an ABN, and for GST once turnover reaches the threshold

Startup costs are typically around $500 to $2,500, depending on your tools, testing equipment and the spare parts you stock. These are estimates, and working from a home bench keeps overheads low.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around $300 to $2,000, depending on how many repairs you take on and what you charge. These are estimates only, and revenue is before the cost of parts.

Rules on electrical work differ by state, so check with your state's electrical licensing body what you can do without a licence. Also check public liability and product liability insurance, local council approval for a home business, and ABN and GST registration.