Home shed toolroom for jigs and repairs

Local engineering firms with overflow work, small manufacturers, maintenance managers and inventors needing prototype tooling.

Hourly rate or fixed price per job plus materials. Small, quick-turnaround jobs suit this format best.

• Machining or toolmaking trade experience
• Reading engineering drawings
• Careful measuring and finishing
• Reliable communication with customers

• Council approval for home-based business, including noise, hours and vehicle visits
• Public liability and product liability insurance, and check whether your home policy covers business use
• Electrical capacity and safe machine set-up in a shed, including guarding and ventilation
• Limited capacity and size of work; it can be hard to grow without moving to a unit
• Check any restraint or conflict clauses with your current employer if you work in the trade

Startup costs are typically around $8,000 to $40,000, depending on the machines and measuring gear you already have and what you need to buy. These are estimates, so check the condition of any used equipment.

Check council approval for a home-based business, including noise, hours and vehicle visits. Also check whether your home policy covers business use, public liability and product liability insurance, shed electrical capacity, and any restraint clauses with your employer.

Monthly revenue is typically around $800 to $4,000, depending on the jobs and overflow work you win. Estimates suggest at least about 8 hours a week. Capacity is limited, so growth can be hard without moving to a unit.