Home-Based watch and clock repair

Private owners with family heirlooms or everyday watches, collectors, and jewellers or antique dealers who outsource repairs.

Fixed prices for common jobs like battery changes and full services, quoted prices for restorations, plus regular bulk work from jewellers.

• Steady hands and fine detail work
• Patience and problem solving
• Knowledge of watch movements, learned through training
• Clear quoting and customer communication

• Check with your local council whether a home-based business needs approval
• Public liability insurance, and cover for customers' items in your care (ask about 'bailee' or goods in custody cover)
• Valuable heirlooms: photograph items on arrival, keep written job records and store them securely
• Sourcing parts for older or rare movements can be slow and costly, so quote carefully
• Register for an ABN, and check when GST registration becomes required

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on the tools, parts stock and workbench set-up you choose. Training in watch movements may be an extra cost to consider.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $500 to $3,500, depending on how many jobs you take on and how complex they are. Sourcing parts for older or rare movements can be slow and costly, so quote carefully.

Check with your local council whether a home-based business needs approval. Also check public liability insurance and cover for customers' items in your care, keep written job records, and check ABN and GST requirements.