Camera repair and servicing shop

Photographers, students, families with older cameras, camera collectors, and local studios or schools that need gear kept working.

Diagnostic and labour fees per repair, parts mark-up, and quick-service jobs. Small add-ons such as straps, batteries and cleaning kits bring in extra sales.

• Camera and lens repair experience
• Customer service at the counter
• Basic bookkeeping and managing a repair queue

• Check your municipality for business licence, zoning and signage rules before signing a lease
• Commercial general liability and contents insurance, including cover for customers' equipment while in your care
• Register for GST/HST (and PST or QST where relevant) once you pass the small supplier threshold, and check provincial rules
• WCB/WSIB coverage if you hire staff, with rules varying by province
• Walk-in trade can be slow at first, so keep mail-in work and online listings going
• In Quebec, check French-language rules for signs and customer documents

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $10,000 to $40,000 CAD, depending on your premises, repair equipment and any stock of accessories or used gear. Lease terms and fit-out choices will affect where you land in that range.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $4,000 to $16,000 CAD, depending on your repair volume, pricing and whether you add accessory or used gear sales. Walk-in trade can be slow at first, so mail-in work helps.

Check your municipality for business licence, zoning and signage rules before signing a lease. Also check commercial general liability and contents insurance covering customers' equipment, GST/HST registration and provincial rules, WCB/WSIB if you hire, and French-language rules in Quebec.