Mail-In watch and clock restoration

Collectors, owners of heirloom pieces and dealers who live far from a specialist repairer.

A fixed or quoted price per job plus return shipping and insurance. Specialising, for example in vintage wristwatches, can support higher prices.

• Skilled watch or clock repair
• Photography and clear online descriptions
• Careful record keeping and packing

• Items lost or damaged in the post, so check courier insurance limits and declared value rules
• Check your business insurance covers customers' property in your care
• Cross-border customers can bring customs, duties and different tax rules, so consider Canada-only at first
• Check GST/HST and provincial sales tax rules for services and for shipping charges
• Check home-based business rules with your municipality

Startup costs are estimated at typically around $2,500 to $10,000, depending on your tools, website and packing supplies. Check courier insurance limits and declared value rules so you know how items in the post are covered.

Monthly revenue is estimated at typically around $800 to $4,000, depending on how many pieces you repair and what you quote. The idea needs at least around 10 hours a week, and these figures are before your costs.

Check courier insurance limits and that your business insurance covers customers' property in your care. Consider serving Canada only at first, since cross-border orders bring customs, duties and different tax rules. Check GST/HST on services and shipping.