Walk-In fax and document counter

Walk-in individuals, newcomers, seniors, tradespeople, and nearby small offices, clinics and landlords without their own fax.

Fee per page for sending and receiving, plus add-on scanning, copying and email-to-fax. Monthly incoming-fax numbers can bring steady income.

• Friendly customer service
• Handling confidential paperwork
• Basic office equipment troubleshooting

• Municipal business licence and zoning for a storefront, so check with your municipality
• Privacy rules for personal and health information, check federal and provincial requirements
• Declining fax demand. Rent and a lease commitment are the main risk, so keep fixed costs low
• Commercial general liability insurance and a landlord's requirements
• Collect and remit GST/HST once you pass the small supplier threshold
• A fax or phone line adds ongoing monthly costs

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $5,000 to $20,000, depending on premises, equipment, fit-out and insurance. Monthly revenue is estimated at around $1,500 to $6,000, depending on your location, foot traffic and the other services you offer.

Check your municipality's business licence and zoning rules for a storefront. Also check federal and provincial privacy requirements for personal and health information, commercial general liability insurance, your landlord's requirements, and GST/HST registration once you pass the small supplier threshold.

Estimates start at about 25 hours a week. Fax demand is declining, and rent and a lease commitment are the main risks, so keep fixed costs low. A fax or phone line also adds ongoing monthly costs.