Home workshop instrument repair

Hobbyist and gigging musicians, music teachers, parents of school band students and local music shops that send work out.

A fixed price for common jobs such as setups, or an hourly labour rate for bigger repairs, plus the cost of parts and materials.

• Fine hand skills and patience
• Knowing how your chosen instruments are built and played
• Clear quotes and good record keeping

• Check whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence or has zoning limits on customers visiting
• Commercial general liability insurance, and cover for customers' instruments while in your care (sometimes called bailee or care, custody and control cover)
• Valuable or vintage instruments, so agree the scope of work in writing and photograph the instrument before you start
• Check your home insurance still applies when you run a business from home
• Workshop ventilation when using glues, solvents and finishes

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $1,500 to $6,000, depending on which instruments you repair, the tools and parts you need and how you set up your workshop. These are estimates, so plan around your own specialty.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $500 to $3,000, depending on the instruments you repair, your pricing and whether local music shops or teachers send you work. That is revenue before your own costs.

Check whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence or limits customer visits. Also check liability insurance, cover for customers' instruments in your care, whether your home insurance still applies, and ventilation when using glues, solvents and finishes.