Mobile heavy truck mechanic

Owner-operators, small trucking companies, local fleets, farms and construction firms that can't afford downtime.

Hourly labour rate plus a mark-up on parts, often with a call-out fee. Regular fleet clients give repeat work and scheduled servicing.

• Heavy truck mechanical and diagnostic skills
• Trade certification or solid experience
• Reliable and quick to respond

• Many provinces regulate the heavy-duty mechanic trade, so check with your provincial apprenticeship or trades authority
• Safety inspections on commercial vehicles may need an authorized facility or inspector, check your province's rules
• Commercial general liability and garage insurance covering work at customers' sites
• Municipal rules on working at roadsides and disposing of used oil and fluids
• Winter work outdoors is hard, plan for cold-weather breakdown demand and your own safety

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $20,000 to $70,000, depending on the service vehicle you choose, your tools and diagnostic equipment, and how fully you fit it out before taking your first jobs.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around $5,000 to $25,000, depending on how many hours you work, the types of jobs you take and how steady your fleet and farm customers are. This is revenue before costs.

Check with your provincial apprenticeship or trades authority, as many provinces regulate the heavy-duty mechanic trade. Also check whether safety inspections need an authorized facility or inspector, and confirm insurance covers work at customers' sites.