Home studio music lessons

Parents of school-age children, teenagers, and adults learning for fun or returning to music.

A fee per lesson (usually 30, 45 or 60 minutes), often billed monthly or by term so income is steady. Extra income can come from exam prep and recital fees.

• Playing or singing well enough to teach beginners
• Patience and clear explanation
• Planning lessons for different ages and levels

• Check whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence or has zoning rules about visiting clients
• Check your home insurance covers business visitors, or look at commercial general liability insurance
• Working with children: check whether a police record check (vulnerable sector check) is expected by parents or required locally
• Register as a sole proprietor with your province and check when you need a GST/HST number
• Evening and after-school demand, so daytime income may be limited

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around $200 to $1,500, depending on what instruments, music materials and room setup you already have. Plan for a quiet space at home with a regular weekly slot for each pupil.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around $300 to $2,000, depending on how many pupils you teach and how many hours you offer. Estimates suggest starting at around 5 hours a week. Demand is mostly evenings and after school, so daytime income may be limited.

Check whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence or has zoning rules about visiting clients. Check your home insurance covers business visitors, or look at commercial general liability. Check police record check expectations for children, and when to register for GST/HST.