Printer repair bench from home

Home offices, sole traders, small businesses and local IT support firms that would rather repair than replace.

A fixed diagnostic fee plus repair labour and parts. You can also refurbish and resell used machines, or take overflow work from IT support companies.

• Detailed bench repair and soldering basics
• Diagnosing faults methodically
• Online listings and customer messaging

• Check whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence or has zoning limits on customer visits
• Check your home insurance covers business equipment, and consider commercial general liability
• Check how to dispose of old toner, ink and electronic waste under your provincial rules
• Repair warranties and returns, so set clear terms in writing
• Quebec businesses may need French-language customer materials

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $800 to $3,500, depending on your bench tools, test equipment and parts stock. Treat this as an estimate and price your own setup carefully before you buy equipment or advertise your service.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around $500 to $3,000, depending on how many hours you put in, how many repairs you take on and how you find customers. Revenue is not profit, so allow for parts and running costs.

Check whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence or limits customer visits. Check that your home insurance covers business equipment and consider commercial general liability. Also check how your province treats toner, ink and electronic waste, and set repair warranty terms in writing.