On-Site document shredding with a portable shredder
Shred paper at the client's door with a portable heavy-duty machine, so they watch it destroyed.
- C$2.5k-12k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Estimates for a small start in Canada, not guarantees.
What it is
You bring a portable commercial shredder in a van to small offices, home-based professionals and estate clear-outs, and shred their paper on the spot while they watch. It suits one-off purges and small jobs, and it is a cheaper way in than a full shredding truck.
Your first three steps
- Research portable commercial shredders and check what weight and volume they handle per hour
- Set a per-box price and call-out minimum by comparing local shredding companies, and create a simple certificate of destruction
- Offer a first shred at a discount to local accountants, law offices and property managers, and ask for referrals
Who pays
Small offices, lawyers and accountants, landlords and property managers, families clearing an estate, and anyone with a pile of old records.
How it makes money
Priced per box or per hour with a minimum call-out fee. Regular clients can book quarterly or annual purges.
Skills that help
- Comfortable with lifting and running machinery
- Clear, trustworthy communication with clients
- Local marketing and quoting
Watch out for
- Commercial general liability insurance, and check whether your cover includes data or privacy risks
- Noise, dust and safety around a powerful machine, including hearing protection and safe handling
- Clients' privacy obligations under PIPEDA or provincial laws may shape what they ask of you, so check what applies
- Winter: cold weather can affect machines and loading, so plan indoor power access and a heated van or storage
- A vehicle and a suitable power supply at job sites
Deep research report · Canada
Everything you need to start: on-site document shredding with a portable shredder
Researched with live web search for Canada: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a portable shredding business?
Startup costs are typically estimated at around $2,500 to $12,000 CAD, depending on the machine you choose, your vehicle and your insurance. Check whether your commercial general liability cover includes data or privacy risks.
What should I check before offering on-site shredding in Canada?
Check that your insurance suits the work, and plan for noise, dust and safe handling, including hearing protection. Clients' privacy obligations under PIPEDA or provincial laws may shape what they ask of you, so check what applies.
How much can a mobile shredding business earn?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $600 to $4,000 CAD, depending on how many jobs you book, your pricing and your local area. Plan on at least about 8 hours a week. Winter weather can affect machines and loading.
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