Printer servicing and toner supply round

Small offices, home-based professionals, churches, clubs and local shops that need repairs or regular supplies.

Callout and repair fees, monthly maintenance plans and margin on toner, ink and paper delivered to regular customers.

• Fixing printers and diagnosing faults
• Organising routes and orders
• Friendly, dependable customer service

• Commercial general liability insurance, especially when working on customers' equipment
• Check with your municipality about home-based business rules if you store stock at home
• Warranty rules: some manufacturers limit who can service machines under warranty
• Check provincial rules for recycling used toner cartridges and electronics
• Customers may switch to cheaper online suppliers, so service and speed matter
• Winter driving can slow deliveries, so build in extra time

Estimated startup costs are typically around $800 to $4,000, depending on tools, parts and how much toner and paper stock you carry. This is a smaller business than a full reseller, with little or no stock of new machines.

Estimates suggest monthly revenue typically around $600 to $3,000, depending on how many clients and routes you serve. Customers may switch to cheaper online suppliers, so service and speed matter. Expect at least about 8 hours a week.

Check commercial general liability insurance, especially when working on customers' equipment, and home-based business rules with your municipality if you store stock at home. Also check warranty rules, since some manufacturers limit who can service machines, and provincial rules for recycling used toner cartridges and electronics.